Religious Face Covers

In 2011, the French banning of religious face coverings caused much controversy within the Muslim community. This brings several questions to the table, such as cultural relativism, or understanding a culture, rather than judging. Veils, burkas, or niqabs, are the covering of either the face or the body of many Muslim women. Face coverings can be seen from several different perspectives. “To some, it is a sign of oppression and cultural separatism; to others, it is an exercise in modesty, pious devotion, and even self-expression.” (Everett etal. 2015: 91) Many Muslims, and French people alike, feel as if this ban is unnecessary and is religiously targeted which coincides with shocking news stories of the treatment of Muslims in France. However, the law is still in place today, and a large number of individuals hold the banning of face coverings in high regard. This ban started slowly, in 2004, with religious symbols being …show more content…
Many hold the ban in high regard, however the ban is unnecessary and offensive. Many Muslim women actually choose to wear their veils for religious reasons. These women are interested in their culture, and while it is not a large percent, it is not right to reprimand those who wear the veils for pride in the religion. The banning of face coverings can be seen as racist, xenophobic and ethnocentric. These goes against France’s way of their desire to be a diverse society. It can also be seen as a violation of religious freedom. The slow banning of religious symbols to now, clothing, is a scary subject, because what is next, could be even more offensive and disrespectful to one’s culture. While many people believe that this ban is for the good, to get rid of violence and fear others believe the treatment of Muslims in France is something to be taken seriously. The violation of religious freedom is serious and if it continues, the world will not