“The burqa is not a religious symbol. It’s a symbol of subjugation. And I want to say this clearly: It will not be welcome on French territory. In this country we cannot accept women imprisoned in a cage... (France 24)That was French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday, addressing Parliament on the idea of banning the traditional Muslim dress in public places in France. The comments sparked controversy amongst the international Muslim community.
We begin with French daily newspaper
Libération. It calls the move hypocritical.
[Newsy.com’s Translation]
“The prospect of a ban on the burqa and niqab aroused the opposition. ‘The State did exactly what it accuses of Islam, giving itself the right to dictate what women should wear.’”
The Times of India brings in perspective from the founder of an Islamic organization who questions Sarkozy’s statements.
“How much Islam does Sarkozy know? Has he ever tried to read the Quran and find out the holy book’s stand on burqa?"
But
The Telegraph looks differently. It defends the decision and applauds the bold move.
“It is a rare example of a government setting a moral example and standing up for freedom: a girl’s freedom to choose whether she wants to spend the rest of her life in a kind of religious apartheid or whether she wants to integrate more closely with the host culture.”
Finally,
ABC News Australia looks at what’s likely going to happen, bringing us this perspective from a Muslim magazine editor in Britain.
(AUDIO - ABCNewsAustralia, + VO from France24)
“It will not create integrated French citizens, it will create a division in France that will be very unfortunate and deny women their right to participate fully in French authority.”
(AOC)
So what do you think? Is the French government going to far too protect their secular views or is it in the best interests for Muslim women?
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