What justifies the proposed ban on the Muslim burka?
French lawmakers are once again considering a ban on burkas or full veils worn by Muslim women.
Last Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy controversially told lawmakers that the traditional Muslim garment was “not welcome” in France, according to CNN.
The right of Muslim women to cover themselves is fiercely debated in France, which has a large Muslim minority but also a staunchly secular constitution.
In 2004, the French parliament passed legislation banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves in state schools, prompting widespread Muslim protests. The law also banned other conspicuous religious symbols including Sikh turbans, large Christian crucifixes and Jewish skull caps.
Despite those who call the proposed ban racist, some lawmakers, who have called for burkas to be banned completely, claim the burkas are degrading to women, according to CNN.
Housing Minister Fadela Amara, a Muslim-born women’s rights campaigner has called the garment “a kind of tomb for women.”
In order for the ban be enacted, lawmakers must prove that burkas are being “imposed” on Muslim women against their will, according to the Independent.com.
The long debate in France represents a clash in cultural values that exists for Muslims whenever they are in the minority. CNN reported that Dutch lawmakers have also tried a ban in 2005.
At its core, this is a philosophical debate about the right and the wrong way to treat cultures we may not necessarily understand.
Do we respect a culture for what it is or do we outlaw certain aspects of a culture based upon basic human values? Does you think the burka aspect of the Muslim culture violates basic human values? Is it fair for a culture to impede on another just because they are in the majority?
Some may even argue that no one can really debate whether wearing a burka is right or wrong because it is a value that is culturally distinct. But if you believe in a higher law that exists outside of cultural values, are the French righteous in banning these burkas? Or are they simply trying to interfere with a culture because they don’t understand it?
Wasnt the whole “its a religious culture thing” used when that father stabbed his daughter to death for dating a black guy. He did it out of lvoe for her he said. Love for his beliefs which she had forget…The arguement was “well they come from a different culture that allows this sort of thing to happen so we have to accept it etc..”
I suppose the French are thinking, hey you live here now not the middle east so do like we do, live by our rules or go back to your own nation.. Sounds racist I agree but France may see it as something they must do to preserve their own culture.. Maybe the whole “melting pot” concept doesnt much appeal to them..
No I’m not agreeing with it I’m just thinking outloud.
Just one problem with that, Bubba — defining what constitutes “true American principles….” etc. is enough of a slippery slope here in America. This is France, where our principles don’t apply - as well they shouldn’t.
I have gone on record to say that I dislike this ban, but as Anonaman points out, apparently France is being consistent, as long as they ban the outward display of adherence to other religions as well. The argument of what the burqa represents regarding women’s freedom/subjugation is a moot point, as it is applied in France, where no woman is forced by law to wear anything she chooses not to wear (and from what I hear of French beaches and network TV after 8:00 p.m. or so, they may indeed choose to wear nothing at all, God bless ‘em….). If anybody is “imposing” anything here, it is the women upon themselves.
So, while I instinctively don’t approve of the ban, if the government of France feels compelled by ecumenical/humanist tradition’s sake to outlaw what they consider a radical expression of which they disapprove, it is not for us or any other country to second-guess or critique their decision.
it is what they wear for their religion. A free nation has no right to ban anything that isn’t dangerous to others. I personally feel it is degrading to women, but honestly, that is their problem. Don’t underestimate the brainwashing power of Religion, Family and Tradition. The women probably see it as their duty and are happy to do it. If we raised our kids to wear pickles on their head because it will make Jesus love them, then they will probably grow up loving to do it and fight you to the death to keep their right to do so.
idiots.
There can be no justification, except in courtrooms or police stations where certain items of clothing can be used to conceal weapons. But my question is this: Do we want this type of heavy-handed government in America? Because it’s coming, unless we stop it. We are always told the European Union is a wonderful model for democratic government. Pinheads on U.S. campuses point to Europe’s collectivist approach to health care and environmental challenges. The only problem is that individual freedoms get lost in the shuffle. Do you relish the prospect of individuals being prosecuted for holocaust denial or journalists being jailed for fomenting discord? That’s what you get with Euro-syle international law, the kind of law at least three of our Supreme Court Justices have said should be taken into account in deciding cases on SCOTUS’ docket.
What I heard is that there is more to this than simply banning burkas. The French government has also recently banned covering the face in any public venue so that biometrics can be used to identify individuals (anyone else see the 1 + 1 in this yet?). Having a burka would obscure facial features and foil biometric scanners used in facial recognition. If they were truly banning religious icons, they’d have to ban crucifixes and magens David, as well. We don’t see that happening.
I believe a burka is a symbol of slavery. The muslim woman has been beaten down through history to accept their slavery through their religouis text.
Ask the question, what is the real reason for covering your entire body from view in public? Are your men so insecure and afriad you might tempt another man by showing yourself? What are you hideing from? I “culture” is worth this? I believe it is an extreme just as the “Britney nakedness” is the other extreme in the western “culture” Both are wrong in my “opinion’ but Britney is free—-muslim weman are NOT.
Boyd,
It’s not France, but that one little 3 ft. tall narcissist, Nicolas Sarkozy. What a crazy man and hopefully he is not as crazy as another little short narcissist who was from over that part of the world.
Any discussion on a “what if” seems rather dumb. How about a tangible subject?
Joe L - you’re quickly becoming my favorite poster around here.
This is an issue of human rights. I think we all agree that religious freedom is a basic human right, and that expression is a huge and major part of that. France is going way too far - regardless of their equal opportunity disenfranchisement.
France is no better than the oppressive religious sects that require this dress on their women. In an attempt to create equality, they are denying it. Equality after all cannot be forced or created, only offered. What next? How about banning the stay-at-home mom - that seems to be a symbol of old-time inequality. Let’s free women by forcing them to go to work.
France needs UN pressure just like every other human rights violator on the planet.
On a side note, I am very sensetive to the islamification of European culture, and do forsee backlash like this moving forward. But, I don’t think discrimination is the answer.
Also, if these women think they are honoring god by wearing this, who are we to say that they are not “free.” I do a lot of things that I believe honor God, and don’t care who may think that I’m not free to choose to do so. How ’bout we make tithing to a church illegal because it’s the church forcing people to hand over money. Ridiculous.