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March 24, 2011
A Question of Modesty: Banning the Burqa

What is now  known as the “burqa ban” will become law on April 11. French Prime Minister Francois Fillan will see to it that the approximately 2,000 or so Muslim women do not have a choice in donning the face covering known as niqab in any place deemed public domain as defined by government officials. The burqa is a one piece garment that covers the contours of awoman’s body from head to toe; it has a detachable niqab that covers the face, with the exception of the eyes, and it promotes modesty and morality in its wearer. Its colors vary according to culture and preference of the women in different geographical areas.

 

March 24, 2011
Good News from Argentina and Tunisia Regarding Hijab

The hijab (muslim woman’s head dress) recently received new status in Argentina and Tunisia. In the South American country of Argentina, thanks to historic legislation passed by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and her government, Muslim women are now allowed to wear the hijab in public places and in pictures for national ID cards. Across the Atlantic in the North African state of Tunisia, the hijab is also making news. Since the deposed dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his regime are no longer in power, Muslim women are reverting to wearing the hijab.

 

May 15, 2010
Quebec Passes Veil Ban on Public Face Coverings

In late March the province of Quebec passed a landmark legislation which stipulates that Muslim women who wear the face covering known as niqab will have to uncover their faces to be able to receive government services as well as when approaching government offices, schools, and other publicly funded institutions.

In late March the province of Quebec passed a landmark legislation which stipulates that Muslim women who wear the face covering known as niqab will have to uncover their faces to be able to receive government services as well as when approaching government offices, schools, and other publicly funded institutions.

February 12, 2010
British Author Says Call for Ban on Islamic Clothing ‘Straight Out of Mein Kampf’

As the debate rages in the West over the clothing Muslim women should or should not wear, two articles representing  opposite sides of the discussion were published in late January.

As the debate rages in the West over the clothing Muslim women should or should not wear, two articles representing  opposite sides of the discussion were published in late January. The London Times’ Dominic Lawson wrote a timely piece in which he quoted Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf on the subject of the appearance of Jewish Germans, which was outlandish to him and had no place in the German society.

December 1, 2009
Students Grapple with Face Veil Ban at Al-Azhar

Uproar has arisen in Egypt over the planned banning of the face veil, or Niqab, by Al-Azhar University’s chief sheikh Muhammad Tantawi. The plan came to light after Tantawi, who took up his current post in 1996, told a student in an Azhar affiliated middle school to remove her niqab during a class session after entering the classroom.

Uproar has arisen in Egypt over the planned banning of the face veil, or Niqab, by Al-Azhar University’s chief sheikh Muhammad Tantawi. The plan came to light after Tantawi, who took up his current post in 1996, told a student in an Azhar affiliated middle school to remove her niqab during a class session after entering the classroom.

Women generally wear the niqab to protect themselves from being seen by men.