French Burqa Vote Stirs Strong Reaction

16 July 2010

A woman wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, walks in the Belsunce district of downtown Marseille, central France, 19 Jun 2009 France's lower house of Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of banning women from wearing the full Muslim veil – the face-covering niqab and the burqa – in public. Some say the move is necessary for security while others say it is religious discrimination against Muslims.

The vote was overwhelming Tuesday – 336 - 1. More than 200 opposition Socialists and Communists boycotted the ballot, with some predicting the law would be overturned in court.

However, French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, said the vote upholds values France has held for centuries.

"These are values that remind us that France is never as big, as strong, as recognized in the world, as when it is united around its values,” she said. “Humanitarian values, which today as yesterday forge our unity, our uniqueness and the greatness of France."

Ongoing Dispute

The controversy over the burqa and the niqab in France has been ongoing for years. About five million Muslims live in France, and only a minority of Muslim women wears the garments that conceal either all but their eyes or their entire identity.

Ibrahim Hooper is a spokesman for the Washington-based