Two very interesting articles on the Burqa politics in Europe: Why France’s Burqa Ban is a Terrible Idea http://thefastertimes.com/immigration/2009/07/11/sarkozy-feigns-feminism-for-anti-immigrant-burqa-ban/
Burqa Politics in France http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=burqa_politics_in_france Basically, I don't like the idea of one section enforcing their views on another, and using some high-sounding principle to justify it. In what way is this different from the Portuguese colonial diktats on how Goans needed to be dressed when entering Panjim and other urban areas? Or the campaigns to get Sikhs to wear helmets, when their religion requires them to wear a turban? Or the 1990 fiat in favour of "regional language" primary school education in Goa ("studying in the mother tongue is good for the child", etc)? Who decides whether the sari or salwar-khameez, the pre-Vatican II veil for Mass, the mini, tight jeans or the bikini is a suitable garb for women? Some aging men who decide to play politics in the name of setting down standards? Just doesn't make sense... FN
