Ever since France introduced its so called “burqa ban” in 2011, there have been many cases involving the Muslim women who choose to wear these veils. Not only are understanding women being fined for their choice of dress, mainly the niqab, which leaves a slit for the eyes, but an increasing number of defendants are being tried for attacking them (Ramdani). The law only has affected a small number of women; out of an estimated 5 million Muslims living in France, only around 1,900 women were concerned by the ban in 2011 (Willsher). However, the ban has made Muslim women in full face veils, or niqab banned from any public activity including walking down the street, taking a bus, going to the shops or collecting their children from school. …show more content…
The main argument against the ban is that it infringes upon individual freedoms such as freedom of religion and expression (Wade). Veils such as the chador, scarves, and other headwear that do not cover the face, are not affected by this law and can be worn. The law imposes a fine of up to 150 euro and/or participation in citizenship education, for those who violate the law. The bill also penalizes, with a fine of 30,000 euro and one year in prison, anyone who forces another wear face coverings. As a result of the law, the only exceptions to a woman wearing a niqab in public will be if she is traveling in a private car or worshipping in a religious place. The law was challenged and taken to the European Court of Human Rights which upheld the French law on the first of July, 2014, accepting the argument of the French government that the law was based on “a certain idea of living together” (Chrisafis, “France’s Headscarf War…”). However, after the implementation of this law, verbal and physical abuse has increased toward women of the Muslim faith wearing headwear. Islamophobic attacks in France more than doubled between 2011, when the act was implemented and a year following in 2012, with women in headscarves the principal target, accounting for seventy-seven percent of victims of physical or verbal attacks, according to the French Collective Against Islamophobia. Tensions increased by recent
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, said earlier this year that the full veil, such as the niqab or the burqa, "hurts the dignity of women and is not acceptable in French society" (Aljazeera). In opposition to the critics' argument, Alveena Malik, a former faith adviser to the last Labour government , believes, Britain needs to take a different direction from others in Europe and to accept the veil as part of a modern British way of life(Ross). She also believes that the religious practice of the Islamic face veil should be a fundamental right. By giving Muslims the fundamental right of practicing their religion, it would give them the right to express their freedom and religion. If Britain decided to deprive the Muslims of their fundamental right like France did, then Britain would be trying to force the Muslims that participate in wearing the Islamic face veil to conform to their society like France as well. The government says that the reason for the ban on the Islamic face veil is because of security and the values or beliefs of the country in which the Muslims reside in. For instance: France says that the ban may cause France to be a target of terrorism. If France is concerned about the security of the citizens and knows that banning the Islamic face veil would cause a potential problem of terrorism, it seems like France would
Since the incident of 9/11 occurred, many people have debated over the Muslim faith and its practices. Muslim extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS have affected the name of Islam causing majority of Muslims to be blamed. Recently, a tragic event that occurred in Paris killing over a hundred people left the people of France shaken with fear and anger. These events have lead to an increasing amount of hate and tension towards Muslims all over the world from protests at mosques, where Muslims go to pray, and anti-Muslim rally’s. Islamophobia is a massive issue that has steered European counties like France to enforce laws that ban religious garments that Muslims wear such as the niqab and burqa. Some people perceive these garments to be
The anticipated law, whose purpose is to ban the use of the burqa and veil, finally took place in France. The ban started within school, and expanded into a restriction within the entire country. France drew international attention, questions, and opinions on the justification of this new law. Even though France’s main response to their justification of the ban is to preserve the French culture, the law also positively addresses other problems such as: religious freedom, public safety, and women’s rights.
Politicians in Quebec have passed a controversial religious neutrality bill which would require people receiving and giving services to expose their faces and could mean that the Muslim niqab or burqa could be banned in public.
A whole lot of controversy and debate has been experienced in Quebec after the presentation of the bill. This recent debate is important because the consequences and implications of such laws should be evaluated thoroughly before being imposed to a population. It is also a subject that has a particular importance to me, considering that I want to be a lawyer later on and therefore I will face such difficult debate. Moreover, religious cases interest me a lot. It is important to know that veils are worn by certain women all over the world because of their religious interpretation of the hijab verses of the Quran in which God asks women to “dress modestly” (Stacey). The wearing of the veil has been made mandatory in some countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. However, many women in America and Europe decide freely to wear the veil as a religious and cultural symbol (Stacey). Considering that the face-covering veils, like other Muslim veils, are part of some Muslim women’s religion, should the government have the right to demand its removal while one is receiving or giving public services?
Banning the burqa has become increasingly deliberate since 2011 in France. The burqa ban is also known as a ban that is against women wearing all face coverings while out in public places in France. On April 11, 2011 the ban of the burqa went into effect. There has, however, been much debate on this matter. Women think that the ban is discrimination to them, but on the other end, France believes that it will be a good thing for the country and the violence in the country. This ban was taken into court by an Islamic woman, who would only go by the name of S.A.S. This ban actually prevents the women from being abused and will help with the safety around the community. This ban was not meant to be discriminating or take any religious freedoms. Based off of evidence, France, the Defendant of the case has the right to ban the burqa from wear because of safety reasons.
