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Burka Is 'Not Welcome' in France: Sarkozy

Prez says religious covering a sign of female 'subservience'

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2009 1:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy today spoke out strongly against Islamic coverings for women, like the burka, the BBC reports. In a rare speech to parliament, which is considering a ban, the French president said, “we cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting. … The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience. It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic.”

“That is not the idea that the French republic has of women’s dignity,” Sarkozy continued. The president stressed, however, that “the Muslim religion must be respected as much as other religions.” A leading French Muslim has called discussion of a ban “a way of stigmatizing Islam.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes Emir Of Qatar Sheik Hamed Bin Khalifa Al Thani prior to their meeting at The Elysee Palace in Paris today.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes Emir Of Qatar Sheik Hamed Bin Khalifa Al Thani prior to their meeting at The Elysee Palace in Paris today.   (AP Photo)
Parliament members applaud French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Parliament members applaud French President Nicolas Sarkozy.   (AP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses parliament members at the Versailles castle.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses parliament members at the Versailles castle.   (AP Photo)
A woman wearing the niqab in Marseille, central France.
A woman wearing the niqab in Marseille, central France.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 59 comments
bewilderbeast
Aug 21, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
The founder of Islam (clever salesman named Mo) didn't say all women have to wear a burka. Some later idiots invented that dumb law. Still doesn't make it wise for Nicolas Dubya Sarkozy to BAN THEM!!! If I was a French woman (non-muslim) I would wear a burka just to show him up. Hell, the Frogs have worn stranger fashions than that before today (admittedly as passing fads).
2-bits
Jun 23, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
I enjoyed reading that AnnieChrist. I think you hit the nail on the head.
kokuaguy
Jun 23, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Of course, anchower. Why didn't I see that it before. Bottom line, he just wants to get them to doff their duds!

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