French MP’s are currently holding a series of hearings surrounding the future of the Burka in the country. The Muslim garment has been a flashpoint issue in many countries recently including here in the UK because it covers all a womans facial features except her eyes.
Many have called for it to be banned on a variety of grounds ranging from security issues to the fact that it represents the oppression of women.
French Urban Regeneration Minister Fadela Amara has been quoted as saying that she:
“in favour of the burka not existing in my country”.
The French government created the comittee after French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that the garment was “not welcome” in France, which is home to Western Europe’s largest population of Muslims.
In 2004, France controversially banned Muslim headscarves and other “conspicuous” religious symbols in state schools and by public employees.