Eye on extremism: Absurdity of the French ban on Islamic veils

This contentious law will pose a conundrum for the French government due to the challenges faced in its implementation. If security concern such as identification of people by face is the prime motive for this ban, then the exclusions such as motorcycle helmets, traditional ceremonies such as weddings or Carnival costumes are utterly nonsensical.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Miami Islam Examiner
By Mansura Minhas | April 28th, 2011

As the French ban on the Veil took effect earlier this month, its ludicrousness became apparent right away. This is the first ever law enacted in the world to challenge the veil. No matter how much this law is guised under the pretense of upholding France’s secularism, it reeks with bigotry and racism. In an era where Muslims are struggling to cope with negative stereotypes, there is an ever-increasing need to build bridges rather than implement extreme measures which would further alienate Muslims. As numerous women have testified to their free will in adorning the veil, it is inconceivable to expect them to shed it or emigrate from France, as some of the opponents of the veil advocate.


President Sarkozy might have temporarily succeeded in diverting attention from the core issues that ail the French nation by targeting the approx. 2,000 women who wear the veil. However, this attempt is bound to fail and will not boost his waning popularity.

This contentious law will pose a conundrum for the French government due to the challenges faced in its implementation. If security concern such as identification of people by face is the prime motive for this ban, then the exclusions such as motorcycle helmets, traditional ceremonies such as weddings or Carnival costumes are utterly nonsensical.

Unless this law is reversed, it would continue to stigmatize the Muslims residing in France and open floodgates of discrimination and bias against other minorities as well. Once bigotry makes inroads, it spares none and with the passage of time consumes all and sundry. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy and it inevitably applies to every citizen. It is hoped that sanity will prevail and the French government adjourns the ban.


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