Issues of Hijab in France - Macron’s ‘Anti-Separatism’ Bill

Conflict between the French state and French Muslims has been a key area of contention throughout the country's history. Indeed, France is notorious for its various bans against Muslim women's religious clothing in a bid to curb the growing influence of Islam in what they wish to be a secular nation. However, these bans have a longstanding history of leading to an onslaught of controversy and debate. Whilst those who support restrictions on the Islamic veil argue that it opposes the principle of laïcité- or religious neutrality- those against restrictions feel that they discriminate against, and even violate the rights of, Muslims in France, since they limit their freedom to practice their religion in public.

Nowadays, the discussion surrounding the hijab in France is constantly growing more heated; it is likely that this is due to the most recent laws that are being debated at this very moment. Last month, the French Senate voted to approve an amendment banning Muslim women under the age of 18 from wearing the hijab anywhere in public. A second amendment would ban parents from participating in school trips and activities with their children if they are dressed in religious clothing. The ban was proposed by a group of senators from the conservative Republican Party (LR) and the European Democratic and Social Rally group (RDSE). It is true that the ban is not yet law, with France's National Assembly required to sign off on it before it can take effect; however, opposition to the amendment arose instantly, with some suggesting the proposed rule amounted to a "law against Islam".

The French Senate's move comes as part of the country's push to introduce a so-called "anti-separatism" bill, which it says aims to reinforce the policies of secularism and religious neutrality. However, the bill faces widespread criticism from those who argue that it singles out the minority Muslim population. Police would effectively be given the right to harass Muslims- and virtually anyone- wearing clothing deemed inappropriate by the ambiguous wording of the bill. Whilst some say that the bill does not explicitly target the Muslim population- rather, it aims to eradicate all religious symbols from the public sphere- when President Emmanuel Macron first introduced the bill in October 2020, he spoke explicitly about tackling "Islamist separatism," which he described as the French Muslim community's lack of willingness to renounce practicing their religion in public.

Last month, Amnesty International warned that the proposed law posed a "serious attack on rights and freedoms in France", and called for "many problematic provisions" of the bill to be scrapped or amended. The organisation, along with a large number of French Muslims, strongly opposes the ban as it deems it rooted in anti-Islamic sentiment. Now, the issue of the ban is being talked about all over the world, with the hashtag #HandsOffMyHijab circulating widely on social media; Muslims are speaking out against a law that would restrict their rights to freedom of religious expression.

The Burkini Ban

After many mayors and resorts in France imposed a ban on theburkini many people were left shocked at how such a progressive and democratic country could have such control over women’s clothing. The ban was met by much disagreement and many discussions on social media with the majority of people disagreeing with it as in today’s society it should be up to a woman herself to choose what she would like to wear and this ban took away that freedom.

This world-wide negative reaction led the courts in Nice to make a statement saying that the ban should be removed as it is seen as controlling and oppressive, they have stated that it is a “serious and manifestly illegal violation of fundamental freedoms”. Those who disagreed with the ban compared a burkini to a diving suit in order to highlight the hypocrisy and the weak grounds for the ban. 

Many of those who support the ban claim that it stems from the fear of terrorism - the ban only started after a terrorist attack on a French resort. However, the French courts said that this was not enough to issue such a ban as there is no connection between a woman wearing a burkini and terrorism.  Overall, the ban was not accepted by the general public with most people being open minded enough to see that by controlling a women’s clothing in such a manner it makes France no different to other oppressive countries. K A-K

Obama and the mosque

As promised, some arguments for and against the mosque in New York. The mosque or Islamic cultural centre is to be built two blocks away from ground zero, the space where the twin towers used to be until they were destroyed by Islamic extremists on 9/11. The Economist puts both points of view but very quickly refutes those against it. Here is the New York Times's reporting of three Congressmen's explanations of why they are against it. For Obama it is increasingly an important issue as in mid-August in a CNN poll 70% of people claimed that they were against the building of the mosque and there are mid-term elections in November...

What do you think? Is this bringing out latent islamophobia in America or should there be an islamic symbol so close to the place where those of that faith killed over 3,000 people?