In the latest in a series of racist attacks, the French government has established a commission to studying banning the burqa—a traditional veil sometimes worn by Muslim women. On June 22, French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke to the parliament, saying the burqa was not “welcome on French soil.”
Five years ago, the French government banned Muslim headscarves in schools and public offices. The ban led to a large movement rightly condemning it as racism and an attack against women.
There are 5 million Muslims in France, many immigrants or the children of immigrants from former French colonies in the Middle East, northern Africa and Asia. The French elite have waged an ongoing offensive against Muslims, supporting an increasing wave of racism within French society that serves their own needs for exploitation.
In the latest attack on the burqa, many French politicians claim they are trying to “protect” women’s rights. But this liberal rhetoric is just cover for racism.
