French Senate Votes to Ban the Burqa
- Posted on September 14, 2010 at 6:58pm by
Meredith Jessup
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PARIS – The French Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill banning the burqa-style Islamic veil on public streets and other places, a measure that affects less than 2,000 women but that has been widely seen as a symbolic defense of French values.
The Senate voted 246 to 1 in favor of the bil
l in a final step toward making the ban a law — though it now must pass muster with France’sconstitutional watchdog. The bill was overwhelmingly passed in July in the lower house, the National Assembly.
Many Muslims believe the legislation is one more blow to France’s No. 2 religion, and risks raising the level of Islamophobia in a country where mosques, like synagogues, are sporadic targets of hate. However, the law‘s many proponents say it will preserve the nation’s values, including its secular foundations and a notion of fraternity that is contrary to those who hide their faces.
In an attempt to head off any legal challenges over arguments it tramples on religious and other freedoms, the leaders of both parliamentary houses said they had asked a special body to ensure it passes constitutional muster. TheConstitutional Council has one month to rule.
The bill is worded to trip safely through legal minefields. For instance, the words “women,“ ”Muslim“ and ”veil” are not even mentioned in any of its seven articles.
“This law was the object of long and complex debates,” the Senate president, Gerard Larcher, and National Assembly head Bernard Accoyer said in a joint statement announcing their move. They said they want to be certain there is “no uncertainty” about its conforming to the constitution.
France would be the first European country to pass such a law, though others, notably neighboring Belgium, are considering laws against face-covering veils, seen as conflicting with the local culture.
“Our duty concerning such fundamental principles of our society is to speak with one voice,” said JusticeMinister Michele Alliot-Marie, opening a less than 5-hour-long debate ahead of the vote.
The measure, carried by President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative party, was passed by the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, on July 13.
It would outlaw face-covering veils, including those worn by tourists from the Middle East, on public streets and elsewhere. The bill set fines of euro150 ($185) or citizenship classes for any woman caught covering her face, or both. It also carries stiff penalties for anyone, such as husbands or brothers, convicted of forcing the veil on a woman. The euro30,000 ($38,400) fine and year in prison are doubled if the victim is a minor.
The bill is aimed at ensuring gender equality, women’s dignity and security, as well as upholding France’s secular values — and its way of life.
Some women, like Kenza Drider, have vowed to wear a full-face veil despite a law. Drider says she prefers to flirt with arrest rather than bow to what she says is an injustice.
“It is a law that is unlawful,” said Drider, a mother of four from Avignon, in southern France. “It is … against individual liberty, freedom of religion, liberty of conscience,” she said.
“I will continue to live my life as I always have with my full veil,” she told Associated Press Television News.
Drider was the only woman who wears a full-faced veil to be interviewed by a parliamentary panel that spent six months deciding whether to move ahead with legislation.
Muslim leaders concur that Islam does not require a woman to hide her face. However, they have voiced concerns that a law forbidding them to do so would stigmatize the French Muslim population, which at an estimated 5 million is the largest in western Europe. Numerous Muslim women who wear the face-covering veil have said they are being increasingly harassed in the streets.
However, the bill has its Muslim defenders, like a women’s rights group active in heavily immigrant neighborhoods.
“How can we allow the burqa here and at the same time fight the Taliban and all the fundamentalist groups across the world?” said the president of NPNS, Sihem Habchi. “I‘m Muslim and I can’t accept that because I’m a woman I have to disappear,” she told APTN.
Raphael Liogier, a sociology professor who heads the Observatory of the Religious in Aix-en-Provence, says that Muslims in France are already targeted by hate-mongers and the ban on face-covering veils “will officialize Islamophobia.”
“With the identity crisis that France has today, the scapegoat is the Muslim,” he told The Associated Press.
Indeed, the justice minister said that the French “ask about the future of their society, of their nation“ as they ”see the internationalization of our society.”
“The Senate must guarantee the permanence of our values … which forge our identity,” she said.
Ironically, instead of helping some women integrate, the measure may keep them cloistered in their homes to avoid exposing their faces in public.
“I won’t go out. I’ll send people to shop for me. I’ll stay home, very simply,” said Oum Al Khyr, who wears a “niqab” that hides all but the eyes.
