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Chirac denounces Muslim headscarves on schoolgirls as offensive
Swiss Info ^ | 12/05/03 | Sophie Louet

Posted on 12/05/2003 5:31:12 PM PST by freedom44

TUNIS (Reuters) - President Jacques Chirac has denounced Muslim headscarves on schoolgirls as offensive and expressed concern about Islamic fundamentalism as momentum builds up in France to bar all religious symbols from public schools.

Speaking on a visit to Tunisia on Friday, Chirac said the strictly secular French state could not let pupils wear what he called "ostentatious signs of religious proselytism" and saw "something aggressive" in the wearing of traditional Muslim veils.

Chirac's comments to pupils at the French lycee in Tunis sharpened the shrill headscarf debate in France, which has seen diffuse popular concerns about Islam, women's rights and Muslim immigration develop into a broad movement to ban the veil.

More than 60 prominent French women, including actresses Isabelle Adjani and Emmanuelle Beart and designer Sonia Rykiel, issued a petition on Friday, urging a ban on "this visible symbol of the submission of women".

"We cannot accept ostentatious signs of religious proselytism, whatever they are and whatever the religion," said Chirac, who is due to receive a special report on enforcing secularism next week in preparation for a possible ban.

"In our public schools, a veil has something aggressive about it which presents a problem of principle, even if only a small minority wears it."

Critics say banning a bit of cloth ignores the root cause of problem, the failure to integrate France's five million Muslims -- mostly of North African origin -- into French society.

Muslim women and girls argue that banning them would infringe on their freedom of religion.

Only a handful of schools have expelled girls for insisting on wearing veils, but polls show a majority of voters favour a ban and parliamentarians are ready to pass one into law.

Referring to Islamic fundamentalists, who many anti-veil activists say pressure girls into covering their heads, Chirac also spoke out against "certain schools of Islam that are not compatible with secularism".

He said all religions had known in their history "times when suddenly there is a deviation or drift that leads to excesses that stoke useless fights and totally oppose the essence of religion, which is love and respect for others".

Chirac stressed he had no dispute with the large majority of French Muslims, many of whom are born in France and have full French citizenship, and admitted that Paris had to do more to ensure they are better integrated into French society.

Political momentum against the veil picked up on Thursday when 30 parliamentarians came out in favour of an even more explicit ban than Chirac hinted at, substituting the word "visible" for the more debatable term "ostentatious".


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: france
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Making Sense?
1 posted on 12/05/2003 5:31:12 PM PST by freedom44
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To: freedom44
and saw "something aggressive" in the wearing of traditional Muslim veils

Indeed, Chirac is making sense lately.

2 posted on 12/05/2003 5:33:17 PM PST by RightWhale (Close your tag lines)
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To: freedom44
I've run into static from the FReepers on this before, but here goes again.

I'm offended that a national politician could be so bigoted. Let me guess, Chirac is offended by Yarmulkes also. And he'd be offended by an Amish population with its distinctive dress, or B'Hais, or Sikhs.

Yes, Islamiscists are a problem, but this guy's bigotry is a problem too, IMO

3 posted on 12/05/2003 5:35:38 PM PST by BenLurkin (Socialism is Slavery)
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To: freedom44
NOTE: His name is spelled Chiraq :))
4 posted on 12/05/2003 5:37:27 PM PST by ChadGore (Kakkate Koi!)
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To: BenLurkin
Bigotry? Seems he's talking about ALL symbols that are religious in nature. France has opened it's doors wide open and now is dealing with the ramifications of their policies.. just as we are and it will get worse before if gets better ..that is if it's not too late for us.. (and France)
5 posted on 12/05/2003 5:38:22 PM PST by Zipporah
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To: freedom44
France has brought this problem on themselves....now they have to live with it.

America needs to look at France as a portent of things to come if we don't control immigration to our country.
6 posted on 12/05/2003 5:40:01 PM PST by duckbutt (God Bless America.......Again!)
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To: BenLurkin
There's a big difference.

