Veils
French parliament approves ban on face veils
France's lower house of parliament has approved a ban on Islamic veils, a move that is popular among French voters despite the serious concerns of Muslim groups and human rights advocates.
In the national assembly, 336 members voted for the bill with just one against. Most members of the main opposition group, the Socialist party, refused to participate in the vote.
The ban on face-covering veils, or niqab, will go to the Senate in September, where it also is likely to pass. Its biggest hurdle will likely come after that, when France's constitutional watchdog scrutinises it.
Some legal scholars say there is a chance it could be deemed unconstitutional.
The main body representing French Muslims says face-covering veils are not required by Islam and not suitable in France, but it worries that the law will stigmatise Muslims in general.
France has Europe's largest Muslim population, estimated to be about 5 million of the country's 64 million people. While ordinary headscarves are common, only about 1,900 women in France are believed to wear face-covering veils.
At the national assembly, few dissenters have spoken out about civil liberties or fears of fanning anti-Islam sentiment.
Critics say the proposed ban is a cynical ploy by the conservative president, Nicolas Sarkozy, government to attract far-right voters.
(Published by The Guardian – July 13, 2010)