“I’ll spend my time praying,“ said the single woman ”over age 45″ who lives in Montreuil on Paris’ eastern edge. “I’ll exclude myself from society when I wanted to live in it.”
The law banning the veil would take effect only after a six-month period designed to convince women to show their faces.
The Interior Ministry estimates the number of women who fully cover themselves at some 1,900, with a quarter of them converts to Islam and two-thirds with French nationality.
The French parliament wasted no time in working to get a ban in place, opening an inquiry shortly after the French president said in June 2009 that full veils that hide the face are “not welcome” in France.
It was unclear, however, how police would enforce the law, from handing out fines to hunting down any men who might force the veil on their wives and daughters.
“I will accept the fine with great pleasure,” said Drider, vowing to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if she gets caught.
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Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 10:29ambehindblueeyes: You asked about the American Indians and the Biblical House of Israel, plus the fact that America is the great melting pot. Thank you for asking. If you look back at the older stories on this site I wrote more about it in “Is the GZ Imam Reconsidering Mosque Plans?” on page 1, I believe.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 6:50amIsn’t it ironic that the charge of trying to make us more like Europe is so often levelled at Liberals, when it is actually ConservativeS who want the US to be a a racist exclusionary nation-state like France. It is Conservatives who want laws that protect “Americanness” rather than protecting minority rights.
I fully expect Conservatives to start announcing “Nous Sommes Tous Francais!”
Report Post »Freedomwatcherguy
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 5:04pmPublius,
Report Post »I may be wrong but sometimes I get the impression your arguments hinge (or unhinge, maybe, on a belief that all minorities and divergent views must be accepted no matter what.
My take on this whole Islamic threat issue is that the founders of this country who went out of their way to make the concept of the separation of church and state a core principle were looking at the history of Europe and all of the damage done by the lack of separation. I doubt they even imagined that other religions might come into play. But the concept of separation itself is founded upon the teachings of Jesus, who made it clear that his message was strictly spiritual, saying things like “My kingdom is not of this world”. He never sought an earthly kingdom, and in fact was betrayed by a disgruntled follower when he realized his leader had no intention of leading a revolt against the Roman rule. The founders probably had no inkling of the possibility of Islam ever becoming an issue that would have to be grappled with in this context. Upon examination (albeit not profound) of the Islamic scriptures, together with the biography of Mohamed, it seems that there is no core teaching of Islam that is consistent with the separation of mosque and state. Quite the contrary. Sharia, as I have come to understand it, functions as an all-encompassing social and political framework or constitution that tolerates no other viewpoints and seeks to include the entire world as its jurisdiction. Therefore, I believe it is erroneous for us today to extend the same unquestioning acceptance to Islam that the founders granted to the Christian church in their time. I believe we do so at our peril, and I fear that our lack of discrimination in the application of “freedom of religion” in this instance is being used against us to great effect. This lack of discrimination, called “political correctness” is effectively rendering us blind and paralyzed in the face of what I have come to feel is a legitimate threat to our freedom. All comments and replies very welcome!
A Patriot
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 12:11amThats OK France the US will give them full Towel rights. There won’t be no Towelban in America.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 10:48amGreat! There’s nothing more sexy than a Burqa Babe.
Report Post »HAL9000
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:47pmThe burga is not banned, just the veil. My religion requires that I wear a full face ski mask everytime I walk into a 7-11;-) My religion requires I smoke two joints every morning. My religion requires I have sex with 2 virgins every day. So we as a society are suppose to accept any behavior if I say it’s part of my religion? I don’t think so. By the way there is a Jedi religion in Australia with 70,000 members.
Report Post »I can’t understand why a woman would voluntarly be a second class person. Oh that’s right, that’s how they are raised. I’m residing in country right now that just this year made it illegal to traffic in humans. Thank God France got it right.
drconstitutionalconservative
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:16pmGreat first move from that ultra leftist country, now, if they’d only grow enough stones to ship all of them back to their home countries, they’d have something going.
Report Post »dazyann010501
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:14pmI am agreeing with France on this one!!! ;)
Report Post »The Bees
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:49pmWhere the heck did the French find their backbone.
If they keep this up they may even convince a few Americans they deserve that seat on the security council!
Report Post »Carpe Diem
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:41pmGood for the French, but man the cars will be burning at a record pace over this.
