The European Extremists and their Burqa Ban
Sajida Farheen Farhee, a media research analyst at Geo TV, writes that "placing restrictions on women wearing the veil in the public sphere is as much a violation of their rights as is forcing them to wear it."
The European tradition of secularism appears to be haunted by the Islamic veil. After Belgium became the first European country to ban the burqa in public places, many others such as France, Austria, and the Netherlands are trying to follow suit. And while the question is still up for debate in most places, France has taken the plunge and joined Belgium’s boat in placing a total ban on the burqa.
On May 18, French President Nicolas Sarkozy received full backing from the Council of State – France’s highest legal advisory body – to pass the legislation that imposes this ban. The banning of the veil is in accordance with the state view that such clothing is “an affront to the nation’s values.” Now if a woman is caught wearing one beyond the enforcement date, she will be charged a fine of €150, or can choose to take a citizenship course as punishment. Furthermore, fathers and other relatives who force their women to wear the burqa can face imprisonment for up to a year, or pay an exorbitant fine of €15,000.
Placing restrictions on women wearing the veil in the public sphere is as much a violation of their rights as is forcing them to wear it. Both violate basic human rights, but I am surprised as to why, for the West, the latter is an act of extremism but not the former. When Islamic countries force women to cover their heads within state premises it is considered as extremist, illiterate and conservative behaviour. But when western countries deprive Muslim women of their right to cover their face and body, it becomes justifiable and is accepted.
Many human rights organisations have raised their voice against the ban on the burqa. Amnesty International said a ban would set a “dangerous precedent.” In an official statement, they said it would “violate the rights of freedom of expression and religion of those women who wear the burqa or niqab as an expression of their identity and beliefs.”
“I’m not oppressed; it was my choice, I chose to wear the naqab” is a recurring refrain among the many women who have been living in the West for several years now and wearing the burqa of their own free will. With the law banning the burqa, they feel they are being discriminated against. “People should have the right to wear what they want to wear, the government should not dictate what people should wear.” Others treat it as an attack on their faith and are ready to pay a fine rather than stop wearing the veil.
The ban exposes the dual standards of the supposedly ‘liberal and secular’ West. The French president, who calls himself the most moderate leader, recently said: “The burqa has no place in France.” Moderate indeed!
There is speculation that the ban on the the veil will have serious consequences for European countries on the economic front. France is the second most popular holiday destination for Middle Eastern travellers after Britain, and veiled women are a common sight in the luxury stores on Paris’ shopping boulevards. The full-face veil is particularly common in the Gulf, and France now risks losing hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern tourists who fear their privacy will be violated if the country enforces the ban.
According to the manager of a UAE-based travel agency, “People from this region are particularly sensitive about their privacy. They want to enjoy themselves without the fear of harassment.” A general manager at a Saudi-based travel agency says since most Middle Eastern tourists travel in family groups, if even one member in the group wears the veil, France will automatically be struck off their holiday destinations.
Some time back, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the sport’s Zurich-based governing body, replaced the Iranian girls’ football team with Thailand’s for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Singapore as some of the Iranian girls covered their heads. FIFA had to lift that ban after a letter it received from the Iranian authorities that stated: “The entire world should respect Muslims’ rights and consider Islamic rules and values as a crucial factor when dealing with Muslim countries’ women football teams. If the hijab covers the hair without violating the rules of the game, the female footballers must be allowed to use it and the Iranian players should be allowed to participate in this summer’s Olympic games in Singapore.”
This, and President Obama’s statement, “In the United States our basic attitude is that we’re not going to tell people what to wear,” makes Muslims and all human rights organisations hope that Europe, particularly France, will review the ban on the burqa.
This article originally appeared in the June 2010 print version of Newsline under the shortened headline “The European Extremists.”
Speaker’s Corner is a forum for reader’s views. Readers are invited to send in contributions on any subject under the sun. Contributions should be between 600-1,000 words and may be edited for space and clarity. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect Newsline’s editorial policy.
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Its a wonderful write up, presenting a true picture of west , very few people have this courage to write on such bold topics
I am Environmental Consultant & frequently visit USA & West I’m really impressed Sajida Article its true representation of current situation in USA & Others Countries. I hope USA & others countries Governmental officials and scholars think about same direction and prevent war among different religions.
JAWEED AHMED
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT
Well, the ban on Burqa in few European countires is because they have fear of bomb blast and terrorism from, particularly, Muslims. It means all Muslims are terrorist are suicide bombers; it directly attacks our basic and religious rights. I really condemn the ban on the Burqa…
As Ms Sajjida already mentioned, the ban on Burqa shows France, Belgium and other countries’ democracy, secularism, and liberalism . . . .
And the fear was created by a couple of goons by terror attacks. Now all Muslims are pying heavy price for not paying attention to this menace in time.
Well done Sajida
Forcing women to not wear the Hijab is as bad as forcing women to wear it. If western world really supportive about human rights, so then why they still against about Muslim women rights…
It is your good effort for Islamic women’s this article to rises consciousness level of Islam and Islamic laws
Hijab ban in Europe Reflected their fear of rising of Islam in west.
I completely agree with the article, it’s a good idea to modify Islamic tradition. I think the best way of promoting its value
Dear writer,
Could you kindly help me understand the logic behind giving your photograph alongside your article in which no one sees your face? I mean logically speaking a photograph is something for facial recognition. So if that is not your purpose as no one can recognise a face covered in black veil, what is the point in placing it on top of your article? Or is it that logic is lost in this case?
Ms Sajida Farheeen Ferhee wrote excellent essay and try to best to view the real face of western countries.
this ban is unfair.western countries known the best seculer and liberalel countries in the world.After this ban all western countries espose in the world .
@ Ilyas
Dear don’t u read that article, it is about the importance of veil in the life of a muslim lady and her reaction when deprived of that right in Western countries. Sajjda has written that article as she is highly touched by the injustice being done to the muslim women in west. and my dear the only purpose of posting a picture covered with a veil on top of the article i guess is nothing but to follow the policy of the magazine. If you are a regular reader of newsline that you should be well aware of this that it is a necessity to post a pic in the speakers column section. and it is appear from the pic that sajjada takes a shairah Hijab. To let her voice and point of view reached to the masses she has no objection in sending a pic that suits to the policy of the magazine as well as did not go against her religious values.
This article is brilliant effort of you and it’s about women’s rights it is against human rights to ban wearing of particular dress (burqa).
Think it and dont just put the blame on burqa or Muslims. This is gross intolerance and is unacceptable in a free society
Very Impressive & touching heart somewhere.I appreciate your positive approach to ponder upon such a hot topic
towards the very important issue.I’d urge the muslim women of 20th century to atleast favour it,rather passing undue comments & avoid making sense out nonsense.
Well done Sajida!May Allah shower His blessings upon you!
Well done Sajida!
We believe so…Curse upon western thoughts…
Good aricle; favoring ladies of all religions.
Its a very good column. My thinking is quite similar to the one who wrote this. I am strongly in favor of this topic. Their action on ban hijab shows their jealousy towards Islam. This topic translate my opinion.They have no right to criticize others religious values.
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