When Georgia’s anti-mask laws were scrawled into state code some 60 years ago, supportive legislators sought to curb anonymous violence by hooded Ku Klux Klansmen. But first-year Georgia State student Nabila Khan never guessed such a law would bring into question her niqab, a veil worn by some Muslim women which covers everything but the eyes.
Violence against veiled women has been increased; there are scenes where brutality against veiled women has been witnessed. Ultimately, the proposed charter is a malicious law that does not harmonize with Quebec. Countless individuals are voicing their honest thoughts on this matter.
The article Behind the Ban by Ash Garton Timothy argues in his opinion women in France should be able to make their own choice of wearing burkas even though it is unnecessary. Ash states three arguments in his article which are that burkas are a threat to public safety, criminals can be wearing burkas to cause harm, and burkas attract voter back from the xenophobic far right. Many people may think that these women fathers and husbands make them wear these to not show anything, but in reality the women feel more comfortable with them. Ash explains that a study done by the Open Society Foundation, “Report in-depth interviews with 32 women who wear the full- face veil in France. All but two say they are the first members of their family to do so, and almost all insist this was a matter of free personal choice” (Ash). Almost all the women in France say that they wear the burkas for their spiritual journey; it is their way of protesting for their sexuality. Ash states from Vivi, 39, South of France, “‘For us it’s a way of saying that we are not a piece of meat in a stall, we are not commodity’” (Ash). Getting treated like a product is something really hurtful. No matter what race you are everyone should have respect for each other. Concluding he say “Let us defend free speech against violent Islamist intimidation” (Ash). If someone is not white it does not mean that they are criminals or are capable of cause
The banning of the burqa has become an issue in many places, including France. The French Parliament has decided it is time to ban the burqa in public. They believe is a sign of the subjugation and submission of women to males. Some believe it is used to cover up abuse and they also believe it is unfair to the public that citizens cannot see the women’s faces. However it is unfair for these women to be banned from wearing what they choose as just everyone else does.The banning of the burqa should not be allowed because it is discriminatory towards Muslim women and violates their freedom of religion and their freedom to express themselves.
A nun can be covered from head to toe in order to devote herself to god. But when a Muslim woman does the same she is being oppressed. It may be argued that wearing a burqa benefits only a few and brings more harm than good to society. The real question is who does it harm? That should be the basis for banning this piece of clothing, not one based on fear or an arguably feeble argument that the women do not have a choice. To say that a ban on a specific item like this is undemocratic is an understatement. Following the French senate’s unanimous vote in favour of banning the burqa in late 2010, many European and western countries including Belgium and Spain have made the decision to take the
When I was introduced to the topic of France’s ban on the veil, I disagreed with the law. I took a position based on my customs as an American citizen, which differs completely from those of France. International critics began to argue that France is violating what people call “Freedom of Religion,” which I agreed with at first. As a foreigner from America, I am accustomed to the American government’s definition of freedom of religion. Protected by the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise.” (Religious Freedom). You can express your religion in public, during church, mass, or religious meetings. So the presence of religious items such as the burqa's and veil do not disturb the people or government.
Main issue today is that Islam is viewed as a religion that teaches violence and terrorism, however, it is not so. Ignorance and lack of knowledge allow people to fall into the trap of allowing the press and social media to manipulate the information any way desired. During the Spring of 2011, when a terrorist in Norway shot and killed many children during a camping activity, the issue of his religion was not brought up during court - however, when Bin Laden was being accused and tried, he was always referred to as Muslim terrorist. So, what symbolizes terrorism in today’s society? Is it social behavior or physical appearance? The main focus of this essay is to elaborate on the issue of why women’s Islamic attire - hijab - is viewed as a prohibited religious practice in Europe and portrayed as a social threat to non-Islamic community.
Burqa bans are unlawfully stripping Muslim women of their right to follow and show their commitment to their religion. Many countries in the United Nations are beginning to put a nationwide ban on wearing burqas in public. This restricts Islamic women by giving them the choice to either defy their religion, or stay inside their house and not get anything done. Not only does this restrict daily activities, but it makes it challenging for islamic women to get a quality education. Overall, countries are putting a national ban on niqabs, forcing muslim women to betray their religious beliefs in order to perform simple activities.
Currently, the French want to ban the wearing of religious symbols in public schools so that there is no social tension, and to keep the main religion in France (Roman Catholicism) ‘pure’ (Gofen 63). But even though the French say they want to keep their culture pure, in reality since the world wars, religions such as Islam and Judaism have in fact become a part of their culture. Once again, the French let in other cultures knowingly, and once the cultural diversity begins, all the religions are apart of a country’s culture. An example of a religious symbol that the French are considering to ban is the Burka. A Burka is an outfit worn by Muslim females that cover them head to toe. Some, who want to ban the burka say that it is disrespectful to women and can be degrading. But, 64 million people in France are Muslim. By wearing a Burka they are just following their religion and are also following tradition (French). One other big controversy regarding religious symbols is the banning of