Burkas not welcome in France: Sarkozy

it's about time someone in a part of the world that doesn't treat women like garbage makes a stand.

now if only canada and the U.S would follow.

Awesome France. I for one don't believe its about culture or religous freedoms for one second.

If they want us to make sure our women dress appropiately when we go to Saudi Arabia, we expect the same in return.

Not sure I agree with this, however, I will use to demonstrate that France sometimes has a hell of a lot more balls than Canada and the US.

Agreed. I'm on the fence with that. That being said, I'm totally opposed to allowing the veil/burka to be left on in let's say, a courtroom, or a driver's license photo. The fact in some of these outfits, you can only see the eyes, and that there have been cases where criminals have left the country wearing these things.

I agree with the sentiment, but not with the banning. If they want to wear it for religious purposes they should have the right. If it's really about a secular society why stop at burkas? Why not ban turbans, and those religious knives? What about crosses on a necklace?

There are many reasons why they are being banned in France and there are many why they should be banned here.. Bravo! M. Sarkozy. When in Rome as they say.. Security is one major issue and abuse of women is another.

Good for Sarkozy but lets see what he says after 7 more nights of muslim riots.

It isn't for religous purposes though. Many highly respected muslism have stated the koran makes no mention of this.

I worked with a muslim and he said basically those are extremist values, that he did not share.

We can't really compare it to a turban either, you may see religon when some women clad from head to toe in black who scares the shit of your son as she steps off a bus as something that perhaps should be accepted in our society in order to appear as "welcoming".

I see neanderthals married to a women who feels the need to cover her up, so no other man can look at her. Something you would do to your 69 camaro in order to protect it from vandals & thieves.

Even if it was for religous purposes, I wouldn't care. We have cultural norms as well that should be respected.

Now if only Harper would follow suit and ban the boob burqua in Canada. Free the breasts!

I wish my mother-in-law would take up Islam and don the burqua.

I dont agree with this at all, it is very negative and will only breed more resentment and division within the community. It would be like putting a gun to Derby's head telling him to vote for Harper...we all know he would take the bullet, just as those being discriminated against will rise up and cause more shit than we want!!!

It isn't for religous purposes though. Many highly respected muslism have stated the koran makes no mention of this.
Perhaps the burka is not, but this was taken from the article as well: Where does it stop? That sounds like an infringement on someones right to religion if you were in North America.

It's about state schools, not about private schools or private businesses... Don't forget that in a country like Turkey, headscarfs (let alone burqa's) are not allowed in public buildings.

Freedom to practise religion is the same as any other right. It can be limited "in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice in a free and democratic society". I would say that limiting the wearing of the burqua in certain circumstances is a reasonable limit on the freedom of religion, as commanderkai noted, in places like courts of law and border crossings and for official documents. I would also suggest that in places like classrooms and businesses which are secular, not relgious settings, similar limitation may be acceptable.

As for an outright ban, that seems to clearly violate our Charter. Is anyone familiar with the protection of religious rights under French law? Sarkozy's plan, as I read it, would not stand a Charter challenge in Canada.