If there aren’t enough problems in France with the Arab population not feeling integrated into French society (it’s not just a feeling, the majority are not) then French President Sarkozy wanting to ban the Burka in France will only add to the discord that already exist.
Today I will play Devil’s Advocate and say that there are always two sides to every story and the Burka is no different. For most people in the Western World, the Burka represents suppression to Muslim women; a prison made of tissue. The Burka is an outward symbol that the women wearing them are void of any freedom of expression. We believe instead that these women are living under a male dictatorship imposed upon them by a religion, a father, a husband, an uncle or a brother.
Yes, there are many women living under such circumstances, however, there are just as many women who are wearing the Burka by their own free choice. As hard as it may be for many of us Western women to comprehend, that is the reality of the situation. Yet, because it’s difficult for us to understand, we therefore assume that this is an obligation that has been forced upon these women. (But!…..And it’s a big but!) Is it possible that someone would choose to be covered from head to toe even in the midst of summer and oppressive heat? Apparently so!
By banning such attire, where is the freedom to choose what one wants to wear? Where is this “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” that is France? Imagine imposing upon nuns not to wear their habits? For years Catholic nuns had no choice but to wear one, however, in this day and age, they have the right to choose whether to dress in a long habit, a short one, or not wear one at all. Would anyone forbid a nun from wearing a long habit if she still wants to?
If a woman wants to wear a Burka (for whatever mysterious reason that many Western women 
cannot comprehend ), then she should have that right! However, if a woman does not want to wear a burka and she is being forced to do so, that is an entirely different issue and it should be banned! The problem is - being able to discern the difference!
Maya Muses: The majority of French people support banning the burka, but with an ever growing Muslim population in France, is this ban more related to fear?……And because of this fear, has France chosen to suppress the freedom of expression in deciding what someone can wear? In taking away this freedom, this “right”, has France lost more than it will gain?
This is one battle that no matter what the outcome - people are not going to be happy!
Photo Credits: Google Images and Flickr
6 responses so far ↓
1 Deena // Jun 23, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Personally, I can’t imagine why any woman would want to wear one, but that’s just me!
2 Maria // Jun 24, 2009 at 12:07 am
Pretty cool post. I just found your site and wanted to say
that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
3 Lynn // Jun 24, 2009 at 3:04 am
Deena, I’m with you on that one!
4 Lynn // Jun 24, 2009 at 3:05 am
Thanks Maria!
5 Tina // Jun 25, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Like Lynn said there are two sides to every story, and no matter how many ways you look at it people are not going to be happy.
The Quoran says that a woman should dress modestly. How she decides to adress that issue is up to her. Yes there are some countries where Woman are forced to wear Burqas. these “overalls” are more traditions from the countries itselves and not the actual Qouran.
I mean there is a Law in Saudi Arabia where women are not allowed to drive?
Someone like to explain to me where it says that in the Quoran.
OK if women want to wear it fine. but what gets me is when male member of a family says she has to wear it because it´s our religion.
Relgion or ego?
God this is a big can of worms that got opened.
6 Lynn // Jun 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Good point, Tina! With all the rules and regulations accorded to the Koran, the book should be ten times larger than what it really is!
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