First, it is important to precise the definition of burqa, the term 'niqab' would rather be used instead since it is the appropriate designation of the garment used in France by the Muslim community. The situation popped up in 1994 in France when some girls wore the veil to school. The French government came up with a ban against this habit at school by 2003. But nowadays, this issue is in debate again since it also concerns the public places. A second dilemma is born: the specific question raised by the burqa is to define whether the French government should permit Afghan women to wear the burqa or not. A debate exists between the Afghan women and the Muslim associations; and the French government. The issue deals with different aspects such as the French republic principles (rights, secularism, diversity and freedom of expression), the political and cultural dimensions, and the moral challenges. The main reason why niqab is anchored in the Islamic habits is that it is aimed to prevent the women to be seen by men, and this 'concept' is widely applied in France, where it is forbidden by the traditional families to marry a person who does not belong to the same community. The proportion of the Afghan women in France only represent 6%, however the impact is not weak. If we compare it with other countries, it is comparable in terms of figures, but certain acts of discrimination and violence have been witnessed. Furthermore, regulating the veil is not an easy task for countries like Italy or The Netherlands, the ban is effective in theory, but not really in practice. The first argument is about secularism and diversity, two notions that are positive; and the second argument is about women's rights.
[...] So the tolerance might be also important. England, but also The Netherlands and Belgium considered that this issue was marginal at first sight, as this community was not very important, if we refer to its proportion in the population. But a strong confrontation was noticed later, especially in the Netherlands where the wearing was more visible. Besides, a certain “islamophobia” rose in Belgium: some women have been attacked because of their religious display. ii. Treatment by the countries that directly face it Among the countries that faced this dilemma (whether or not banning this practice), Switzerland prohibited the construction of the minarets. [...]
[...] Regarding the decision to take, the main decision maker (also a stakeholder) is the french government (with Nicolas Sarkozy as the president), but it will be according to the opinion of the majority, and influenced by a third group of stakeholders. This third group is composed of Muslim associations and political parties The wearing of burqa in France The way of dressing in the Islam religion i. Definition of burqa and niqab The burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women, especially in Afghanistan and North West Pakistan[3]. [...]
[...] We could think that the women suffer from this obligation, but "the majority voluntarily adopted this holding", tells Bernard Godard, specialist of Islam[8]. "Many have the French nationality. And we count quite a lot of converts in their ranks he adds”. They become salafits as we enter a sect". Other countries in Europe i. Female wearers of burqa abroad In Great Britain, the trouble is approximately the same than in France: with the emigration from Pakistan, many Muslim live in Great Britain. [...]
[...] Indeed, when the Muslim girls started to refuse to remove their veil, it was a clash between Islam and Christianity (the major French religion). But as the religious diversity is important, it is not enough. For this reason we can say that it has to be linked with the political domain: a new law had to be adopted to regulate the religious confrontation at schools, and then also for the public aspect. In addition, the cultural aspect is also concerned: wear a chador, burqa, or any other veil, is not part of the French habit. [...]
[...] Furthermore, regulating the veil is not an easy task: for countries like Italy or The Netherlands, the ban is effective in theory, but not really in practice. The first argument is about secularism and diversity, two notions that could be positive; and the second argument is about the women's rights. The Afghan women want to defend their religious rights (certain women told that they have freely decided to wear it). In fact these two arguments are facing the problem of limit: where is the limit when exercising this religious habit. [...]
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