Report Post »Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:11pmbehindblueeyes: No, I’m not referring to the Native Americans at all, but rather to the descendants of the Biblical House of Israel, which I write about in my book which is a total rewrite of ancient history to present day history. I write that the people of The United States of America are the descendants of the ancient tribe of Manasseh. Perhaps you don’t know the Biblical story that I am referring to.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:33pmForgive me but how can it be that all Americans (including the real Americans native American Indians) are descendants from the Biblical House of Israel? America is a melting pot of people from all around the world. I really don’t understand.
Report Post »reformedradical
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 2:03pmMary, what are your sources for this rewrite of history? I am a student of history, and your information about the Assyrians and Visigoths doesn’t seem accurate. Nor is it possible that all Americans descended from Manasseh. Is this book published? I would be interested in reading it.
Report Post »Waiting4George
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:09pmO.K. So I’m thinking how this can be used to our advantage. Perhaps if we all show up in burquas wearing sunglasses for our national id card we can avoid face recognition and iris scan identification. I can see the Newsweek cover: “We’re All Females Now”….
Report Post »George Washington
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:57pmAll non islamic countries should ban the burqa. The burqa makes it easy for terrorists and other criminals to hide from the law. Example: Anyone (Male or Female) could wear a burqa while commiting a crime. once they get away from the scene of the crime, they would then be able to get rid of the burqa and just walk or ride away wearing their normal street clothes which were worn under the burqa.
Report Post »Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:16pmI am glad to see the French finally standing up for themselves and not letting another culture dictate how they should legislate in their own country. One day the world will come to understand that the French are our brothers, the descendants of Reuben the eldest son of Jacob and Leah. Because history has been distorted the French have lost track of who they are just like the Americans have forgotten that they are the sons and daughters of Manasseh the eldest son of Joseph. The French also have the same problems with the progressives that we have, but little do they realize that the same ancient enemy that traveled through the pages of history with us also traveled through the pages of history with them, namely the Assyrian/Goths as I write in my book. This Goth was the Visigoth that today lives among the French and is as contrary to their form of governing as they are contrary to our own form of governing. When will we ever seek to know who we all are anciently, and where we come from historically? The French are as much in jeopardy of losing their sovereignty to a one world order, just as we are. Our enemy is also ignorance, and until we start asking the right questions, we won’t get the correct answers. Glenn Beck has enlightened us about much, but there is still much to learn. We speak of history, and that is a good thing to learn about, but the Bible goes hand in hand with history. Psalm 66: 3, which I was just reading tonight, tells us, “Say to God, How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power THAT YOUR ENEMIES (and our enemies) CRINGE BEFORE YOU.” Our enemies tremble at the thought that we are now getting a clear picture of who they are and what they have been doing behind our backs to destroy us to gain wealth and power for themselves.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:34pm“Americans have forgotten that they are the sons and daughters of Manasseh the eldest son of Joseph”
Report Post »Mary you must be talking about Native Anericans because my father’s name is not Manasseh.
MykNPhx
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:52pmWhy don’t you d-bags decide if you’re going to stand with our constitution or disregard it? You can’t have it both ways. Have the courage to take a stand, right or wrong!
Report Post »harone 86
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:47pmOh… the French, they do care about the fashion so.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:42pm“for the first time in my life, I am proud of the French”. let’s hope the historic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral can withstand the “peaceful religion’s” backlash.
anyone notice just what last week “ALLAH AKBAR” was officially carved into a French Catholic Cathedral in Lyons? bet that garnered a few BAN THE BURQA votes.
Report Post »Debrabate
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:53pmNotice that just today there were bomb threats at the Eifel Tower and Notre Dam? I wonder why…. Hey france… welcome to America
Report Post »Joseph
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:40pmYes and you need to look at the history of the Crosaint,LOL just to get back at the Geardoes!
Isn’t it funny, in 1776 we had our revolution and then the French. Now they are having one against Diarrhea Law in their country, and we are about to have ours.
Report Post »Joseph
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 9:43pmActually some women should have to wear one, Pelosi’s top on the list then Michell is a runner up
Report Post »smugsmiley
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:06pmWeird how that last french revolution was about equality, liberty and fraternity and this one is about inequality, reduction of liberty and segregation. Ah, the french. What will they do next?
