In France, the law disallowing Muslim women to wear veils or headscarves came into effect on 11 April. The police are enforcing the ban and during checking they will confiscate the veils and scarves. Women wearing veils or headscarves would be questioned and they could also be taken to the police stations. Those resisting would be arrested and sent behind the bars or expelled from the country. On the first day, several women were fined $200 each, while 60 women were also detained.
Since long, the French Government has been adopting a callous posture against the use of veils or headscarves by Muslim women. There was already a ban in place on the wearing of headscarves by female students in the schools and now wearing full face veils at public places has been declared a criminal act.
Dignity of Women
The truth, however, remains that the headscarf or veil enhances the dignity of women. The question remains what negative effect it will leave on the French society if any woman wears a veil or scarf. Christian nuns also dress in the same manner in addition to non-Muslim women also put on the same kind of dress in harsh winter weather. The world today has become a global village and within no time any news travels from one part of the world to the other. In such a scenario, there is a dire need of religious harmony rather than paving the way for clash of civilizations.
Generate Strong Reaction
If the French Government ridiculed the Muslim women in such a manner, it will generate a strong reaction at the public level in the Islamic countries. It would be better if the French Government abolishes this ridiculous anti-Muslim women law, else, the French women living in the Islamic countries could be forced to wear the Islamic dress instead of their traditional ones.
