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France Moves to Ban Burkas

Sarkozy's party introduces bill to bar face-covering veils

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 24, 2009 3:03 AM CST

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling party has introduced a bill to outlaw the wearing of full-length Islamic veils in public places. Burkas and all-covering niqabs will be banned under the bill, which would fine women who fully cover their face in public, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Veils that wholly cover a woman's face are a "violation of individual liberty” and a “negation” of one’s identity, said party chief Jean-Francois Cope. Opposition politicians ridiculed the bill for creating "clothes police." The French parliament will vote on the bill next month, before the results of a government inquiry into burkas have been published.

Two women, one wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, walk side by side in Marseilles.
Two women, one wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, walk side by side in Marseilles.   (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
The bill will ban the wearing of full-length Islamic veils in all public places in France.
The bill will ban the wearing of full-length Islamic veils in all public places in France.   (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 37 comments
Non-deep-thinker
Dec 27, 2009 4:26 AM CST
France made the mistake of believing in the usual liberal bullshit, threw open the doors to unlimited immigration, and invited in about 3 or 4 million Muslims. A funny coincidence then happened: things started going completely to hell. I've lived in France. At one time it was a great country. Now it's a cautionary tale of immigration run amok and a perfect example of what happens when starry-eyed liberals come up with wonderful ideas that have no basis in reality.
Non-deep-thinker
Dec 26, 2009 6:55 AM CST
France is starting to figure out that they are losing their national identity. Forcing women to cover up every part of themselves but their "nose" finally struck someone as being just a little bit F**ked up. Message sent by the new law: Dress normal or get TF out.
cognitivefilter
Dec 25, 2009 8:40 AM CST
this is terribly offensive
 

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