The Culture vs. Politics Debate

by Sharmeen Hirani

French lawmakers want to study the prevalence of the Islamic burqa in hopes of banning the customary garment on public French grounds. This proposal coming shortly after the 2004 banning of the headscarf along with other religious displays in public schools. For years, France has pushed to maintain its westernized traditions. A ban on the burqa, according to lawmakers, is a way to ensure the secular lifestyle is encouraged within the country. In support of this thought, President Nicolas Sarcozy states that the burqa seemingly is a sign of the “subjugation of women” and as such is “not welcome in France”. In addition, the head of the present conservative party, Jean – Francois Cope insists that the veiling of women presents a “problem of security and public order” because they conceal the wearer’s identity. Consequently, “these clothes exclude women from the national community, [and] deny their identity”.

The principle behind the garment, which has been in presence since before the establishment of Islam, is that the covering sustains the modesty of women. What most people do not realize is that the burqa and the niqab are not specifically a Quranic or Islamic decree.  According to the late Sir Shah Muhammad Sulaiman, a great authority on Islamic Law and Muslim society, “[The burqa’s] use is only traditional as copied from other nations, and which Muslims gradually exaggerated, giving it a religious significance… [the burqa] has no religious basis whatsoever.”  For years, strict Quranic interpretations had created a forceful law in conservative countries in the Middle East such as Taliban-led Afghanistan.  However, in countries that do not mandate the garment, some Muslim women wear it merely for the sake of preserving tradition.

The proposition has raised a few eyebrows and sparked a global debate amongst both religious and political figures around the world.  On the one hand, a country is looking out for their female members of society and equilibrating their status with their male counterparts. On the other hand, France expects women to sacrifice a preserved practice, which they have only known their entire lives.  A conundrum, indeed, but can there really be a right answer?

For the sake of liberating women through cultural reform, is it right for a government to completely ban a multi-century long tradition?

Here are what some Brown Girl readers had to say:

“Though they might feel they are liberating them, many Muslim women choose to wear it out of respect and tradition. Instead they are hindering these women from expressing themselves by outlawing [the hijab]”

“I feel that part of being a member of the 21^st century should include the right to act and dress however one wants. Much in the same way, the Jewish community would and should, protest at the banning of the yarmulke, so do Muslims have a right to protest the ban of burqas. It’s more than just religious, its cultural, and its ridiculous to think they have a legitimate reason for doing it. If they are concerned about the safety of citizens, beef up police forces. This also just reinforces in the minds of Muslim countries how seemingly anti-Islam the western world is.”

“I think it’s your basic right to be able to practice your religion and culture in any way you want. However, the issue here is religious, not cultural. A burqa is a symbol of the Islamic religion, granted it’s use is very subjective according to how religion is interpreted. If the government bans the burqa, then they need to use the same rues to outlaw rosary beads and crosses. Globalization and westernization should be applied to all religions”.

“Since when was it okay for a country to mandate what a person can or cannot wear? If westernization is so important, the freedom of expression should equally be kept up as a high standard. Women who cover themselves with the burqa or the headscarf are expressing their cultural tradition.  This may be all that these women know, and forceful dressing otherwise, may be traumatically embarrassing and uncomfortable.  Thus, by completely outlawing a form of dress, is France not (in reverse) defeating the purpose of its message of freedom?”

As the debate continues across the world, we can only hope that a deep discussion from both standpoints is ascertained before a final decision is made. Feel free to post your opinion!