For instance in countries like Iran- the required veil has become a radical symbol of oppression used by the regime. Hence the fact that the youth push them all the way back with face makeup, and often burn them in demonstrations.

It's not the 'freedom to wear the veil' concept, it's the symbolism behind the modern conception of the veil.
7 posted on 12/05/2003 5:42:07 PM PST by freedom44
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To: freedom44
This may incite some religous "fundementalism" from some Muslims causing them to blow up the Eifel Tower. I guess France would be onboard witht he war on terrorism after that wouldn't they?
8 posted on 12/05/2003 5:43:20 PM PST by Tempest
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To: ChadGore
Head scarves, like these:

I have no problem with. It's Islamic policy against Jooos, Christians and others that I have problems with. Like Car bombs, Hijacked airplanes, destruction of Isreal aad most of the Western World.
9 posted on 12/05/2003 5:44:58 PM PST by Dallas59
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To: freedom44
>Critics say banning a bit of cloth ignores the root cause >of problem, the failure to integrate France's five million >Muslims -- mostly of North African origin -- into French >society.

That's just it, they don't have, never have had any intention of becoming "french" society. They want to go there and get the handouts, but don't want to actually integrate. They (most muslims) want the world to integrate to them.
10 posted on 12/05/2003 5:45:11 PM PST by sunryse
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: RightWhale
Methinks Chirac doth protest a bit too much. It looks to me like convenient scapegoating for political points against those Arabs who are least likely to provide resistance.

Schoolgirls wearing headscarves is hardly 'aggressive', particularly in relation to other Islamic activities going on these days.

The policy itself may have some validity, but I'm not going to leap to give Chirac credit for dismantling political correctness regarding Islam.

12 posted on 12/05/2003 5:50:23 PM PST by Monti Cello
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To: Monti Cello
There appears to be more to it than just a simple assertion of being in a different definable social group. There is a major controversy in France about this and related matters. In the context, Chirac has given a political opinion. If it becomes a general outcry, there could be trouble.
13 posted on 12/05/2003 5:55:48 PM PST by RightWhale (Close your tag lines)
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To: Zipporah
"Seems he's talking about ALL symbols that are religious in nature."

That is exactly the problem. This demonstrates how far left France has gone that the government fears any religious proselytism.

14 posted on 12/05/2003 5:57:22 PM PST by BenLurkin (Socialism is Slavery)
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To: playitagainbob
Are they impervious to explosive force?
15 posted on 12/05/2003 6:01:46 PM PST by Tempest
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To: freedom44
He's got a lot more to worry about from the Muslims than headscarves! Since I'm not a fan of either one of these groups, I'll have to stay out of this debate.
16 posted on 12/05/2003 6:03:22 PM PST by beaversmom
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To: freedom44
From the article:

"We cannot accept ostentatious signs of religious proselytism, whatever they are and whatever the religion," said Chirac . . .

"Whatever the religion" says Mr. Chiraq.

17 posted on 12/05/2003 6:07:07 PM PST by BenLurkin (Socialism is Slavery)
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To: freedom44
Sounds like some Muslim home schooling, or lessons at the Mosque with some special invitged guests are on the horizon. -Tom
18 posted on 12/05/2003 6:13:17 PM PST by Capt. Tom (Anything done in moderation shows a lack of interest. - Capt. Tom)
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To: freedom44
Sounds like some Muslim home schooling, or lessons at the Mosque with some special invited guests are on the horizon. -Tom
19 posted on 12/05/2003 6:14:16 PM PST by Capt. Tom (Anything done in moderation shows a lack of interest. - Capt. Tom)
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To: freedom44
"Making sense?"

For once he is. Paper bags with tiny slits cut out for eyes, would be more stylish.
20 posted on 12/05/2003 6:19:12 PM PST by F.J. Mitchell (But maybe it's just my imagination.)
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