Banning the veil does not liberate women
Posted by: Frédéric Van Caenegem in International, Issues & politics, tags: France, Islam, veilThis is a short comment that was published recently in The Peak. I was responding to this article, regarding the debate on the Islamic veil in France.
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Jenny Shutek’s comment on the banning of the full-face veil issue in France seem to miss a few key elements.
First, France has used the Euro as currency since 1999. The fine proposed for wearing a full-face veil are from 150 to 15,000 Euros, not Franc. However, my main criticism is towards the fact that the author seems to misunderstands religion in the French culture. France is a country that had centuries of religious wars. As a result of these wars, France passed very strict laws on secularism in 1905.
These laws forbid, for example, children from wearing a cross while in school. These laws have significantly reduce religious tension in France. It is in that context that one must understand the issue of the Islamic scarf in France.
Banning the full-face veil might or might not be the right answer to this issue, however for most people in France the issue is not between Christianity and Islam, but between a religious or a secular society.
Frédéric Van Caenegem
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Precision: The title refers to the original article by Jenny Shutek published in The Peak. I am personally ambivalent on the issue. I think that education might be more effective than legislation in that domain. The Niqab is sometimes a tool of oppression though. But laws are not always the solution to a problem. Not easy to find a appropriate balance.