Joseph A. Hayden (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} bearlawnyc) wrote,@ 2004-09-01 16:49:00 |
|
Headscarves in France
While I'm a born again agnostic/recovering catholic (haydennet.com/religion), I'm a little troubled by what is happening in France. The policy of no headscarves (a traditional, but NON-religious muslim custom among women to exemplify modesty, which is a religious mandate) is about to be instituted with this academic year. France is a very liberal country, both immigration-policy-wise and ideologically. Indeed, to France, there IS no Left in the United States. I agree and that is why I may move there eventually.
There is a much larger proportionate muslim population in France than in the United States, particularly as France had so many colonies to which it has given the opportunities for citizenship where Islam was widespread. While EU countries are non-secular, it's xtian roots are not what is at issue here, as was the case in Italy when the cross was removed from a schoolhouse in the country when it offended a muslim immigrant family there a year or so ago. What we have in France is the freedom of religion versus the freedom of secularism or what I call "IRreligion". The symbolism of the headscarves, while not religiously required (I don't think any muslim would disagree), are tantamount to a large cross, a rosary or star of david draped over one's neck. These have ALSO been banned. Does this impede religious expression? Yes. Does this impede free speech? I'm not sure if this wouldn't be a good exception to the speech that IS curtailed, even though we are talking about a jurisdiction that is not covered by anything equivalent to the United States' Constitution.
I am not sure what the resolution will be, but I do hope France does not acquiesce to the kidnappers of the French journalists who are insisting on a change in policy. Perhaps they are infuriated by the perception that this is specifically an anti-muslim policy. Whatever the case, it has been very destructive and disheartening, despite the potential sacrifice, to see the countries like the Philippines succumb to terror, even if I do believe that the "War on Terror" was a huge red herring and was fallacious to begin with. The world will be forever at the mercy of a few people with the resources to kidnap a non-national if we allow this to continue.
While I'm a born again agnostic/recovering catholic (haydennet.com/religion), I'm a little troubled by what is happening in France. The policy of no headscarves (a traditional, but NON-religious muslim custom among women to exemplify modesty, which is a religious mandate) is about to be instituted with this academic year. France is a very liberal country, both immigration-policy-wise and ideologically. Indeed, to France, there IS no Left in the United States. I agree and that is why I may move there eventually.
There is a much larger proportionate muslim population in France than in the United States, particularly as France had so many colonies to which it has given the opportunities for citizenship where Islam was widespread. While EU countries are non-secular, it's xtian roots are not what is at issue here, as was the case in Italy when the cross was removed from a schoolhouse in the country when it offended a muslim immigrant family there a year or so ago. What we have in France is the freedom of religion versus the freedom of secularism or what I call "IRreligion". The symbolism of the headscarves, while not religiously required (I don't think any muslim would disagree), are tantamount to a large cross, a rosary or star of david draped over one's neck. These have ALSO been banned. Does this impede religious expression? Yes. Does this impede free speech? I'm not sure if this wouldn't be a good exception to the speech that IS curtailed, even though we are talking about a jurisdiction that is not covered by anything equivalent to the United States' Constitution.
I am not sure what the resolution will be, but I do hope France does not acquiesce to the kidnappers of the French journalists who are insisting on a change in policy. Perhaps they are infuriated by the perception that this is specifically an anti-muslim policy. Whatever the case, it has been very destructive and disheartening, despite the potential sacrifice, to see the countries like the Philippines succumb to terror, even if I do believe that the "War on Terror" was a huge red herring and was fallacious to begin with. The world will be forever at the mercy of a few people with the resources to kidnap a non-national if we allow this to continue.
