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Sarkozy's burqa stance under fire

The president of France's parliament has announced the creation of a commLeading scholars have reacted sharply to the controversial remarks made by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the wearing of burqas by Muslim women.ission to study the wearing of Islamic face-covering, body-length burqas and niqabs in France.

  • By Ramadan Al Sherbini and Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondents
  • Published: 14:11 June 23, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: EPA
  • The issue as to whether Muslim women should wear theburqa in France is being debated. EPA
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Cairo/Riyadh: Leading scholars have reacted sharply to the controversial remarks made by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the wearing of burqas by Muslim women.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is "not qualified" to judge Muslim women's dress code, said Muslim clerics in Cairo, reacting to his branding of full-body veils as a sign of servitude.

"This man is not qualified to tell Muslim women what they should or should not wear," said Mustafa Al Shaka, a member of the Islamic Research Centre, an influential arm of Al Azhar - the Sunni world's prestigious institution.

" First he [Sarkozy] does not believe in Islam, which is a heavenly religion that holds women in high regard. Another reason is that he belongs to a culture, which is unfair to women," Al Shaka told Gulf News.

"One example, Islam gives women the right to keep her family's name after marriage, which is not the case in the West."

Sarkozy said on Monday that the burqa, a full-body covering, was "not welcome" in his country.

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"The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of servitude," Sarkozy told both houses of parliament. He added the burqa, largely donned in Afghanistan, is a violation of women's "dignity and freedom".

A group of French lawmakers have called for a ban on the burqa and Sarkozy asked them to "open a debate" on the issue.

More common in France is the niqab, a full-face veil with slits for the eyes. "Neither the burqa or the niqab is ordered by Islam," said Al Shaka, who is also a noted Muslim scholar.

"They are local costumes, but Muslim women should not be forced to remove them. It's a matter of personal freedom."

There was no official comment from Al Azhar on Sarkozy's remarks. However, Egypt's Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments) has recently started a campaign against wearing the niqab in this predominantly Muslim country. The campaign entails nationwide courses to discourage niqab-wearers.

In Saudi Arabia, a number of leading Saudi scholars reacted cautiously.

Shaikh Fayez Al Mutlaq, a prominent religious scholar, is of the view that it is permissible for a Muslim woman living in a country, where there is a ban on wearing the burqa, not to wear it.

"It would suffice for her to wear the hijab (Islamic dress covering all parts of the body except face and two hands).

He told Gulf News if a Muslim woman wants to travel to such a country, which imposes a ban on wearing the burqa, for educational or treatment purposes, then she should respect the regulations of the country by simply wearing the hijab.

Dr Sulaiman Al Twaijri, member of the academic faculty at Makkah's Ummul Qura University, said that the Islamic dress (the hijab) has become a topic of controversy and debate among Islamic scholars not only in different countries but also among those in a single country.

"There are some scholars who rule that wearing Islamic dress covering face and hands is obligatory for women. On the other hand, there are others who say covering the whole body except the face and hands is permissible.

"There is a third group who are adamant women should cover all parts of her body except the eyes," he said while drawing attention to the ruling made by world-renowned Islamic scholar Shaikh Yousuf Al Qaderi that it is undesirable for Muslim women to wear the burqa in the modern age.

Body to study burqa

Meanwhile, France's parliament has announced the creation of a commission to study the wearing of Islamic face-covering, body-length burqas and niqabs in France.

Bernard Accoyer said on Tuesday the commission would include members of all four major political parties in the National Assembly.

With input from agencies

What do you think of Sarkozy's statement? Should countries be allowed to ban other cultures' practices if it considered oppressive? Why? Tell us below.

Your comments


Can the French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggest what dress Nuns can wear in France?
Nasjas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 13:18

Sir, the relegious scholors of developed Muslim countries should come forward to suggest a decent dress code to the women folk of the community be able to protect their dignity as well as to shun any dradful look
Raj K
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 13:11

Wake up people... He's the president and he has the right to force any rule he wants in France.. Just like those who force women who don't want to wear a Burqa to wear one. If they don't like it, let them leave back to their orgins.. No one's forcing them to stay in France..
From A Reader
Beirut,Lebanon
Posted: June 24, 2009, 12:48

I thought France was a free country where anyone can do whatever he/she wants .But this news really has discouraged me .Does he tell everyone what to wear and what not to wear?..I mean come on we are in 21st century where we talk about freedom that is anyone can do whatever he/she wants unless they are not hurting anyone .And saying things like terrorist can hide in the burqa is a quite immature statment. If someone wears a nun's dress and do things would that mean nuns wouldnt be allowed to wear their dress. It seriously doesnt make sense .I thought he was clever and intelligent until today. Now what he sarkozy doing is making enemies with Muslims the same mistake bush made. I know people from France and they are quite nice and they respect your religion but this guy is just giving France people a bad name. I hope he understands before this becomes a big issue .
Hassan Yar Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 12:31

How come Muslim dresses are singled out? what about the way other religious groups dress and walk around the city?what about them? If I am willing to live with other religions and the way they dress and practice their religion why can?t they not live with mine?.? I don?t like Sarkozy, but does that mean I don?t like France and its people? What happened to freedom of choice?.
Yasmine
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:39

France is country of beautiful women, fashion with freedom, no question about that.. If Mr. Sarkozy's explanation why he dont want to wear the Islamic dress, thats his right as a leader. My opinion is, criminals can have the opportunity to use this dress to victimized innocent people. That's my reason, why I dont want women to cover their face in my country...Peace
Clarry Buenaventura
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:27

