France, according to the constitution, is a secular, united and indivisible, republic. But is it in the process to abandon its principles? Are its core values condemned to be swept away by the whirlwind of globalization and multiculturalism?
About sixty members of the parliament are concerned about it and, under the leadership of a Communist MP, have requested the creation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry on the wearing of the burqa or niqab in the country.
It is unclear if this initiative will take effect, or what decisions could be made if it goes on. Would it be to ban fully veiled women in all circumstances, or only in public places? For now, government employees are not allowed to wear the veil. And in public schools, veils, and all other conspicuous signs of religious affiliation, are banned.
France has changed since the affair of the headscarf in schools, and the 2004 law which it has inspired. But wearing the scarf here and there in the suburbs, has turned into full veil covering the entire face, except the eyes. Furthermore, its adherents are not only foreign nationals, but for the most part French women, born and raised here.
If the observation is obvious, should we be resigned to accept the inevitable, as if it were the course of history? Should we just down play the phenomenon which would not necessarily grow too much? Or should we ignore it politely, in order not to throw oil on the fire, and reignite yet one of those wars which France knew how to make?
We know the positions of those who are most determined. On the one hand there are the proponents of secularism, which was won after hard struggle. For them, it is the French model of integration which is at risk, opening the door wide to communalism and the ‘coward Republic.’ On the other hand, there are the minority of apostles of the free expression of belief, who fear that the bans hitting Muslim customs might spread to other religions. There are also the legitimate fears of the advocates of gender equality, for whom the veiled woman is an imprisoned woman.
But beyond these well set ideas, one feels some shift in the opinions of the French. Many start to have some doubts about the relevance of our own model. But it is this same public that is worried about the possible entry of Turkey in Europe, and that denounces the situation of Iranian women.
Is it the Obama effect? On June 6, while in France, he called upon the Western countries not to interfere with the Muslims in the practice of their religion. A call to which our president responded in agreement, “including the question of the veil.” Favorable to ‘positive secularism’ and a better official acceptance of Islam, Nicolas Sarkozy feared in 2004 that the law on religious symbols in schools may be perceived as a punishment or a humiliation.
The debate is open, but the initiative of some of our deputies should be considered. France can not have its eyes shut to a reality which is more and more visible.
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Le Figaro