McCallion
Quest

Is the Ban on Religious Symbols in France worth Dividing a Country?

By: Nicole Allard, Editor

As of September 2004, public school children from all over France are being forced to remove headscarves, skullcaps and turbans because of the new ban outlawing religious symbols in public schools.  A French Muslim girl declared that: “…it’s too bad, because for me, the principle of secularism is to respect all religions, not to try to deny their existence.  So I take off my veil because I want an education, but it pains me to do so” (Block 1).  France has always prided itself on being a very secular country and makes a point to keep religion separate from state and state run establishments. Therefore this ban is not surprising; but does that make it right?  Although there are many people in favour of the ban, the government of France is wrong in banning public school children from wearing religious symbols and head coverings.  

Banning religious symbols from public schools will cause discrimination against certain religious groups.  Already, Muslim girls who wear headscarves and Sikhs who wear turbans are being denied two basic rights: the right and freedom to practice religion and the right to a public education.  Many Muslim women view the headscarf as more than just a religious requirement, but also as an expression of their freedom to practice religion.  To ban the headscarf is viewed as discrimination and a violation of that right (Andalas 3).  For Sikhs, the turban is mandatory and by taking it off they would be going against their religion, something this ban is forcing many to do (Ganley 9/8/04 1).  Because people are refusing to go against their beliefs, they are being denied their right to a public education as well. 

On the Thursday that schools opened and the ban was put into effect, 70 cases of girls refusing to remove their headscarves were reported (Ganley 9/8/04 2).  The punishment for this ranged from a warning, to suspension, to expulsion.  Over the years, many expulsions have been handed out to Muslim girls, even before the ban, forcing them to resume their studies elsewhere (Ganley, 2/11/04 2).  Now with the new law, finding a more accepting school will be much harder.  In fact, Muslim girls from all over France will have to give up their right to a public school education for refusing to remove their headscarves because of their beliefs and religious rights.

As well as creating discrimination, outlawing religious symbols will also endanger all people in France.  Recently Al Qaeda, a fundamentalist Muslim terrorist group, has captured two French journalists, demanding the new law be forgotten in order for their safe return.  The two journalists that have been captured in Iraq are being held until the law banning Muslim headscarves from public schools is revoked.  A short video broadcast was aired showing both journalists in the hands of Al Qaeda.  “I appeal to the French people to go to the streets…because our lives are threatened.”  Journalist Georges Malbrunot pleaded on screen (CBC 1).  Both journalists are still in grave danger because of President Chirac’s decision to outlaw headscarves in schools.  Other, less obvious acts of rebellion against the ban have also occurred. Many others have also acted out against the ban, though not as drastically as the terrorists.  Protests in France have skyrocketed due to this new law, putting not only the people affected by it in danger, but all people in France. There have been thousands of demonstrations worldwide protesting against the ban, and many important religious leaders support them.  Lord Greville Janner, vice president of The World Jewish Congress stated that the ban was “a sad decision” (University Wire 1), and Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger was very clear on how this law could affect the whole of France. He predicts that, “This clumsy law risks reopening…a religious war.” (Agence France Presse 5).  It is wrong of the government of France to put its entire population in danger because of one unwise law.

In spite of this, French President Chirac argues that banning religious symbols from public schools will promote secularism and strengthen France.  Chirac announced to his country that “Secularism is one of the great successes of the Republic,” and that “It is a crucial element of social peace and national cohesion.  We cannot let it weaken” (Ganley 12/17/03 1).  France has always been a firm believer of keeping religion separate from state and state run establishments, such as schools. Its secular ways may have been successful in the past, but now they are becoming out of date.  There are so many different cultures in France now that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep religion separate from schools.  There is no need to demolish all religious symbols.  Surely that is not the only way to run a country effectively?  France is much better off accommodating all religions, like Canada.  When children in Toronto see headscarves, turbans and crosses, they don’t think twice.  “It’s Toronto,” student Clancy Zeifman, 16, said, “It’s so multicultural.  We are encouraged to practice our religion, we’re taught in school to accept all religions.  It’s the way we’ve grown up” (Scrivenen 1).  No one wants to live in the secular world of sheep, where at work and at school everyone is a clone.  In a place like Toronto, differences are celebrated and that’s why children like it.  Shandi Shankhalili, 17, an Iranian immigrant, enjoys Toronto.  “When I came here I didn’t want to hang out with Iranians”, she stated, “ I wanted to experience the world” (Scrivenen 4). But how can one do that in a country where differences are discouraged, and even outlawed?  Secularism is not really strengthening France; it is dividing and weakening it.  

President Chirac also claims that this new ban may promote equality among school children.  If everyone looks the same then everyone will be treated the same.  It’s a good theory but it’s not logical.  The same argument is used while promoting school uniforms.  Because everyone looks the same, no one will tease others for being different.  But when everyone dresses the same, differences such as hair, skin colour, height and weight continue to stand out.  Kids just find new ways to insult their classmates.  Removing headscarves and other religious symbols from classrooms will only lead to more problems.  It won’t promote equality; only make those who have to remove their religious symbols feel inferior.  Gurdal Singh, the father of fourteen year old Jasvir who was denied entrance to his school because of his turban stated that “We’re Victims” (Ganley 9/8/04 1).  Four days after school started Jasvir was let inside the building, only to sit and wait in the cafeteria, unable to attend classes.  Is this the equality President Chirac is striving for?  By refusing to let certain students learn are all children being treated the same?

It is clear that religious symbols and head covering should not be banned from public schools in France.  If the law is not reversed, and France continues to keep it’s secular ways,  then more discrimination and inequality will follow.  Not only that, but France will continue to be threatened by terrorists and rebels. Kawtar Fawzy, a thirty-year-old protester said, “When I came here, they told me France was the land of human rights.  I found out it’s the opposite” (Ganley 1/17/04 1).  If the ban continues, things will only get worse.