Where Are the Burqas France Wants to Ban?

By Alecia McKenzie, IPS News. Posted July 8, 2009.

"It's all political propaganda," says Hafnaoui, manager of a shop selling Islamic movies, books and clothing. "France has a problem with Islam as soon as the religion is visible. They want to turn people's attention from national problems, so they have to find a common enemy. They always need to find something."

He said he had never seen a burqa "except on television". As he spoke, others in his shop joined in, with one man asking, "Why don't they talk about the Muslim girls who are assaulted and insulted by French people because they wear the veil? Why aren't they talking about that?"

Hafnaoui said the very word 'burqa' was meant to shock, as there are other words that could be used for similar garments, such as 'niqab'. "The government uses the word 'burqa' because it's associated with terrorism," Hafnaoui said. "They know it will make the anti-Islamic atmosphere worse."

A shopper dressed in black headscarf and dress said she felt "uncomfortable" when she ventured into certain neighbourhoods because she thought people objected to her way of dressing.

"Islamic dress hides a woman's form, and it's false to say that it's a prison for women," she told IPS. "It's my choice."

She conceded, however, that some women may be forced to wear the headscarf and that a "tiny minority" in France may be compelled to wear the burqa.

"There's not much difference in being told what to wear and being told what not to wear," she said. "Women should be able to choose for themselves wherever they are."

Another woman said French customs should be respected, and that wearing the burqa in France was "not correct".

It is the women who are being forced to wear the burqa that legislators say they would like to protect, just as in an earlier controversy the issue was about protecting girls from being compelled to wear headscarves to school. France dealt with that by passing a law in 2004 banning students from wearing "conspicuous" religious symbols in state schools.

That law has both supporters and opponents, and the burqa issue is shaping up to be equally divisive, even among government ministers.

Fadela Amara, secretary of state in charge of regenerating poor urban neighbourhoods, is in favour of a complete ban, while immigration minister Eric Besson says a ban would be impractical.

Some Muslims say a ban may push women to choose to wear the burqa, or the headscarf, out of defiance, or just to assert their rights in a country that touts liberty and equality for all.

"Banning what people choose to wear is really extreme," says Lino, a 26- year-old Frenchman who has converted to Islam. "They're toying with one's beliefs. I find the whole thing sad."

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