Tel-Chai Nation

Because that way, it'll be a step towards more improvements, like banning other such ghastly and oppressive garments as well. From the UK Telegraph (via Hot Air Headlines):

France will take the first step towards barring Muslim women from wearing the full veil on Tuesday when a parliamentary panel will recommend banning the face-covering in public locations.

The proposal, which calls for a ban of the veils in hospitals and schools, falls short of an outright ban after critics argued that such a move would be divisive and possibly unconstitutional in a country where Islam is the second-largest religion.

The panel's report, to be released on Tuesday, is the culmination of a six-month inquiry into why a tiny minority of Muslim women wear such veils and the implications for France.

I would recommend banning them in banks and libraries too, and maybe even in electronics stores.

But there's some disappointment to be found here too:

Now Muslim religious leaders, along with many experts, warn that a "general and absolute" law banning face-covering attire in the streets would stigmatise all Muslims and have other dire consequences, even driving some to extremism.

They were joined last week by Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders who said they consider such a drastic step unnecessary. Monsignor Andre Vingt-Trois said he was not against anti-veil rules in "precise places," but did not want to see the state become involved with how people dress. "Shall we choose between the full-body veil and nude women in ads on top of a four-wheel drive?" he said last week.

Jewish residents are among the biggest victims, and the Church is too, and they're kowtowing, presumably because they think it'll help them? Any Jewish community member who tries to sabotage an effort to defend the country they're living in is only inviting resentment and making people rightfully concerned feel stupefied. Who are these incredibly stupid people sabotaging Europe's efforts to defend itself from Islamic extremism? They don't speak for me, and are only helping to cause more harm.

Update: while we're on the subject, Italy's foreign minister has also called for a ban of the veil (via Jihad Watch):

Florence, 27 Jan. (AKI) - Italy's foreign minister Franco Frattini on Wednesday voiced his opposition to the face veil. Women wearing the garment pose security issues and symbolise "a refusal to integrate" by Muslim immigrants in a host country, he said.

''Let's ask ourselves if covering one's face isn't the first sign of refusal to integrate and closing oneself off... from the host community and its traditions," Frattini said.

He was speaking at a conference of young publishers taking place in the Tuscan city of Florence, a day after France moved a step closer to banning the face veil.

A French parliamentary committee on Tuesday issueda report recommending a partial ban on the face veil in hospitals, schools, government offices and on public transport.

"It is the symbol of the repression of women, and... of extremist fundamentalism," said French parliament speaker Bernard Accoyer upon the presentation of the report.

France's parliamentary recommendation is expected to be followed by the drafting of a bill and a parliamentary debate on the issue of the face veil, which has sparked heated debate in many European countries.

"I would not legislate on the face veil but would tackle the issue through a wider process," Frattini said, noting that it raised also security problems.

''When someone enters a bank or a public office veiled from head to toe, it seems logical to me there is a security issue," he said.

My thoughts exactly!

Update 2: and in related news, the mosque of an imam who has liberal positions on women's status in Islam and has done interfaith work with the Jewish community was threatened by radicals.

Labels: anti-semitism, France, islam, Italy, misogyny