Why the Bans on Hijabs?
In Europe, this is a huge issue. In France, Spain, and the coastal countries, legislators have begun to make laws to ban the hijab in the public arena, making it illegal to wear in courts, government offices, and schools. Why? Is the hijab, which, after all, is similar to the veil or babushka traditionally worn in pre-WWII Europe by many woman, so offensive to the modern-day European? This touches on several factors: In some countries, due to the Enlightenment rejection of clericalism, all religious symbols were banned in official offices. This was done to limit or eliminate the influence of Catholic clergy in governmental affairs. France is most involved in the school ban; every French child wears a uniform to school. It is considered VERY important to have every child in a uniform, and no deviations are permitted. This is a long-standing cultural issue; adherence to this policy is one of the ways that France has integrated its ethnics into the Frenc...