French Burqua Ban Begins in Public Places

A French law banning the wearing of specific Muslim garments by women went into affect Monday, causing a scattering of individual protests across Paris by Muslim women.  Two women were arrested at Notre Dame Cathedral, while one woman from a Paris suburb is quoted as saying she will not remove her veil at a playground., according to CNN.

women wearing the niqab

Only two garments have been banned in public places by the government: a niqab, a full-body garment which leaves an open slit over the eyes, and the burqua, a full-body garment with a mesh covering over the eyes.

The hijab, a scarf wrapped around the head and neck only, leaving the face exposed, are permitted. Hijabs are the most common garment outside of countries like Afghanistan with a strong Taliban influence. The chador, a full-body garment that leaves the face exposed, is also permitted by French law.

If police see a women violating the new regulation, they are required to either fine her €150 or she can take a citizenship course. The law stresses police not to forcibly remove the veil, but rather ask her to remove it and identify herself. If she refuses to do so in public, police must escort her to the station and get her information there.

Husbands are also prohibited from forcing their wives to wear face-covering veils. Any man found to have ordered any woman to wear one faces a fine of €25,000 and can even receive a jail sentence, according to BBC Radio 1.

While fewer than 2,000 women, many of whom are French-born citizens, wear full veils, French officials say the law attempts to promote equality and that the veils segregate society. "The full veil is contrary to the dignity of women," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in April last year.


However, several issues arise form the ban, including the rate of immigration of people from Muslim nations in North Africa, and the rising presence of Muslims in Europe, have sparked concern among French people. With the largest Muslim population on the continent, France has a palpable undercurrent of animosity towards Muslims in a traditionally Christian society.


Many say the ban is a violation of religious freedom and will only further misunderstanding between demographics.