What is your opinion on France's banning of Hijab (Islamic dress for women)?

Question

The French law prohibits Muslims, Christians, and Jews from wearing headscarves, large crosses, or skullcaps. So, on the surface, it seems as if it is not discriminatory among followers of various religions. President Jacques Chirac said that this law is “meant to protect the country’s strictly secular state from the perceived threat of Islamic fundamentalism.” The headscarf is not a sign of Islamic fundamentalism. Throughout the Muslim world, average Muslim women cover their heads in obedience to religious instructions. Do you agree that this law is discriminatory against Muslims only—and Muslims women in particular—since Christians are not required by their faith to wear crosses, nor are Jews required to wear the Star of David. To say the ban includes these Christian and Jewish symbols, too, is misleading.

Answer 1

All religious beliefs and practices should be respected and allowed by law so long as these practices don't interfere with the rights of others. The French are obviously a long way off from understanding religious tolerance. It seems to me that it would be insulting to Muslims to link all Muslims that wear the headscarfs into the category of Islamic fundamentalists.

Answer 2

I have har dthat more Observant Jews, who might want to wear a skull-cap, have met with similar treatment--but since France has a long history of antisemitism, that could easily be a way of dovetailing anti-Jewish sentiment with anti-Muslim, and as far as that goes sentiment against recently-once-colonized peoples.

This law is the tip of the iceberg, however--I believe it was in May of 2001 that a stroke of the Parliamentary pen outlawed something like 170 different organizations as "dangerous Cults"--now, this included the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adeventists--I have found the door-to--door antics of the Jehovah's Witnesses intensely annoying at times, but certainly not menacing to society--this ban included the Hemretic order of the Golden Dawn, the Philosphers of Nature--any number of groups who are certainly different but not menacing and in many cases not interested in making converts or in brain-washing anyone.

As a philosophically curious and spiritually open Atheist, I have found these actions deeply offensive--and, as a student of history, my guess is that the Muslim inhabitants of France have been targetted in particular. the fact that discrimination may be applied to many doesn't change the fact that in can be applied extra-good-and-hard to quite particular targets.

Answer 3

Perhaps Muslim women can be polled and post here. But I don't feel that that the law is discriminatory against Muslims. They still free to worship in many places, just like others in France. President Chirac has a duty to protect the people.

Answer 4

nicely, which would be super the place you reside, yet here interior the U. S., we are constitutionally certain freedom to coach our faith as we see extra wholesome. What next, mandated miniskirts? proscribing the quantity of clothing a guy or woman can positioned on is absurd. I positioned on hijab, no longer because of the fact everybody has ever tried to stress or shame me into it, yet because of the fact i decide directly to no longer demonstrate my physique like a commodity. i'm so happy I stay in a rustic the place I even have freedom and uncomplicated human rights. could you apart from would ban the dresses of nuns?

Answer 5

My opinion is that it is absolutely right for france to make this move. This way no one can be discriminated on the basis of their religion, as no one is wearing clothing specific to a religious affliliation.
I am sorry if there are those who feel this is insulting to them, but for too long nationals of european countries have been told we are racist if we treat people differently according to their different religious beliefs, well this is the cure.
The alternative is to live somewhere where those religious beliefs are the norm and so wearing these clothes will be no problem at all.

Answer 6

I think it is understandible.

In Europe, Muslim immigrants have 3 times the birthrate of native born. It is predicted that even if immigration stops today, Muslims will be the majority population in France in 25 years.

I think it is fair to extend the law to all religious paraphanalia, of all religions and not discriminate. It should also be extended to things like forcing churches to pay property taxes and lose their tax exempt status.

The same laws should be enacted in North America and apply to Christian churches as well.

Answer 7

Observant Jewish women DO cover their hair, just like Muslim women. Therefore, your reasoning is faulty.

Answer 8

No I don't think it is discriminatory.. I think it's good the religion is kept a private matter.. it puts everyone on a level playing field.. Crosses may not be displayed no matter how large or small.. you can wear them under your clothing if you wish but they may not be on display.

Answer 9

It is not discriminating !! And you have too many questions here.
The discrimination on women of many faiths even Christians
to demand the head dress or scarves is because
they are inferior to men.
Women are un-clean and sinful according to Islamic law.
Unclean. . . every muslim male spent 9 months in that unclean place. the stench of their male ego and double standards achhh!
If women continue to allow this discrimination and humiliating of allowing religion to dictating how to live your life.
This rhetoric and debate is useless. I can care about you if you have respect for yourself.
If the muslim men start to kill their wives and daughters who support their independent freedom. (because the Islamic law permits the husband or father to beat chastise even kill) Who WILL defend the women? Required religious fashion How silly.
God is nude. what fool would argue that.

Answer 10

Are you asking a question or selling a bill of goods.
Your question doesn't properly belong in this 360 area. Jews wear skull caps, but that is niether here nor there. You should not be asking quesiton that promote controversy, If there is something about French law that you do not like, Either get out of France: Enter into French Politics, or keep yoiur mouth shut and your opinions to yourself.

There may as in many laws, be an unwritten reason behind that law. When you find that reason, then you will know the truth and you can pick another subject to harp about.

I am not French, I do not live in France, I have never been there and I have no interest in their politics, but I do resent someone griping about the laws of a country and asking stupid questions about it.
You sound exactly like a "Dropping Knowledge" Recruit. Did they pick you out because of one of your answers to their propaganda BS