Are Sarkozy's Words on Burqas Xenophobic?

The French president says that hijabs "will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic"

By U.S. News Staff

June 22, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Reports the AP: "President Nicolas Sarkozy said the Muslim burqa would not be welcome in France, calling the full-body religious gown a sign of the 'debasement' of women." Here are Sarkozy's own words: "The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement—I want to say it solemnly ... It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic." What would happen if a politician in the U.S. were to say the same thing? What's behind Sarkozy's words? Is the French president right? Post your thoughts.

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A Clear Case of Bribery By The Fashion Industy In France.

By: Jordan C. Fan, Prophet of Environment.

As you all know, France is one of the most important world center for the fashion industry. Paris is the hometown for many fashion designer and manufacturers of highly expensive clothings. Fashion shows are almost an everyday event.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy move to back the demands to ban the wearing of the Islamic burkha in France is uite obviously a clear case of bribery by the fashion industry to Sarkozy. Imagine how much those clothing factories in France can gain if Muslims were to get rid of their clothes and accessaries to buy new ones. The greed of the French people have insulted Islam as a religion and Muslims must now retaliate against such French atrocity.

Sarkozy must be arrested and brought to justice by French courts.

Jordan C. Fan, Prophet of Environment 2:47PM July 01, 2009

Many US citizens consider Sarko's declarations as an attack against an essential freedom. Indeed I guess that's hard to understand in your country where the individual rights are above all others.But it is not ANTI individual rights, it is PRO individual rights.All the women rights. And first : equality.

Equality is such an offending (or abstract?) concept for fundamentalists that it can't be understood. So maybe a new law will be necessary And this is a very sad sign of the times...I reckon.

Anyway, our secular constitution does not mention "super citizens" who could hide their face from public institutions (school, justice, police, ...) in any occasion. This is what a future law will have to give a ruling on.

a french dude 8:03AM July 01, 2009

President Sarkozy has every right to demand that France be a place that reflects French culture and values. Debasing women is not something that France aspires to and I agree with his view of the debasing attire worn by many Muslims -- yes, I've heard arguments of liberation that comes from it, etc.... I think it is hogwash. If Muslims don't like it, then they can go back to Algeria or another Muslim nation.

Also, France has serious problems with Muslims undermining their social stability. From Sarkozy's prior positions in gov't, he is all too aware of the destabilising force that Islam has become in France. He needs to fight back. It may be too little, too late. If he doesn't fight for France remaining French and reflecting French values, especially with regard to gender equality, then who will? Go Sarko!

TC of NY 11:33PM June 23, 2009

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