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Although seemingly paradoxical, France’s ban on the public burka is actually a victory for tolerance, writes William Langley in The Telegraph. The controversial law which bans clothing that covers the face went into effect this April, but, despite publicized outrage, the measure actually enjoys overwhelming support from the French public and reinforces the concept of secularism so important to French identity and culture.
For over 100 years, French law has prohibited “the state from recognizing, funding or favoring any religion. Schools are strictly non-faith and all public bodies must be free of religious influence.” Although some will say this does not allow Muslim women to practice their religion, many women are forced to wear the burka, sometimes upon threat of violence or death. This type of attitude “can only be construed as a deliberate affront to the basic tenets of civil life in proudly secular France.” Secularism is taken seriously in France and this is “a statement in support of liberalism against darkness.”
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