Sorry.
We've gotten semi-embroiled in a debate of Facebook. A friend posted a link to a story on Yahoo! News about the French government's proposal to ban the burqa, the head-to-toe veil that some Muslim women choose to wear as an expression of their faith.
Essentially, we are opposed to such legislation, while our interlocutor feels that, if a person chooses to live in a Western society, one should adapt to that society's norms; if one wishes to live under the laws of sharia, she should, similarly, remain in a sharia-oriented society.
We agree with our interlocutor in certain respects: We, too, find the compulsory veiling of Muslim women--or of any women--distasteful and primitive. (Well, unless we're talking about really, really, really ugly women, in which case it's fine.) (Sorry.)
OK, seriously, though--we see the point: We oppose the policies of Islamic governments that force women to remain veiled, and that forbid them to drive or to vote or, essentially, to have anything near the same rights as men. But the point we would emphasize is that, in France, nobody--at least, nobody in the government--is forcing these women to don these robes. Thus, to some extent, it is a matter of personal choice--religious choice--and should be respected, as long as it poses no threat to civic order.
The French government claims that it DOES pose a threat to civic order. Indeed, they mask (pun intended) their objection to the veil with a "public-safety" argument, claiming that the covering of the face in a public setting poses a security risk. We might buy this argument if the French government had previously banned ski masks, but we know of no such legislation.
Indeed, we think that such a ban would create security problems, as it lends credence to the fanatical claims of Muslim militants who complain of a Western "war on Islam."
One of the most loathsome components of totalitarian Islamic societies are organizations like Saudi Arabia's Authority for Promotion of Virtue and Suppression of Vice--the "religious police." These are the folks who run around making sure that women are properly veiled and that other affronts to Allah are quickly snuffed. Does France really want to turn its gendarmerie into a secular version of these bullies?
Remember, France, it was your great countryman Voltaire who said "I may not agree with what you wear, but I will defend to the death your right to wear it."
First: Voltaire NEVER said it. The "quote" is by a woman who, in an article she was writing, "summed up" what she believed Voltaire's philosophy to be. Since he chose to be dead at the time, he never corrected her.
ReplyDeleteSecond: While I agree that the Burqua is both hideous and degrading, as well as being, in these times, potentially dangerous, banning it's wear, while it may be necessary (and should be defended, if at all, on that basis) is no different in QUALITY to banning the wearing of yarmulkes by orthodox jews or "I (heart) Sarah Palin" T-shirts, by idiots. And How do you like your run-on sentences NOW, Mr. Death?
Way to distill a huge complex and unwieldy controversy into a few paragraphs. The veil is an interesting issue. It is technically a cultural strategy for complying with the hijab. It is not really supposed to be a religious symbol, and yet the law in question actually relates to the prior passage of rules restricting all RELIGIOUS symbols in secular public schools. It was only the burqa that roused the ire of the easily offended. (Yes yarmulkes were included in the ban!) It is an extrordinarily complex issue frought with many layers of weight, social, political, religious... Bold of you to open up that Pandora's box. Personally I see both sides. France has every right to attempt to maintain a more homogenous society. It is a vague attempt to bring a greater assimilation amongst it's most separate and dangerous (2005 Muslim riots) populace. On the other hand it is cultural distinctions that give many their deepest identities as well as offering amazing character and flavor to their host countries. By the way not all Muslim women see the cover as any type of domination whatsoever instead feel it empowering and a long held traditional expression of their faith and adherence to Islamic law. Of course there are many restrictions on religious acoutrements in our public schools as well. Anyways I fall on the side of Not My Problem. Yet!
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous: You may not be quoting Voltaire, but I see e e cummings in your comment.
ReplyDeleteAs to government regulation on veil and burka wearing, I say let people alone to wear what they will, if they pose no threat. We in the U.S. let people wear swatikas. They have a limited friend pool, as would burka wearing women. We are free to snub these people socially if we so choose in our private (as opposed to public) endeavors.
If France sees a problem in an unassimilated dangerous group living within its midst, join the club. This is an age old problem within countries. Banning clothing will not solve this problem. The mindset will remain. How have other countries, regimes, empires solved this problem in the past? What would be some more positive tactics to solve the problem than the one proposed by France?