PARIS, July 1, 2009
Al Qaeda Warns France over Burqa Criticism
France on Guard After Militants Vow "Vengeance" for Sarkozy's Disapproval of Face-Covering Veils
-
Two women, one wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, right, walk side by side in the Belsunce district of downtown Marseille, central France, June 19, 2009. (AP)
France is maintaining "very great vigilance" toward actions and statements by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or North Africa, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said in a briefing.
"French authorities reaffirm their determination to fight terrorism," he added.
The Algeria-based group issued a statement on Islamic Web sites vowing to "seek vengeance against France" over Sarkozy's comments about face-covering Muslim veils such as the burqa and niqab. The declaration could not be independently verified.
Sarkozy said last week the burqa would not be "welcome" in France and would turn women into prisoners. France's parliament created a commission to study the issue, which could lead to banning the Muslim robes from being worn in public.
Human Rights Watch said the move would be counterproductive, and a top British Muslim group said Sarkozy's comments were patronizing and offensive. Lebanon's most influential Shiite cleric called on the French leader to reconsider his statement.
The al Qaeda declaration called on followers to act "for the honor of our daughters and our sisters" and called on all Muslims "to respond to this hate."
Hard-line Algerian militants left over from a civil war between radical Islamists and government forces in the 1990s joined al Qaeda in 2006. They regularly target Algerian government forces and have tried to step up attacks against foreigners.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From World
Add a Comment See all 20 Comments
- I hate to see what is happening over in France. Oh what do those fools know? I hope my Burqa/Niqab wearing friends come over to the US. The Burqa and Niqab are protected in the USA. You can wear what you want. So leave that oppresive country called France!
I will wear my Burqa in show of support for my Burqa/Niqab wearing friends all over the world during the month of Ramadan. And no, I am not a Muslim. I am a Christian that feels that all women should be covered. Everyone that knows the Bible, should know that it says that. - Reply to this comment
- WOEN IN FRANCE ARE WEARING BERQUAS BECAUE THEY CHOOSE TO AND NOT BECAUSE THET ARE FORCED TO BY A RELIGOUS IDEOLOGY!!!
THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, PEOPLE IN FREE COUNTRYS ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR WHAT THEY WANT!!
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY IF SUCH RESTRICTIONS WERE IMPOSED???
IT'S THE SAME OLD CRAP--A FEW PEOPLE ARE PUSHING THEIR PHILOSOPHY ON THE MAJORITY. SOUND FAMILIER??? - Reply to this comment
- Sarkosy is right, and has courage.
///////////Western Civilization is the BEST....//////////// We need to protect it //////
Covering yourself , or being made to cover your face is anti Western, and anti Woman. It also is so strange, like a bandit, you do not want anyone to know who you are. It is dehumanizing to both the woman and also TO EVERYBODY around. IT is INSULTING.
All civilizations are not equal. Western Civilization is the best, as it grants freedom to anyone, everyone. Islamic Civiliazations in general does the opposite and are repressive, not open to other new ideas, other religions whatsoever, and still use torture and hate speech all the time. Who wants that virus to infect our way of life. - Reply to this comment
- Sarkozy is to be congratulated for taking such a courageous stance.
We need to follow suit in this country. I can't imagine that I would let anyone buy something at my store with a credit card and not be able to see that person's face and hair. How else do you identify the person you are dealing with?? - Reply to this comment
- The al Qaeda declaration called on followers to act "for the honor of our daughters and our sisters 'In The HOOD'.....
- Reply to this comment
- I was agreeing with you by using 'farce and sarcasm'
by ToolMangler1 July 1, 2009 12:48 PM PDT
----------------------------------------
Same here.
A McD's server or a chick at a falafel stand dressed like a black ninja is hilarious.
A scalpel wielding surgeon dressed in a black burqa is unsettling.
Where do they draw the line? - Reply to this comment
- I wonder if they have Jackson's monkey under that Burqa or whatever it is.
- Reply to this comment
- Sarkozy said last week the burqa would not be "welcome" in France and WOULD TURN WOMEN INTO PRISONERS.
The second part of that statement is going too far. Could somewhat agree with the first part. On the same token, what will be next. Kippah - the skull cap worn by jews is not welcome. Only the christian attire will be allowed. Nothing else. Where do we go from here ??? - Reply to this comment
- There is something wrong with a religion that pushes itself on people with fear like that. They must be gay if they treat women as second class. How are they supposed to feel peaceful for eternity? I think there should be a law that requires them to register as an anonomous observer and display a public number on their burqas. That way if one of their hateful terrorists do something bad, then we can ID them, instead of letting them mix into a crowd of burqas.
- Reply to this comment
- "by CLoverNYC1 July 1, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
The accused has the right to face their accusers. Wearing a humongous black body hood in the courtroom kind of makes that impossible.
The practice of religion is one thing. To wear an outfit that is not only unnecessary in a free country, but that hinders the rights of others is unacceptable."
"BLASPHEMY"!!!!!!!!!!! You just got moved ahead of France!!!! ;) - Reply to this comment
-
- No seriously, Tools.
I mean, do you want somebody handing you a burger and fries dressed like a ninja?
- No seriously, Tools.
- Frankly, it's discouraging to see women dressed like beekeepers. I'm with Sarkozy.
They should leave France and go where the wearing of the burqa is encouraged (under pain of death). - Reply to this comment
-
- Or, let the religulous one's live their lives, just all the other religulous ones do?
Sarkozy went overboard. It's almost as if he's pickin a fight with al Queda.
Remind me, how many negative,"incidents", have there been on French soild from a woman wearing a burqa?
Anyone?
What's next, Priest's robes?
"We don't know what they've got in there".
And nobody answer,"little boys". That's too easy...
- The accused has the right to face their accusers. Wearing a humongous black body hood in the courtroom kind of makes that impossible.
The practice of religion is one thing. To wear an outfit that is not only unnecessary in a free country, but that hinders the rights of others is unacceptable.
- by gravyboat4000 July 1, 2009 10:02 AM PDT
What's next, Priest's robes?
OHH!! Gravy!!! Think a minute. Plse
How about wearing a "Ski-Mask" into a Jewelry store or a Bank? Under a Burqa you don't know if it Male or Female, Armed or unarmed, or just carrying enough C4 to blow up a large business.
- Or, let the religulous one's live their lives, just all the other religulous ones do?
- Nice job, Sarkozy.
- Reply to this comment
-
- Ohhhh!!!! you've done it now France! Alky aida has moved you higher on the list of "Nations to be destroyed" You are probably sitting right underneath Israel, the USA, Britain and Germany. (not necessarily in that order).. PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM!!!!!!!! (Don't get too concerned, you were on the list anyway, 'You aren't a muslim nation'....Yet)
