France: national assembly votes to ban Muslim face veils

CWN - July 14, 2010

By a 335-1 margin, France’s national assembly has voted to ban veils that cover the face. The nation’s senate is expected to approve the measure in September. Legislator Berengere Poletti called such veils a “prison for women” and a “sign of their submission to their husbands, brothers, or fathers.”

Only 1,900 of France’s five million Muslims wear burqas and veils that cover the face.

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  • Posted by: extremeCatholic - Jul. 15, 2010 10:03 PM ET USA

    The French discovered a long time ago that Muslims immigrating to France were not going to become politically and culturally French while retaining their Muslim faith. The would continue to be politically and culturally Muslim. Only now are the French discovering that Muslims will likely succeed in having France be assimilated into the Ummah in the 21st century, something that Abdul Rahman was unable to do in 732AD/110AH. The real issue is 5M Muslims support the burqas and all that follows.

  • Posted by: Ken - Jul. 15, 2010 3:15 AM ET USA

    "Only 1,900 of France’s five million Muslims wear burqas and veils that cover the face."? So "only" 1,900 women are treated like chattel.

  • Posted by: PhilipJPSmith5522 - Jul. 15, 2010 2:51 AM ET USA

    I am English and a Roman Catholic, I love France and the French. I believe that the French national assembly is actioning the highest possible intentions but I think and feel that this is wrong headed. This is contrary to the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity / sorority that underpin the constitutions of France, the United States and the European Union. I pray that the Senate will return this to the assembly asking them to reconsider.

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