A controversial new law forcing Muslim women to stop wearing a traditional dress in public has just become law in France.
The veil, which covers the woman’s face except for the eyes, has been banned from today. Those who break the law faces either a fine or a small prison sentence.
Call me ignorant, but I do not understand why a piece of religious clothing is seen as a threat to secular society.
Western commentators often see Muslim women who dress with the veil as oppressed…. but are they? Is it such a problem that women want to wear this clothing? Are the French politicians, who are often perceived to be more enlightened than British ones, seem hell bent on turning back the clock on tolerance?
Make no mistake, this poorly drafted law is plain stupid, blatantly prejudiced, and plays into the hands of extremists who want to create social divisions with their ‘clashes of civilisations’. It may also encourage other governments to impose similar laws which in the long term may further restrict peoples’ freedom of movement between countries because of either the colour of their skin or for religious reasons.
We have our ‘problem’ with the veil over in Britain, but we must resist any attempt by Westminster politicians to impose such legislation here.