What are your opinions?

Are headscarves a freedom or are they a symbol of oppression?

 

 

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/01/17/france.headscarves/index.html

 

Muslims protest at headscarf ban

 

PARIS, France (CNN) -- Hundreds of Muslims protested in Paris, London and other cities Saturday against the French government's plan to ban religious symbols -- including headscarves -- from state schools.

 

The proposed ban, which has not been ratified by the French government, would take effect with the new school year in September and includes Sikh turbans, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crucifixes.

 

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Paris' Place de la Republic, chanting and carrying placards calling on French President Jacques Chirac's government to reject the ban.

 

In London, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the French Embassy to oppose the ban on the Muslim hijab, or headscarf.

 

"The hijab is a freedom, our right," said an organizer of the protest. "It is not a symbol."

 

She rejected the claims of some people that the hijab is a symbol of women's oppression, saying instead that the law itself would oppress Muslim women.

 

Men and women protested separately in London, carrying signs proclaiming that "secularism has failed the world" and chanting for "female dignity" and an end to "secular vanity."

 

Protests were also held in other cities in France and around the world, including Nice and Toulouse, France; Amman, Jordan; Istanbul, Turkey; and Beirut, Lebanon.

 

Media reports indicated that Sikh populations in France were planning protests later this month.

people should recognize that tolerating religious symbols is different from endorsing them.

 

long story short, i think that ban is absurd.

most women where I work wear them because they want to and they don't look oppressed to me its a western myth I think

banning it is definately stupid and offensive

yeah there was a huge protest here too and I totally agree that the ban is ridiculous!!! :rolleyes: :/

yeah there was a huge protest here too and I totally agree that the ban is ridiculous!!! :rolleyes: :/

 

*agrees*

Yep, methinks it's pretty ridiculous too. :rolleyes:

methinks it contrives with human rights but I have noticed the think tanks and the spin doctors have started the discussion over here in the UK.

Personally I think it is out of order, however I did start to watch a intresting prgramme about this issue last night

Whats a headscarf? :/

*walks up and down my little country street* HEADSCARVES FOR ALL

Why would they ban those?

I don't think they should ban them, it shoud be people's to wear them for religious purposes or whatever. Plus the protest shows that many people don't like the idea of a ban.