head-scarf debate

Hey,

in some countries in europe (maybe somewhere else too) are a lot of discussions about wearing a head-scarf in public schools. In france for example, the government enects a law against the head-scarf in schools. Students will not be allowed to wear it in school. While there is a great deal of countrywide support for the government-backed ban, many others oppose it, saying it could lead to more problems than it will solve. There have been many complaints outside France, and not only from Muslims, who say the ban is discriminatory.

In germany, it's a bit different. They are discussing to forbid the head-scarf for teachers, not students. Article Four of our constitution guarantees equal treatment of all religions. But that hasn't kept the governments of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and five other German states from drafting laws that treat different religions very differently indeed. Effective this fall, schoolteachers will be banned from wearing Muslim headscarves - but not crucifixes, yarmulkes or even nuns' habits.

Now, Belgium would like to follow the example of France. So, more discussion about that...


So, what do you think about that?

to be blunt...i think its bull****. Wearing a head scarf is no diffrent than wearing a baseball cap, or a cross or star of david around your neck. its definitely discriminatory towards Muslims and other cultures. not cool in my opinion

I agree wholeheartedly with you neuromancer314 there is absolutely no reasoning behind these unjust and discrimanatory actions against Muslims which imo is who the Ban is "targeted" at
think about it what other nationallity on the majority wears head scarfs, all it is is more discrimination against the middle eastern people's no wonder so many dislinke westerners look at the way they are treated

I think that the problem is not only with the disequality between religions, but also with the fact that a seemingly democratic government like France decides that it's its job to tell its people how to fulfill their religion.
Just like you can't force your religion on others you cannot force your secularism on them. When the French government banned the headscarves, crosses, and yarmulkas they effectively told the public that they were performing their religion differently than is alright for them. That they were being too religious. I even remember reading an official French statement that said something along the lines of "The French citizens need to understand that the path to a better life goes through secularism".
Disgraceful. Just comes to show that France today is the one of the most bigoted and xenophobic countries in the world (if I am not much mistaken, they've also got the highest rates of anti-semitic crimes in the world. approx 50%).
Hopefully the Belgian and German publics will fight this rediculous phenomenon and stand up for their democracy.
Oh, and with teachers this forced secularism is just as bad as with students. It's still telling people what to believe in.

Do not be confused by France's seemingly "Democratic" goverment they havent been truly democratic for a while they are getting more and more Dictorial or Communistic and this ban only firther prooves it

Originally posted by Helios
Do not be confused by France's seemingly "Democratic" goverment they havent been truly democratic for a while they are getting more and more Dictorial or Communistic and this ban only firther prooves it

I wouldn't go that far but I agree with fym.

Anxious that the move would not appear anti-Islamic, the president Chirac also announced that the wearing of "big crosses", and Jewish skullcaps would also be banned. Chirac said that the Hand of Fatma, too, would be banned. (Apparently he didn't even know what that is because he pronounced it Fatima's Hand and appeared to think of it as Islamic symbol!)

it is wrong to see the " foulard" (head-scarf) as a symbol of conflict between Islam and the West. Chirac is wrong to present the " foulard" as a means by which Islam is trying to extend religion into the public space.

there should be major changed in France's politics.

The extreme right, especially the National Front, which won over 18 per cent of the votes in the presidential election almost two years ago, is trying to portray Islam as a religious threat to " Christian" France. The extreme left, led by Trotskyites, claims that Islam is now the only religion that can endanger France's secular traditions.

First of all, I do not see the porblem with haed-scarfs. The Koran does not force people to wear them, it only says that "all that provokes lust in men" should be covered.

Recently, in the Netherlands, a crime was commited by three men, and a female accomplice, wearing a head-scarf. Unfortunately, because of the few identification points, she could not be identified.

One reason to this ban, is probably the same reason why I am not allowed to wear a clown's mask in a bank: safety.
In my school, I'm not allowed to wear hats, or caps, simply because of the fact that it does not look respectful towards the teacher.
Therefore, head-scarfs are illegal as well (so was my wig last friday when I dressed up as a womam :)).

I understand the freedom of religion, no matter how much I despise it, but I'm not sure whether this is a campaign against the Islamic believes.

On a site note, if I am a woman, and I go to a country with the Koran as basic principle for Government, I am forced to wear a head-scarf!

If my religion says I have to wear a clown-mask everywhere, can I? Is religion really worth the comprimise of public and personal safety?

Myself, I think not.

HU

I'll give you the point of veiw of a muslim because I am one...
France is wrong in what it has done and you have already mentioned why....but the thinh HU said about scarfs is different...

In islam women are supposed to wear a head scarf and clothes that cover the whole body except the hands and the face, however they are not forced to do so, they are encouraged to but are still given freedom of choice so that they would eventually decide to wear it themselves. Women living in european countries must have to face great changes now because the French preident Jack Chirac is turning into an idiot like bush...i suspect many women will leave the country because of this.