It has been a while since I have posted a well-length-ed blog post that relates to my thoughts on general politics that surrounds communities as a whole. So let me start by saying that more, hopefully, blog posts are to come.
Some of you, during the last academic school year at UBC, found it very interesting to know my opinion with regards to Quebec's attempt to ban the full face veil worn by some (a very minority of Muslims). At that point, I was very reluctant to respond, mainly because I wanted the political saga in the French legislature to play out and because I was in a sort of limbo as to what I thought was a 'correct' opinion. However, now I am ready to respond.
But first, let me start by telling you how my opinion with this regard played out. If I am being completely honest, my political stands have changed dramatically since being submerged in North American society. Before coming here, I was very right of wing, conservative sided politically. However, you could say my consciousness have cleared. My political opinion, is one that believes in secularism or Laïcité in the French sense. For those of you who do not know what the term means here is a definition of it: is a concept of a secular society, connoting the absence of religious involvement in government affairs.
Having said that, here is some basic background information as to the passing of the French lower house of parliament bill banning the full face veil. To be more clear, I have included pictures to make it graphic in order to understand.
It has been a while since I have posted a well-length-ed blog post that relates to my thoughts on general politics that surrounds communities as a whole. So let me start by saying that more, hopefully, blog posts are to come.
Some of you, during the last academic school year at UBC, found it very interesting to know my opinion with regards to Quebec's attempt to ban the full face veil worn by some (a very minority of Muslims). At that point, I was very reluctant to respond, mainly because I wanted the political saga in the French legislature to play out and because I was in a sort of limbo as to what I thought was a 'correct' opinion. However, now I am ready to respond.
But first, let me start by telling you how my opinion with this regard played out. If I am being completely honest, my political stands have changed dramatically since being submerged in North American society. Before coming here, I was very right of wing, conservative sided politically. However, you could say my consciousness have cleared. My political opinion, is one that believes in secularism or Laïcité in the French sense. For those of you who do not know what the term means here is a definition of it: is a concept of a secular society, connoting the absence of religious involvement in government affairs.
Having said that, here is some basic background information as to the passing of the French lower house of parliament bill banning the full face veil. To be more clear, I have included pictures to make it graphic in order to understand.
The first one is a hijab - worn by some muslim girls covering the head.
The second picture is the one by which some of the extreme perspectives of Islam wear, covering the complete face.
What is so starking is that, although I have my biases, these pictures show how much different the two are. The first one is of my Bahraini Olympic athlete, who competed, professionally in the 100m sprint, her wearing of hijab does not restrict her. Whereas the second one, does.
Many now are protesting the ban in France of the second picture. My opinion differs from what they say.
I believe, so strongly that the debate that dominates the issue is not one that should take place. It is not a debate for Muslims against the government, it is however, a MUSLIM-MUSLIM debate. The definition of the veil is a very vague one that to this day, Muslim women are not convinced that to become religious, one must wear it anyway.
I think that the ban's attempt in France is truly legitimate, the intent that is to assimilate that part of the community to what France stands for in secularism. The full veil has been proven to restrict women, many of them forced upon them by their families. Hence, if their own definition is opposed by the Muslim Arab community as a whole, why are they debating the parliament and not the Muslim community itself. A Question I propose.
Abdul - Abe - whatever you want to call me