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:32pmDinglebags won’t have anything else to wear.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:02pmNot true. I heard someone say in another post that Danglingbags a$$less chaps were ready at the dry cleaners for pickup. So he/she/it has something else to wear.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:28pmHAHAHAHAHA Made my day! :)
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:26pm“Widely seen as a symbolic defense of French values”
Report Post »Google this “French president Nicolas Sarkozy drunk at G8” for an example of French values.
Dennisgl
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:36pmIf I had to sit thru the G8 BS I would probably get tanked too.
Report Post »poppopschell
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:21pmI hope something like this never passes in the USA. This is hatred of other‘s beliefs unless we have seen evidence that terrorists have used burba’s to disquise themselves when committing a crime.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:33pmTerrorists have been putting on burqas since the first Gulf war to commit crimes. With all due respect, what more evidence did you need?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:46pmthank God the French are waking up as muslims invade and overflow their country. everything the muslims have said and done over there (BBQ’ed parked cars, rioting) have been anti-French and pro-INVADER. Isalm is the word for “SUBMISSION” and they expect the French to roll over and hand them France, as the muslims bleed the French system dry. somewhere along the line after 1945, France must have grown a pair, to start passing laws like BAN THE BURQA. France is being eaten alive by the parasite Islam.
Report Post »poppopschell
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:48pmAre you claiming that men terrorists are pretending they are women and /or both men and women aree terrorists. I have missed it BUT I’ve never seen or heard anything about female terrorists who have blown themselves up. I pleade with you to send me links that will clear this up. Thanks.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:52pmAre yu kidding POP? Goolge “female suicide bomber” it’s hardly novel or news. Get a clue
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:53pmthese muslim women have been strapping on bomb vests under their sheets and walking up to innocents in markets and police stations and schools and detenoating for over 20 years. they just haven’t done it HERE yet.
you can look at it simply: the muslim burqa is as innocent as a KKK hooded robe. they both mean the same thing: expect terrorism.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:13pmElle est bonne! Regarder en chiens de faïence!
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »La Belle Dame sans Merci
broker0101
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:08pmWait until the first unidentified “militant” blows himself up outside the French Parliament. They will surrender so fast, it’ll make your newly-mandated burqa spin.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:49pmunfortunately you are so correct, those burqas can hide a helluva lot of bomb vest packs.
but on the other hand,
what about the peaceful “ White Dinners” , a recent phenom where “The French Resistance” are packing the streets, too, clothed all in white, with little tables and chairs, and peacefully partying and eating PORK & WHITE WINE?! viva la France!
Report Post »danglingbags
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:06pmSovereign countries can make their own decisions under their laws. Just like our 1st amendment which makes it total acceptable to build a Islamic Cultural center in lower Manhattan 2 blocks from ground zero but further away from the strip club and OTB center.
Report Post »GeorgeSoros
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:17pmtotally “legal” danglingbags, if you say acceptable you sound like a idiot – obviously most Americans don’t find it acceptable at all …think before you post i am really not getting my moneys worth with you…
Report Post »Poverty with a view
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:32pmD-bag – France is a socialist/progressive nation – they do not have in their constitution, an amendment protecting their right to practice their religion of choice. We do! Why? Because we are truely free. That is exactly why we want to protect our constitution!!!!! Welcome to the tea party d-bag. I think you are starting to understand (FINALLY).
Report Post »jussayin
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:44pmLOL @ georgesoros. Good one!
Report Post »smugsmiley
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:01pm@Poverty with a view
Wow! You mean a modern western country has no law that allows its citizens to practice the religion of their choice?
That’s pretty hard to believe!
(Because it’s not true)
Report Post »jkhypilot
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:49pmI hear the strip club will have 72 virgin drinks just for the muslims who feel they have “conquered” NY……..
Report Post »One will even be called Ramadonk.
smugsmiley
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:01pmI was a huge fan of the name “Jihad me at hello”. Too bad they didn’t take that one.
But seriously, there are like 20 bars and strip clubs right next to that community center/mosque. Who thinks that they’d care if one more pops up?
Report Post »Autonomous_System
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:03pmBurqa’s for everyone to avoid the coming invasion of privacy with Big Government camera every where.
Report Post »smugsmiley
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:02pmI prefer to wear a mask of my profile picture, on principle mostly.
Report Post »van
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 8:42pmFrance needs to finish the job and ban muslims.
Report Post »