billboards are often a symbols of women’s oppression

ooooo, now that is an excellent point.

My weak argument (I hope it hold some validity) in response is, there is a difference between objectifying women for their femininity and subjugating and oppressing them because of they are women.

I know I got tired of being held up as a sex symbol when I was younger, but I was never forced to physically suffer. I could mingle in society, talk with anyone willing to talk with me, and be regarded as an equal.

But damn, that is a good point.

“Only the oppressed Arab Muslim women wear the burka…”

Several evangelical Christian sects dress their women in clothes that stand out somewhat in modern society. And of course there are the Amish. But at least those clothes only go back to the 1800s — burqas are from, what, the 700s?

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burqa

“Many Muslims believe that the Islamic holy book, the Qur’an, and the collected traditions of the life of Muhammed, or hadith, require both men and women to dress and behave modestly in public. However, this requirement, called hijab, has been interpreted in many different ways by Islamic scholars (ulema) and Muslim communities (see Women and Islam); the burqa is not specifically mentioned in the Quran.”

Sorry. Not a good enough reason to ban something. Advertising billboards are often a symbols of women’s oppression (not to mention oppression in general), but you wont see them being banned.

Also, does this mean I cant wear my ninja suit in France?

I’ve searched a couple of English versions and couldn’t find it. Where did you read that?

Perhaps Sarkozy is foreseeing a time when voluminous clothing will be banned everywhere because of suicide bombers.

Only those with “bad habits”. The “good habits” would be welcome.

Many have the choise of wearing it or not.

Those Muslims who do not wear one do so because of that choice.

The whole rational behind the burka and hajib is not to protect the woman, but so a man will not be tempted by a woman’s beauty. Those that do wear one do so because of the pressure from the men in her life – fathers, husbands, and local temple traditions.

Sarkozy’s history does not mean he can not also have a valid opinion on this subject. I do agree with that many of the posts above are purely intent upon bashing Muslims for the sake of bashing Muslims. Here though, Sarkosy explained himself and his rational quite well.

Many Moslem women don’t see it that way. Many have the choise of wearing it or not.

I also cant believe that Sarkozy, a known womaniser, believe all this guff about it being a women rights issue. This is populist Moslem bashing, pure and simple. He’s sure to get a good nationalist reaction.

I don’t agree with the Muslim world view of things but I do believe in the right to worship whatever, whenever, as long as you do no harm.

This is not about religion. It is about the subjugation and humiliation of women for the sake of power to the men.

“The burqa is not a religious sign, it’s a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement — I want to say it solemnly,” he said. “It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic.”

This, to me, sounds more like disapproval of anyone advocating inequality in women. Of course, there are still those who think it was a mistake to give the vote to women.