July 30, 2009
By Arsalan Iftikhar
True/Slant Contributor
First of all, I am no fan of the burqa…
Secondly, I am no fan of French President Nicholas Sarkozy…
I love France…Sarkozy, not so much…
Third (and most importantly), as an international human rights lawyer, I am no fan of any government in the world (whether it is France or Afghanistan) mandating what a person can (or cannot) wear as a free member of their society.
According to a media report in Reuters, a recent French study found that only 367 women in the entire nation of France wear Islamic veils (better known as a burqa) that completely cover their faces and bodies. This report severely undermines the position of right-wing politicians who are pushing for a ban on the garments.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has stopped short of backing a ban, but has recently said the veils were “not welcome” in France. The influential French newspaper Le Monde said that in light of the tiny number of women concerned, the idea of a ban should be dropped.
Continue Reading Arsalan’s July 2009 Column Here…
