French Muslim girls could be banned from wearing headscarves.. - Eternal Allegiance

ForeverInLoveWithJus · 12-11-2003, 10:53 AM

Muslim girls in France could be barred from wearing headscarves in schools after an expert commission recommended a ban on "conspicuous" religious signs.

French President Jacques Chirac will announce next week whether he supports the commission's recommendation.

The ban would also include the Jewish skull-cap and large Christian crosses.

Mr Stasi consulted a wide cross-section of public opinion, including teachers, religious leaders, sociologists and politicians before handing in the report to the president on Thursday.

The commission's recommendations would outlaw the Jewish kippa, large Christian crosses and the Islamic headscarf, which would be considered overt religious symbols.

"Discreet" medallions and pendants which merely confirm a person's religious faith would be allowed.

"Muslims must understand that secularism is a chance for Islam," Mr Stasi told a news conference on Thursday.

"Secularism is the separation of church and state, but it is also the respect of differences."

The commission's proposed law was intended so people of all religions could "live together in public places", he said.

The report also recommends that Yom Kippur - the Jewish Day of Atonement - and Muslim Eid al-Kabir festival be celebrated in state schools.

French public life has a strong secular tradition which has existed since the revolution, but the commission has now recommended that the plan be enshrined in law.

He said he would study the proposals, consider the opinions of "political parties, the religious authorities and the representatives of public opinion" and discuss them with the prime minister.

He will then announce his decision on 17 December.

"The objective is to guarantee freedom to every French citizen, with the only restriction that the common rules be respected," he said.

Rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, Dalil Boubakeur, said he would call on Muslims to respect any law, but he would ask for a grace period of several months "so that everyone can take stock of the fact that things have changed".

Moise Cohen, president of the Consistoire of Paris, which directs religious Jewish life, said he opposed a headscarf law because it could be viewed by Muslims as a discriminatory measure and could "exacerbate emotions".

The issue has led to a number of celebrated cases where girls have been suspended or expelled for wearing headscarves to school.

Other schools have not acted.

France has the largest Muslim population in the European Union, with around five million people.

JammieJam · 12-11-2003, 12:37 PM

i don't think they'll allow that to happen.

midnightman · 12-11-2003, 02:12 PM

/humps the First Amendment

MX3 · 12-14-2003, 06:04 AM

Yup it is just getting closer and closer they are taking all the religion out of the world and making way for the antichrist and the one world government.

But what can we do about it...it is bound to happen.

I wonder though how they are going to get the US to just let the United Nations take over I guess we will see though.

*edit*

"Secularism is the separation of church and state, but it is also the respect of differences."

That is a bunch of bullcrap how is that the respect of differences when everyone is forced to be the same?

Nanny · 12-17-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ForeverInLoveWithJus
The ban would also include the Jewish skull-cap and large Christian crosses.

You think Christianity is favoured? Jewish skull caps must go, the muslim scarves must go, but only the big Christian crosses must go, not the small ones.

ForeverInLoveWithJus · 12-17-2003, 11:43 AM

Chirac has agreed to this ban taking place so its all agreed now and I dont agree at all with it.

Riapanonias · 12-18-2003, 02:10 AM

thats just stupid. they shod be alowed to show what religion they come from ( they are even thinking of doing the same thing here)

ForeverInLoveWithJus · 12-18-2003, 04:38 AM

Islamic leaders in France have urged young Muslims to stay calm after the French president's support for a law banning headscarves in schools.

President Jacques Chirac backed proposals which would mean a ban on all conspicuous religious signs in schools.

He said secularism was one of France's greatest achievements and played a vital role in ensuring social harmony.

President of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, Dalil Boubakeur, asked Muslims to avoid confrontation.

"We call... for thoughtfulness, calm and serenity," he said.

France has the largest Muslim population in the European Union, with around five million people, and several thousand teenage girls are estimated to wear headscarves to classes.

YesJess · 12-18-2003, 05:00 PM

You know as much as I support Freedom of Religion and such, I feel that people should practice their religion and beliefs in private. People have made religion such an open thing, when it is "suppoused" to be a private relationship. Yeah, you should be able to practice WHATEVER religion you want, but I just feel it doesn't need to be so public.

Riapanonias · 12-19-2003, 01:59 AM

well i dont know if they HAVE to have that on but as i see it its like they most have it on or is that the arbian woman? any way i dont think its bad to show ur religion i think thats a good thing