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31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Signs In
amatullah
11/13/03 at 19:02:23
What can we do?????? Please don't forget to make dua in witr/qunoot

31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Signs In Schools


Jean Louis Debris

By Hadi Yahmid, IOL Paris Correspondent

PARIS, November 13 (IslamOnline.net) - The first official move since the issue of hijab in French schools sparked controversy was taken Wednesday, November 12, as a parliamentary committee recommended the implementation a law banning any religious or political signs in schools to allow secularism restore its strength in the European country.

"The committee advices adding a simple, concise and clear constitutional law that can’t be misinterpreted banning all religious and political signs in public schools," said the seven-pages report a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.

The ban should also include private schools that have specific contracts with the French government, the report said, adding that this will preserve the neutrality of French schools in general.

The 31-members committee, headed by Jean Louis Debris, head of the French Parliament, presented its report to the Parliament stressing that secularism is in "serious need" to be protected in France more than any other time.

The committee consisted of members representing all political parties in the parliament, namely 19 members from the ruling party, two from the French Socialist Party, two from the French Democratic Union Party, two from the Communist Party and two others from the Republican Party.

The issue of hijab has recently sparked much controversy in France, especially after the establishment of the first Muslim representative body in the country.

French Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon has earlier voiced support for a bill forbidding "wearing of any religious sings  in schools."

Speaking before a panel on secularism set up by President Jacques Chirac, Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon voiced his personal support for endorsing a bill forbidding "the ostentatious wearing of any religious sings in schools."

He argued this position was based on France's strict secular tradition in the public sector and in the interests of integrating immigrants by instilling French values.

"French schools are all expected to create an atmosphere of coexistence among the students irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Secularism, in short, is chosen by France and should be adopted by school curricula," he said.

President Chirac set up the secularity commission in July 2003 to rule on whether new legislation was needed to handle a growing debate over religion in schools, particularly Muslim schoolgirls wearing hijab.

France's 60-million strong population counts around five million Muslims, and tensions in some schools have risen recently with teachers ordering Muslim girls to take off their hijab or leave the class.

Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin did not rule out passing a law  to ban Muslim girls from wearing hijab to allow secularism restore its strength in the European country.

President Chirac further set up the secularity commission in July to rule on whether new legislation was needed to handle a growing debate over religion in schools, particularly Muslim schoolgirls wearing hijab.

It is expected to submit its report to Chirac by the end of this year after questioning a number of ministers and representatives of French non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and various syndicates
Re: 31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Sign
Fozia
11/14/03 at 06:28:02
[slm]


So would this ban include wearing jewelery in the form of, say a cross?? Or would that be considered discreet and inostentatious??


Wassalaam
Re: 31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Sign
Dawn
11/14/03 at 07:47:26
[slm]

[quote] So would this ban include wearing jewelery in the form of, say a cross?? Or would that be considered discreet and inostentatious??[/quote]

In my understanding, based on the discussion going on in France's next door neighbor, Switzerland, the proposed ban would be on all visible religious signs, including, among many others, crosses or crucifixes, pentacles, stars of David, yarmulkas and kippots, side curls, turbans, and yes, head scarves.  Nothing would be exempt.  If a student wanted to somehow totally hide one of these under his or her clothes for the entire time s/he is present on the school grounds, then the thought is that that would be permitted, but admittedly, many of these are hard to hide.  
Re: 31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Sign
Fozia
11/14/03 at 15:41:34
[slm]

Side curls too... what are they going to do forceably shave every orthodox jew???

Are there no Islamic schools in France or are they banned too?? It's when I read things like this I'm grateful I live in England.


Wassalaam
Re: 31 French MPs Recommend Banning Religious Sign
humble_muslim
11/17/03 at 10:29:39
AA

What about nuns who teach in Catholic schools?  Quick... call the Pope!!!!
NS


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