Sarkozy: Burqas 'Not Welcome' In France

(AP)  President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out Monday at the practice of wearing the Muslim burqa, insisting the full-body religious gown is a sign of the "debasement" of women and that it won't be welcome in France.

The French leader expressed support for a recent call by dozens of legislators to create a parliamentary commission to study a small but growing trend of wearing the full-body garment in France.

In the first presidential address in 136 years to a joint session of France's two houses of parliament, Sarkozy laid out his support for a ban even before the panel has been approved - braving critics who fear the issue is a marginal one and could stigmatize Muslims in France.

"In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity," Sarkozy said to extended applause in a speech at the Chateau of Versailles southwest of Paris.

"The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement - I want to say it solemnly," he said. "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic."

In France, the terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black, with slits for the eyes.

Later Monday, Sarkozy was expected to host a state dinner with Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani of Qatar. Many women in the Persian Gulf state wear Islamic head coverings in public - whether while shopping or driving cars.

France enacted a law in 2004 banning the Islamic headscarf and other conspicuous religious symbols from public schools, sparking fierce debate at home and abroad. France has Western Europe's largest Muslim population, an estimated 5 million people.

A government spokesman said Friday that it would seek to set up a parliamentary commission that could propose legislation aimed at barring Muslim women from wearing the head-to-toe gowns outside the home.

The issue is highly divisive even within the government. France's junior minister for human rights, Rama Yade, said she was open to a ban if it is aimed at protecting women forced to wear the burqa.

But Immigration Minister Eric Besson said a ban would only "create tensions."

A leading French Muslim group warned against studying the burqa.

[tizzysurffs]

I remember that incident! Fellow ran out of the place with people thinking it was a woman or whatever I really do not care because crime is crime this one just happen to stand out because of the way the person was dressed was precieved as the person was peaceful when in fact they wanted to stick the place up and steal other people's money.

[tizzysurffs]

Yeah France always help out!!! Seem Friendly

[tizzysurffs]

I rather enjoy sex actually and to say that a person wearing a pair of shorts is asking for sex is wrong. I think adults know when, where, and what for sex means. I can see covering up like the Canadians, or if your home was 10 miles outside of Anartica, but on a 60 degree day or better "it just don't make any sense" if you are in another country then why can't anyone try to live by the rules. I know there is bad everywhere so why go from bad to worst.

[undisclosed001]

its funny how u all sit there talking about how Islam degrades women or even the burqa when everyday hundreds of women get raped and harassed in ur country....what respect do u show ur women wen u take them out with their bodies half or literally all exposed for other men to prey on?..is this wat u call freedom for ur sisters, wives and daughters????
if any of u had such respect and true love for ur fellow women then ud encourage them to cover themselves as God has made women precious in soo many ways....its not for her to display herself out there and let her body be used as some sort of sex object.
yes thats exactly how most westerners (not all) treat ur females...i mean when it comes to advertising and so many things u use there bodies as a form of sex object to attract men....in what sence is this a form of dignity and respect u show us women???
the french government loves to prey on women himself therefore hes afraid incase the covering spreads he'll have no one to prey on....i understand where people r cummin from when u use the argument that ppl could be hidin weapons but why punish all when one silly man who was NOT a muslim did the wrong act?

Why ridicule the religion when most have no clue wat its about.
Its coz we dont noe the meaning of life and we have lost all forms of respect and modesty....we?re more or less becoming so use to doing the wrong that when a religion that comes forth which preaches good, honesty, peace and love is ridiculed as a religion that spreads hate and disrespect. If only we knew the meaning of such terms then we'd not sit here an argue on such pathetic issues

[tizzysurffs]

Huuhhh correct me if I am wrong; but when God created woman "Eve" was she dressed in long robs. Or was the woman wearing her birthday suit. When you think vile you become depraved and to speak of God who has proven to be righteous, is not proper. This measure has nothing to do with Religion. The people or the ruler has a way that works for the citizen of the country. Adam wore his birthday suit until Eve decided to she wanted to know more and out of shame they covered thier bodies. Think about it out of shame, now please tell me exactly why you are saying these things.

[mypatch]

What is he doing? He is going to force the fathers and husbands to ban their women from ever going out in public. He's not doing the women a favor! He's going to make prisoners of them. This is a tradition that will soon come to an end if you leave it alone. Did he think about this before he enacted this law?

[YrSoWrong]

The boys of the CBS Coward Squad should all wear burqas. It will make them look as tough as Arab women (which they really aren't).

[gravyboat3000]

grayfrier...One incident? And these guys weren't even muslims, what's next, some losers dress up as nuns and attempt to rob a bank? Resulting in banning any type of religious dress?

I'm sorry for the officer, and his family, but this wasn't a case of muslim violence, so why go after them?

Again, I'm not defending the burqa, I'm just saying where does it stop?

Hasidic Jews being forced to shave their beards?

This is Muslim targeting, nothing more.

And how many women in France even where the damn thing?

[grayfrier]

gravyboat3000
Here is the link for you to read so you can read about it yourself
http://www.odmp.org/officer/19359-sergeant-stephen-liczbinski

[revlin1]

THANK GOD some country is getting sensible on this issue. enuf is enuf already. Ask hubby regarding this issue...he cannot even relax in crowds after his almost 4 yrs inside Iraq...back to back tours...he finds crowds (even those NOT DRESSED UP AND COVERED) a BIG problem. He will find the French president refreshing and FINALLY.

[oftencensord]

Wow, how embarrassing for France, look pretty foolish SarkoZi.
First of all who made you the authority on religious clothing and expression? And isn't banning a religious outfit PERSECUTION ?
It just exemplifies the "western" arrogance towards beliefs, cultures, social standing, that does meet today's pop values.... which by the way has been issued to most people by the entertainment industry and advertising.

If wearing a burqa means you are not giving permission to look upon women as a sexual object, a man's play thing, then who is really debasing women... France ?

[legacyabq]

western arrogance towards what beliefs? The beliefs in Muslim countries? Um, a big NO there, oftencensord (BTW, dont kid yourself with your name, your not important enough for anybody to BOTHER censoring you.. How did your ego get so big?)..

The prez of France is talking about HIS COUNTRY not some muslim country.. Cant you see? This is about the values of the WEST, IN THE WEST. Where does it say that he said people cant wear burqas in their own country?It doesnt..

YOU are saying essentially that the WEST is NOT ALLOWED to have ITS OWN VALUES. You are saying that we are required to adopt to others' values, BUT THEY AREN'T REQUIREDTO ADOPT OURS!!

Why is that? Why the inconsistency? Are not we also a society?Do we not have the right to our own values? Why is it OK for people to force their values on us, and then you cry out for them, for us to accept them, and then insult the West as "arrogant"?

What country do you live in exactly? Can I come there and tell you all your traditions are wrong and stupid? SHould I sue you in your courts to MAKE YOU conform, to MY idea of culture, AS A FOEIGNER TO YOUR LAND???????????????????????

Answer that if you can!!