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According to the BBC, today the French lower house of parliament passed a ban on public wearing of the full-face veil (worn most commonly by Muslim women). This is not a ban on the head scarf, nor the floor-length body covering, but the actual veil over the face. The National Assembly has 557 seated representatives, but the vote was 335 for and only one against. Most members of the main opposition group, the French Socialist party, refrained from voting.
This is a ban that cannot take effect until approved by the French Senate in September followed by the French Constitutional Council, a watchdog group that makes sure that laws are constitutional. Beyond that, it may still be challenged by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, where decisions are binding.
According to the Arab News, French Muslim businessman (and past political candidate), Rachid Nekkaz, said he would set up a one-million euro fund to help women pay any fines imposed them under the new ban and has started an organization called "Hands Off My Constitution."
There are only a fraction of French Muslim of women who wear this face veil. The New York Times estimates that this ruling would effect 1,900 women (2/3 of whom are French citizens) out of over five million Muslim women in France. France has Europe's largest Muslim population.
There are a large variety of body/face/head coverings worn by some Muslim women. It is important to be clear about which ones are and are not covered by this legislation.
To make the terms clear ... (Thanks to The BBC that also illustrates these garments.)
Garments Not Affected by French Legislation
1. The Hijab -- The headscarf. It covers the head, not the face, and can come in many colors.
2. The Alimira -- Similar in function to the Hijab, it is a tube-shaped scarf that fits over the head covering a close-fitting cap which covers the hair. The face is uncovered.
3. The Shayla -- This is a longer rectangular scarf that wraps over the head and is held in place at the shoulder. The face is uncovered.
4. The Kimar -- This is a like a short cape fitting over the head and neck and shoulders that reaches down to the waist. The face is uncovered.
5. The Chador -- This is a full body covering that may also have a headscarf. The face is uncovered.
Garments Affected By the Legislation
1. Niquab -- This is the veil that covers the lower part of the face, leaving only the eyes publicly visible. It is always worn with a headscarf/covering. In some countries the term is used interchangeably with Burka (see below).
2. Burka -- This is total coverage. Every part of the body and head are concealed with the exception of a mesh panel over the eyes from which the woman can see outwards.
The New York Times reported before the bill passed :
The draft bill says that “no one can, in the public space, wear clothing intended to hide the face.” The bill also defines “public space” broadly, including streets, markets and private businesses, as well as government buildings and public transport.
A fine of $190 will be imposed on those wearing the full facial veil, and anyone who forces a woman to wear such a veil will be punished by a fine up to $38,000 and a year in jail, doubled if the victim is a minor.
Michele Alliot-Marie, French justice minister, is widely quoted as saying that this bill was not an attempt at "stigmatising or singling out a religion." [ed. note: What!?]
This ban is reported to have the approval of 80 percent of French voters. People supporting it in France range from those who believe it is not in harmony with French values to have veils to those who feel that the ban will not allow a certain sort of fundamentalist Islam to take hold to those who feel that the veil is anti-feminist. Those who support the ban also say it is
