Something Agressive About Veil, Says Chirac

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 12-6-2003 | Jon Henley

[blam]

Something aggressive about veils, says Chirac

Jon Henley in Paris
Saturday December 6, 2003
The Guardian (UK)

Jacques Chirac hinted strongly yesterday that France will soon introduce legislation banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves to school, saying most French people saw "something aggressive" in the veil and that the secular state could not tolerate "ostentatious signs of religious proselytism". The French president's comments to secondary school students in Tunis followed a petition published yesterday by 60 prominent French women, including the actors Isabelle Adjani and Emmanuelle Beart and the designer Sonia Rykiel, calling for an outright ban on "this visible symbol of the submission of women".

Mr Chirac is due to make his position on the issue clear next week, when a special commission presents its findings on how to protect France's secular traditions. He stressed yesterday that he had no dispute with the vast majority of French Muslims, but added: "Wearing a veil, whether we want it or not, is a sort of aggression that is difficult for us to accept."

Critics argue that banning the veil from state institutions risks antagonising France's 5 million Muslims, and ignores the root problem: the failure to integrate immigrants of mainly north African origin.

But a clear majority of both the public and MPs favour a ban, believing it the only effective way to defend France's secular republic from the demands of militant Islam.

[BlessedBeGod]

Does France ban yarmulkes, too?

[Uncle Miltie]

None of the 9/11 hijackers wore skullcaps, so they must not have been "aggressive."

[muawiyah]

The French are hung up on clothing to an extraordinary degree.

Truly amazing the stuff these people who don't wear undergarments come up with too!

[Gritty]

But a clear majority of both the public and MPs favour a ban, believing it the only effective way to defend France's secular republic from the demands of militant Islam.

I've got a more effective way.

Send them back where they came from!

[Steel Wolf]

Why is this an issue? Once Sharia takes over, there will be no women in schools, so the scarf problem will be moot.

As far as aggression, you ain't seen nothing yet, France. (Although when you do, I imagine you'll find someone to surrender to in short order)

[hoot2]

"Something Agressive About Veil, Says Chirac "

[tet68]

"Got nothing to say eh," cried Jacques, as he struck the tar baby with his other hand!

[GeronL]

Can they also ban crosses and bibles?

[Mamzelle]

Hah. Chiraq hasn't the ballocks to do this thing.

[OK]

I read that half the people in Holland under the age of 18 are Islamic. France has 5 million of them. This could be a problem for the libertines.

[claudiustg]

Funny, the Turks did the same thing some time ago.

[org.whodat]

Can they also ban crosses and bibles?As I understand it they already are. After all it is a school not a church.

[GeronL]

We will be fighting terrorists in Europe before the next few decades are out.

[denydenydeny]

But Chirac is right here. In the West, the wearing of the veil has become an in-your-face political statement.

[sarasmom]

I agree.
It is a noxious provocation that will be responded to sooner, rather than later, here in the USA.
If they feel that strongly about their religion,then the must also believe it wrong to associate with us infidels.
They are free to leave this country.

[Irene Adler]

When Mustafa Kemal was westernizing and secularizing Turkey in the 1920s, he banned the wearing of the veil for women and the fez for men. Seems unreasonable by Western standards (and the Ataturk was definitely a dictator), but perhaps he understood the symbolism better than we do. He was very effective in modernizing Turkey.

[jagrmeister]

It's becoming increasingly obvious to the French public that Jacques Chirac is a senile old windbag who's alienated America and its allies. Apparently, his idea of winning back their favor is taking on this petty issue and targeting an ethnic minority. He's a disgusting human being and will always be remembered for his cowardice during the Iraq war.

[Lady Heron]

France was so stupid to let so many muslims in. Now they think that they can secularize(sp?) this population quickly by banning the veil??? Fat chance. So much for freedom. It recalls more evil times of European histroy.

Can we say civil war in less than 20 years.

[MrNatural]

"secularize" is correct. Nice home page.