Laura Brewer
Blog #12: Ban on Women Covering Faces with Veils in France
4/14/2011
France passed a law on April 11 against the Muslim donning of veils in France. If women are caught wearing veils they will be instructed to take citizenship classes. If men are caught forcing their women to wear veils, they will be fined large amounts. This was passed under the belief that the veils promote segregation and the inequality of women. The new law is meant to be a push forward to integrated and equality of all women in France. Many are confused by the law because rarely any women still wear viels. It was estimated that maybe 0.01% of Muslims in France wear veils and some shops maybe sell five a year. The law seemed very trite because it does very little to promote any inequality given the small amount of women still wearing veils.
I thought this article was interesting because the title caught my eye and I expected something different. I expected some sort of outrage at the law but found that it was mostly met with scoff. Regardless of the percentage of women actually wearing the veils still, I still thought the point was paradoxical. I could have moral and philosophical convictions galore about how covering up a woman is unjust and demeaning, but I could never impose my morals upon a religion that others practice with fervor. I think if some women still believed covering their faces was the right thing to do in the stand of their faith, they have every right to. I also think the law was a weak attempt at addressing social issues. If there was to be something about creating a more equal society, perhaps the government should direct its efforts to something of more relevance, rather than something that affects so little.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/13032250
5 comments:
I expected something entirely different as well. However, I am thrilled to see the government making SOME attempt at equalizing men and women's rights. It surprised me that the men would be reprimanded for forcing their wives to wear veils as well. Overall, here's to a good start for the revolution of women's rights!
This was interesting. The fact that they were standing up for the women who felt left out or neglected. This gave them the chance to be who they wanted to be. But my question is, according to the Muslim faith, is a veil a part of their faith, and if so how can they say it cant be worn?
This caught my attention. Women should be able to wear whatever they want as long as it is not offensive to others I mean really what is so wrong with the women wearing their veils? Most women wear them as part of their religion.
Yes the title caught me off guard. I thought their would be major protest for the violation of one's religious rights. I am glad that the men would be fined for forcing women to do such thing. Any step at helping women be seen as an equal makes me happy. However, I do believe people should be allowed to wear what they want so this could be a humans right issue.
I think it is interesting the way my courses seem to be overlapping. I am currently taking Islam and this is a topic we are putting a lot of emphasis on. The veil is seen as both an oppressive symbol and one of expression, and the interpretation really boils down to the woman who is wearing it. However, France is not promoting such an ideal of "fraternitie, libertie, or equalitie" if they are to impose such bans.
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