It’s their choice

Muslim women bear the brunt of racial discrimination not only in France but also in other European countries in the name of secularism and integration. The Burkini ban is just the tip of the iceberg. The ban is both discriminatory and divisive. What to wear should be the privilege and choice of the individual. The full-body swimsuit is not explosive material that is threatening France’s security. The absurdity of the ban on the burkini can be guaged from the fact that France’s highest administrative court, the council of state, has overturned the ban. The court ruled that local authorities did not have the power to restrict individual liberties in this way. In 2010, France became the first European country to ban the full face veil in public.

France should take practical steps to curb the intolerant mindset operating against Muslim culture and the attire women choose to wear. Negation and cotempt against the culture of any race is not permissible on religious, political and other considerations. Muslim women deserve social and political space to make their own decisions on how to live and what to wear. It is instances such as these that clearly indicate that a clash of civilisations is underway. France and other European countries need to know that the modest attire worn by the Muslim women is not weapon directed against the said states. Sanity demands that France and the rest of Europe restructure their policies to counter terrorism which is the real enemy of humanity instead of tilting at windmills- modest attire.

Nazeer Ahmed Arijo

Larkana