Nicolas Sarkozy is President of France, let him solve his own country issue of unemployment and developing issues. I am so confused of his leasure time to think upon religious and cultural conflicts. Being a representative of secular citizens its not the right way to lead the country. Burqa is must and leave the woman to there choice whether they want to cover there face, eyes, nose upto them.
Mohammad Ramy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:20

Well, as the premier and citizen of his country he has every right to say, what is in acordance with the values, culture and tradition of his country and what is not. Same way anybody going to an Islamic country is supposed to respect the traditions there, they also have a right to expect that visitors/immigrants/aliens to their country would respect their culture. He has not made any comments on what the women in Islamic countries should do, has he? Also, Al-shaka's comments on western surnames can be described as uninformed at best.
Rex
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:16

Clearly, it seems that Mr. Nicolas doesn't has much work to do as he is only posting an unacceptable rules and obligations to Muslim Women, over the past decades we know that Europe countries are respecting human freedom and this is an obvious human issue and they have to respect our Islam obligation because we are also accepting and respecting their too. Example, they are in our county and they are wearing and practicing what ever they wish to do, in contrary with our Islam aspects. All in all, wearing an (Neqab or burqa) is not an compulsory aspect from Islam but the women wear it because she wants the decency and protect herself from others eye, on the other hand there are old women who never shown their faces to men so really it will difficult to them to just remove it because they are traveling a broad.. Mr. Nicolas should respects others point of view as we are respecting them too
Noora
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:02

MR.PRESIDENT SHOULD COME ON STREET AND ASK A WOMAN WHO IS WEARING BURQA... N HE WILL GET ANSWER.. THIS IS NOTHING BUT A PLAN AGAINST ISLAM...B4 IT WAS BUSH.. NOW MR. SARKOZY..WHO ALWAYS HAS PROBLEM WITH ISLAM..BT WNEVER THEY TRIED TO SHOW ISLAM... ISLAM GETS MORE CLOSER TO PEOPLE..N ..MORE PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD IS REVERTING TO ISLAM....
Ishtyakh Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 09:50

Its so ridiculous to hear that a country which says itself democratic and secular interferes in religious expression of other faiths
Safeer
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 01:13

This option should entirely be left to the women, its rather un ethical of the french government to deny muslim women their rights.
Ahmad
Ajman,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 01:08

A total non-issue being raised by French President when his country is grappling with the worst financial crisis ever. Someone please tell him to focus on that rather than tell woman what to do!! Forgot to check - does the same rule applies to Christian nuns also who cover their body with a burqa??
Tafazzul Kamal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 00:34

its really fuuny that these people doesn't allow the muslims to remain happy in any condition. if the same is practised in afghanistan then they say that the women are being forced to remain in burqas but if its in their country then they ban it becoz it doesn't look good in public. islam gives respect to women so that they are not exploited while the western people are misusing women's body for advertisements of even a dollar worth commodity. westerners claim that they are very liberal so my question is that if they are so liberal then why not they respect the religious values of muslim volunteers who are not under any influence to practice islamic laws.
Anwar Afridi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 24, 2009, 00:19

Its good to know the increasing population of practicing muslims in europe.
Umm Hadi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 18:18

burqa is protecting women from immoral deeds. The actual islamic rule does not ask hem to cover face.
Babu Razack
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 18:00

Where is the human right? Its really a shame for the one on such a high position commenting like an illiterate. Any how, why don't you ask the person who is wearing to to please her creator, whether she likes it or dislikes it? If she likes it, its her choice and as a human being, she has got to do what ever she thinks is good for herself. If she does not like it there is no compulsation she will answer alone for the act.
M.A. Wahid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 17:27

islam has given equal rights for men and women to develop in every sphere of life but with limits. Hijab or burqa saves women from various immoral behaviours,and they can do thier daily routine works easly. In the modern world there is no solid proof aginst the burqa, its just a bias against muslim women because muslim women are secure in such dress and the women without burqa or niqab have to face various problems, that's why baseless allegations are raised against burqa. Its good decision that if any nonmuslim will study and examine the features of burqa and without any prejudice, the report will come in the favour of using burqa.and it will help to lift ban and muslim or any other women can easily use to save themselves.
Shahzad Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 17:03

Let people do what they feel better. They have no right to ask people what to wear.
From A Reader
Paris,France
Posted: June 23, 2009, 16:53

Is forcing muslim women to go outside without burqa not a voilation of thier right of personal freedom if they want to wear burqa voluntarily? How different is sarkozy from Taliban ?
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 16:37

Well, for Muslims burka or niqab is part of their religion. In my opinion we all should respect all religions and their requirements as long as it do not have any negative impact on others. If someone adopts burqa or niqab as fashion (I can only take burqa in France as fashion) then it is her own wish. I simply cannot understand Mr. Nicolas's objection on that. Rather I would suggest Mr. Nicolas to ask those ladies what made them wear it and I am sure interesting facts will come out.
Kareem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 16:05

Everybody in this world has the freedom of relegion, Its a weapon for the women to wear the burqa not a sign of submission.there are many issues in France to concentrate other than the burqa.The women do not have any problem in wearing it... But why the President?
Abdul Basith
Bangalore,India
Posted: June 23, 2009, 15:57

Nicolas Sarkozy seems to be not knowing the facts of Islam
Shazia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 23, 2009, 15:32

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