Yesterday I saw a very disturbing news item on the Internet. It was about France imposing the ban on burquas. I was shocked and disturbed to say the very least. This from France? The French consider themselves as the most civilized people in the world, and surely being civilized means ,at the very least, respecting others and their beliefs
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So whither with all this sudden hard-line attitude? Where, oh, where are the ideals of 'Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" on which the Republic was formed? Has France forgotten that she is home to the largest concentration of Muslims in Europe? Why then did she open her arms wide and invite diversity, if only to deny immigrants the freedom of attire in accordance to their faith? Was the invite spurred on by the need to fill the void left by World War II? The disturbing question, looms waiting in the wings : Will the rest of Europe follow suit? Then, it is surely the beginning of the "Gotterdamerung."
What is the case against the veil ? That it clashes with the existing cultural mores? Then it is purely cosmetic. In which case, ergo, the Sikhs in the UK and Canada have to divest themselves of their turban, or pagdi. What will follow then does not need any explanation.
France is a secular republic.Does not secularism warrant the freedom not just to practice one's faith but also the freedom to dress in accordance with one's culture and faith? Banning the veil then is the final betrayal of a so called "secular " system.
The argument that I have heard put forth here in India against the veil is based on the assumption that it deprives women "freedom." On the contrary. I used to work with a woman who wore the burqa to work. She told me about feeling "liberated" while wearing the dress. She could go about in public places anonymously she said, not fearing comments, and other harassment that young women in public sometimes encounter."Nobody notices me", she said "and I am thankful for that." wearing the naqab gives her the freedom to go to a college albeit a segregated one, commute to work in public transport, and a host of other things without being subject to preying male eyes. "Yes, Iam very happy. I have a wonderful husband, very supportive in-laws, my sisters-in-law work in public offices, they wear the burqa as well. why do you assume that we are unhappy and unprivileged because we are not like you?" What a wonderfully relevant question I thought then, and I realize now, more than ever.
Why do we assume at all? My husband once quipped at this with: "It only makes an ass of 'u' and me!" My sentiments exactly.
Maybe , just maybe, the French President will not sign this Act, which will then remain an Act in principle only. Maybe France will attempt to think not just of itself but about the fate of Europe that is hanging in balance with this act. I love French literature, art, and yes, I love Paris ---the grande dame of all cities. I care, therefore this post.
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Janis Joplin Me and Bobby McG.
.
So whither with all this sudden hard-line attitude? Where, oh, where are the ideals of 'Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" on which the Republic was formed? Has France forgotten that she is home to the largest concentration of Muslims in Europe? Why then did she open her arms wide and invite diversity, if only to deny immigrants the freedom of attire in accordance to their faith? Was the invite spurred on by the need to fill the void left by World War II? The disturbing question, looms waiting in the wings : Will the rest of Europe follow suit? Then, it is surely the beginning of the "Gotterdamerung."
What is the case against the veil ? That it clashes with the existing cultural mores? Then it is purely cosmetic. In which case, ergo, the Sikhs in the UK and Canada have to divest themselves of their turban, or pagdi. What will follow then does not need any explanation.
France is a secular republic.Does not secularism warrant the freedom not just to practice one's faith but also the freedom to dress in accordance with one's culture and faith? Banning the veil then is the final betrayal of a so called "secular " system.
The argument that I have heard put forth here in India against the veil is based on the assumption that it deprives women "freedom." On the contrary. I used to work with a woman who wore the burqa to work. She told me about feeling "liberated" while wearing the dress. She could go about in public places anonymously she said, not fearing comments, and other harassment that young women in public sometimes encounter."Nobody notices me", she said "and I am thankful for that." wearing the naqab gives her the freedom to go to a college albeit a segregated one, commute to work in public transport, and a host of other things without being subject to preying male eyes. "Yes, Iam very happy. I have a wonderful husband, very supportive in-laws, my sisters-in-law work in public offices, they wear the burqa as well. why do you assume that we are unhappy and unprivileged because we are not like you?" What a wonderfully relevant question I thought then, and I realize now, more than ever.
Why do we assume at all? My husband once quipped at this with: "It only makes an ass of 'u' and me!" My sentiments exactly.
Maybe , just maybe, the French President will not sign this Act, which will then remain an Act in principle only. Maybe France will attempt to think not just of itself but about the fate of Europe that is hanging in balance with this act. I love French literature, art, and yes, I love Paris ---the grande dame of all cities. I care, therefore this post.
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Janis Joplin Me and Bobby McG.
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