France Votes Unanimously on Burqa Ban Resolution, Calling Veil 'An Affront to French Values'
France is one step closer to a complete burqa ban. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
The battle of the burqa has reached a fever pitch.
In its first legislative step toward a total ban on the controversial Islamic veil, France voted unanimously in favor of a formal resolution calling the garment "an affront to French values," the Telegraph reports.
Following in the footsteps of Belgium, which recently voted for a total burqa ban in public, French politicians approved the resolution yesterday, which comes ahead of a vote in July to enact a complete ban, according to the paper.
"Radical practices which violate the dignity and equality between men and women, such as the wearing of the full veil, are contrary to the values of the republic," the resolution reportedly states.
As we've previously reported, a total veil ban would levy fines and possible jail time against burqa-wearing women and the men who force their wives to wear the face-covering garment.
It has also been announced that well-off Middle Eastern tourists who wear burqas while visiting Paris' luxury boutiques will also reportedly be subject to hefty fines.
And while politicians insist that their tough stance against the burqa is a security, not a religious issue, human rights activists and Muslim advocates claim that such a ban would violate personal and religious freedoms while ostracizing Muslim women.
What's your take? Would you like to see a similar ban in the United States? Or are you opposed to the government having a say on what you can and cannot wear? Leave a comment.
Meanwhile, learn more about Belgium's burqa ban.
How Will France Enforce Impending Burqa Ban?
Protesters Arrested as 'Burqa Ban' Takes Effect
The Radio Ban Controversy at the Tour de France
Grischa Niermann Protests Against the TdF Radio Ban
Lisa~OC, CA, 5-12-2010, 12:31PM
I don't really see a problem with laws like these. YOU are moving (or visiting) to another country, YOU need to become accustomed to that culture (including learning the language), not the other way around. You can still sustain your beliefs and customs, but, YOU are the one that will have to tweek them a bit. YOU are the one that decided that it would be in the best interest for you and your family to pick up and move to a whole different country, you were not extended an invitation, why do you feel above learning their customs? If I were to move to Iraq (won't ever happen) I would wear the burqa and stick with my husband, that is their custom, who am I to disrepect that? If I move to France, I would learn French, to Japan, learn Japanese, I don't see what the problem is. If you wanted to keep everything the same, why bother moving?
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