The veils that cover the faces of Islamic women in public evoke a range of reactions. To certain Muslims, they are simply a symbol of compliance with their religious requirements. To others, the veils exemplify Islamic oppression of women, or the growing influence of Islamic culture on host societies, such as in Europe. And to still others, the veils and their variants, i.e., the burka and the hijab, represent radical Islam. Read: Terrorism.
This week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ordered legislation that would ban women from wearing the Islamic veils in streets and other public places. Such a measure would put France on the same track as Belgium, which is also moving toward a complete ban in a similar reaction as Islamic culture has come in conflict with native European values. Sarkozy has repeatedly said that such clothing oppresses women and is not welcome in France.
Sarkozy may very well be opposing the veils strictly in defense of women, but at the same time he also may be violating the rights of Islamic women to adhere to their religious principles, and thats a slippery slope. As Jews, we certainly wouldnt want to see a ban on the head coverings of married Orthodox Jewish women, even though they may be uncomfortable on a warm day. And what about the dress of nuns? Where does the interference with the free practice of religion stop?
It is possible that Sarkozy is concerned that the sight of Islamic women in burkas frightens people because of the link between radical Islam and terrorism. After all, in many of the countries from which the terrorists emanate, such as Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, women are required, under penalty of death, to keep their faces covered in public.
This link, however, is not enough to ban the burka. The problem harkens to the old logic problem: If some terrorists wear burkas, are all women who wear burkas terrorists?
The answer, most likely, is no. Unless a scientific study of female terrorists and their apparel is conducted, there is no way to link the Islamic veil to terrorism. That would be akin to automatically linking a wig-wearing woman bank robber to an Orthodox Jewess. In any proposal to take away womens religious rights on the claim that their headdress, statistically speaking, leads to terrorism, the burden of proof is on those who would take away the rights.
We acknowledge that France may have an issue with the face of its society changing under the influence of the five million Muslims who now live there. However, if Frances immigration laws allow the people to come, then France needs to accept that they will bring their customs and religion with them. The goal analogous to immigrants in America should be to instill a sense of French patriotism, not to ban symbols of religious observance.
Bottom line: It strikes us that Sarkozy is a bit disingenuous. What he really is opposed to is radical Islam, but just wont say so. The problem is Islamic terrorism, not Islamic clothing. Admit it.
