Why France Is Leading the Way In the Battle for Women’s Freedom

By Phyllis Chesler, FOX NEWS

On July 13, the day before Bastille Day, France stood up for “la liberté, l’égalité, la sororité,” for the rights of French women and for Western values when the French lower house of parliament approved the ban on face veils. Even the French communists caved in to feminist pressure and did not oppose this ban.

Vive la France! This is the country which in 2004 outlawed headscarves (as well as all religious insignia such as crosses or Jewish stars) in public schools. Contrast this attempt to uphold “republican” and “democratic” values with President Obama’s speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009, where our president expressed pride in America for having defended the right of Muslim girls and women to wear hijab.

This ban is expected to pass in the French senate. However, it may be found “unconstitutional” by the French Council of State or by the European Court of Human Rights. Nevertheless, in my opinion, once again, France is leading the way in the battle for women’s freedom and human rights.

The Koran does not mandate having to cover one’s face. This is not a religious requirement. It is, rather, a hostile rejection of Western values, a refusal to integrate, a sign of political Islam, and possibly of jihad. It is also the foremost distinguishing feature of Islamic gender and religious apartheid in the West.

It may be impossible for the West to ban acid attacks or honor horror killings of girls and women who refuse to veil in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, or Saudi Arabia—but why are our hands tied on Western soil?
CONTINUE

July 16, 2010 | 6 Comments »

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6 Comments / 6 Comments

  1. Christians today are not out to conquer anybody.

    I see Christian forces invading Iraq and Afghanistan and not Iraqis and Afghans or Taliban invading the West and America.

    There is also an element that might be construed by some as economic imperialism by the west in general and America in particular. Depends on which side you are identifying with. Must I again remind you that the 9/11 attack was financed by Saudis and perpetrated mostly by Saudi Nationals. Taliban may be nuts and odious but there are many no better and America is not warring against them; like the Saudis, N Korea, Iran Yemen, Sudan and even Mexico for the drug trade.

    I still maintain that Americas reasons for invading Iraq and Afghanistan are both Christian and economically based and motivated.

  2. Christians today are not out to conquer anybody.

    I see Christian foreces invading iraq and Afganhistan and not Iraqis and Afgans or Taliba invading the West and America.

    There is also an element that might be construed by some as economic imperialism by the west in general and America in particular. Depends on which side you are identifying with. Must I again remind you that the 9/11 attack was financed by Saudis and perpetrated mostly by Saudi Nationals. Taliban may be nuts and odious but there are many no better and America is not warring against them; like the Saudis, N Korea, Iran Yemen, Sudan and even Mexico for the drug trade.

    I still maintain that Americas reasons for invading Iraq and Afghanistan are both Christian and economically based and motivated.

  3. Ahem…I think you should see this before you make definitive statements.

    Uncle, those were the dark ages, Christians doing bad things in the name of Christianity. Not sure God/G-d was pleased with their actions.

    I am not sure we got it right yet. I know our own Catholic church as a number of issues that need to be addressed to gain respect.

    One thing for sure the church talks about Nostra Aetate. Well, talk is cheap, if the church believes what it say then I want the Pope to come out tomorrow and make a declaration that the Catholic Church stands by and supports Israel as a Jewish sovereign nation and Jerusalem as it’s capital. One Nation, One State.

  4. Crosses and Stars of David merely represent an expression of one’s personal faith, they don’t seek to impose their religious beliefs on others. Islamic symbols represent conquest and submission of non-believers.

    Ahem…I think you should see this before you make definitive statements.

  5. Vive la France! This is the country which in 2004 outlawed headscarves (as well as all religious insignia such as crosses or Jewish stars)

    I disagree with including crosses and stars of David in the ban. Unlike islam, Judaism and Christianity are legitimate religious faiths whereas islam is an oppressive, totalitarian, expansionist political ideology. Crosses and Stars of David merely represent an expression of one’s personal faith, they don’t seek to impose their religious beliefs on others. Islamic symbols represent conquest and submission of non-believers.