Topic: Burqas in France

Sarkozy announced in June that burqas were “not welcome” in France.

What are the possible benefits of banning dress and symbols such as the burqa?

• Women are not oppressed, treated like property
• Many women are forced to wear the burqa by family
• Reduce abuse in religious community due to visibility

What are the drawbacks?

• Revocation of the option to wear the burqa removes a right women previously had
• When you make something taboo, people cling to it – create an alternative, attractive culture
• Infringing upon the personal, non-offensive wear of the religious

Is the state justified in taking such action against personal religious symbols?

• Separation of church and state has benefitted the religious as well as the non-religious
• One must determine the infringement upon personal rights
• Is the law motivated by nationalism/overbearing secularism taking away personal right to religious expression?
• The secular members of society expect freedom from oppression – applying this same oppression to the way of life for the religious can be seen as hypocritical and counter-productive
• In a blanket ban on the burqa, you eliminate the choice of women who are not being forced to wear it
• Many women see the burqa for its original purpose – modesty to avoid being objectified

Why might France seek to outlaw the wearing of the burqa?

• Oppressive of women
• Hides identity of wearer – possible hidden threat
• Religious symbols are already banned in French schools – children cannot wear crucifixes or any other type of outward religious symbolism