Hundreds protest France burqa ban in Karachi

19 Jul 2010, 11:32 am   -   Source: AP
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A supporter of Pakistani religious party Jamaat-e-Islami chants slogans during a rally to condemn the ban on Islamic face veils by French government in Karachi. (AAP)

A supporter of Pakistani religious party Jamaat-e-Islami chants slogans during a rally to condemn the ban on Islamic face veils by French government in Karachi. (AAP)

Hundreds of Muslims staged a protest in Karachi against a ban approved by France's lower house of parliament on wearing burqa-style Islamic veils.

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Hundreds of Muslims staged a protest in Karachi against a ban approved by France's lower house of parliament on wearing burqa-style Islamic veils.

The bill passed on Tuesday bans face-covering veils everywhere that can be considered public space and is seen as part of a determined effort to define and protect French values.

It has disconcerted many in the country which has Europe's largest Muslim population, about 5 (m) million of the country's 64 (m) million people are believed
to be Muslim.

Speaking at the rally on Sunday, Mohammad Hussain Mehnati, Chief of religious Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party in Karachi, demanded that the United Nations take immediate and appropriate action on France.

"Before passing a bill in the parliament, the government of France has to realise that Muslims are living all over the world including France and other EU countries and they don't have to make a law against Muslims," he said.

"The veil is a part of our religion and the UN charter also permits the religious freedom and no government is allowed to create a problem for any religious group because they practise their own religion," he added.

Protesters at the rally held a banner reading, "Down with the West, We Condemn ban on Hijab", even though the law would cover the niqab, a robe which covers the whole body and face, leaving just the eyes exposed, and the burqa, which is similar but in which a mesh covers the eyes too.

It is not targeting the hijab, the headscarf worn by many Muslim women which covers the hair, leaving the face exposed.

While ordinary headscarves are common in France, only about 1,900 women are believed to wear face-covering veils.

Proponents of the law say face-covering veils don't square with the French ideal of women's equality or its secular tradition.

The bill is controversial abroad but popular in France, where its relatively few outspoken critics say conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy has resorted to xenophobia to attract far-right voters.

The ban on burqas and niqabs will go in September to the Senate, where it also is likely to pass.

The issue has been debated across Europe, and Spain and Belgium have similar bans in the works.

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Ban the Burka

Gaye Bishop - from Melbourne, Australia, 1 year

We all should acknowledge the reason women have to wear the Burka is because they are chattels owned by men, have no rights and must cover up because they are evil temptresses and other men would not be able to control their urges if they see the unveiled woman. They suppress and denigrate "their" women by treating them this way as unequal to men just breeders and slaves. Join the progressive societies and let women just be free to feel the sun, wind and breathe freedom.

MS

Melanie - from St Albans, 2 years ago

Ban the burqa. In this day and age of the 21st century, I personally find it extremely offensive, degrading and insulting to see a person wearing the burqa. What would the early women suffrogettes say, the womens libbers of the 60's, after their years of continuous struggle for equality and no discriminations. What happened to intergration, assimilation, respect for the laws of the land. Do these women mix with non muslim women and go out??? No!!!!!!! Politicians, wake up, be honest for a change

mrs

brenda strahan - from perth, 2 years ago

I absolutely agree with Monsieur Mayard in every way . If it is so important for a muslim woman to hide her face from every other Australian then my rights are being violated. I am absolutely offended and discomforted by having people in this country feeling it is their right to be different in her rights to every other Australian woman . You want to wear this then please go where it is ok and is not infringing on my rights as an Australian to see your face . Go Home please .

Burqa Banned in Syria and Turkey

Leigh - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

The Burqa should be banned world wide. Even Muslim countries can see the oppression that covering the face supports. I'm sick of people asking "Why aren't we asking the women who wear them." Wake up people, these women are oppressed. Even if you were to ask them, they would most likely say they are ok with it regardless of whether they were or not. Is that not obvious? Why weren't these protesters protesting against Syria or Turkey? Why is France targeted?

Good on the French

GEOFF - from Townsville, 2 years ago

I congratulate the French, Why can't Australia do the same ! Our weak pollies are to worried about "offending" the Muslims.

Daniel. YOU are the IDIOT

Chris - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

A democracy means that the MAJORITY rules, not that everyone has the right to do anything. 'Demos' means the majority of people and 'cracy' means power in Greek. So if the majority don't like it, that is what prevails. And in Plato's time it meant only the people of 'sound mind' could have a say, so idiots like you who make blunt arguments against smarter comments would be omitted. You should lose your vote for not understanding the voting process.Go to Iran and scream Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

tolerance

Donna - from Surrey, 2 years ago

what if Christians or Buddhists relocate to an Islamic Republic, and then decide they want to start a new Christian church or Buddhist temple? Is there a multi-faith acceptance in any Islamic nation? it's an amazing thing that ''tolerance'' is demanded by a people with little ''tolerance'' to offer. I also notice in the news pictures from these protests, there's very few women (wearing or not wearing face coverings) in the crowds. Why is it that mostly men are protesting this issue?

Ronald

Ronald Martens - from Morley Perth, 2 years ago

Why should someone from another Country stage a protest in their City when the laws are in another Country? Do we stage protests in our Country because of their poor human rights towards their women? In the photo shows men staging a protest. Where are the women protesters are there any? : Is banning the burqa religious discrimination? Men enforcing women to wear burkas is that discrimination?

Dear Independent

Daniel - from Canberra, 2 years ago

A country that bans a piece of clothing. You call that a democracy, You Idiot.

Independent

Democracy Prevails - from Democracy Globally, 2 years ago

The people rule in a democracy. Deal with it or return to a Kindgom where laws are dictated by a few and not a majority. I applaude the French for their action.

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