France's lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved a ban on wearing burqa-style Islamic veils Tuesday, part of a concerted effort to define and protect French values that has disconcerted many in the country's large Muslim community. Proponents of the law say face-covering veils don't square with the French ideal of women's equality or its secular tradition. The bill is controversial abroad but popular in France, where its relatively few outspoken critics say conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy has resorted to xenophobia to attract far-right voters. The ban on burqas and niqabs will go in September to the Senate, where it also is likely to pass. Its biggest hurdle will likely come after that, when France's constitutional watchdog scrutinizes it. Some legal scholars say there is a chance it could be deemed unconstitutional. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/13/france-burqa-ban-french-p_n_644433.html
I don't understand how the hell this was actually passed. There is a huge population of Muslims in France. Half of the French team is Muslim (I don't know that for sure)!
Well, it's a big deal to ban it because it treads on a basic human Right (free worship), yet it's a big deal that some women are forced to go through stuff like wearing these things. If wearing it is voluntary, I don't see the harm. If it's forced, then the law should protect the women's freedom. I think there's more to it than just the burka thing. It's a shot across the bow: "no shari'ia law here."
