Well I was just sitting here enjoying my morning (or afternoon really) coffee, flipping through this week's Time, when I came across this little snippet.
I couldn't believe what I was reading. France has always been a very liberal-minded country, which makes this whole idea come right out of left field to me.
On one hand you have the issue of women's rights. Seeing the burqa as a sign of "subservience" is true in a way. Forcing women to shroud their faces and bodies has become just that in some Middle Eastern countries (not all, mind you).
But on the other hand, what about religious tolerance? This is what has me scratching my head. While the burqa itself is not specifically referenced in the Qur'an, it's always been considered a part of hijab (the modest dress requirements for Muslims).
It seems to me personally that this is absolutely ridiculious. Wearing a burqa in France is COMPLETELY different from being forced to hide yourself under the Islamic laws of other Middle Eastern countries like Iran or (formerly) Afghanistan. French citizens don't fall under the often times tyrannical dress code of those ME countries, so wearing a burqa and following hijab isn't hurting anyone. If they ban the burqa, why aren't other religious accessories being banned? Why not ban the little golden Crucifix necklace that millions of people wear while you're at it? It's the same exact thing.
So, how does everyone feel on this little bit of news? Not sure how many people I'm going to attract with a post about Islamic traditions, but I'll give it a shot.
Time Magazine said:Banning the Burqa?
A group of French lawmakers is urging the government to consider outlawing the head-to-toe garment worn by some Muslim women, arguing that it goes against the country's secular traditions. Now, in a June 22 address, President Nicolas Sarkozy has weighed in, calling the burqa a "sign of subservience" that "will not be welcome on French soil." France, home to Western Europe's largest Muslim population, banned headscarves in public schools in 2004
I couldn't believe what I was reading. France has always been a very liberal-minded country, which makes this whole idea come right out of left field to me.
On one hand you have the issue of women's rights. Seeing the burqa as a sign of "subservience" is true in a way. Forcing women to shroud their faces and bodies has become just that in some Middle Eastern countries (not all, mind you).
But on the other hand, what about religious tolerance? This is what has me scratching my head. While the burqa itself is not specifically referenced in the Qur'an, it's always been considered a part of hijab (the modest dress requirements for Muslims).
It seems to me personally that this is absolutely ridiculious. Wearing a burqa in France is COMPLETELY different from being forced to hide yourself under the Islamic laws of other Middle Eastern countries like Iran or (formerly) Afghanistan. French citizens don't fall under the often times tyrannical dress code of those ME countries, so wearing a burqa and following hijab isn't hurting anyone. If they ban the burqa, why aren't other religious accessories being banned? Why not ban the little golden Crucifix necklace that millions of people wear while you're at it? It's the same exact thing.
So, how does everyone feel on this little bit of news? Not sure how many people I'm going to attract with a post about Islamic traditions, but I'll give it a shot.