Proposed Ban of Burqa in Public

(Paris, France) Sacre bleu! According to French government spokesman, Luc Chatel:

The government would seek to set up a parliamentary commission that could propose legislation aimed at barring Muslim women from wearing the burqa and other fully covering gowns outside the home.

“If we find that use of the burqa was very clearly imposed (on women) ... we would draw the appropriate conclusions,” Chatel said. Asked whether that could mean legislation banning the burqa in France, he responded “why not?”

In France, the terms “burqa” and “niqab” often are used interchangeably. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black.

Chatel’s comments have helped revive debate about whether wear of Islamic garments is appropriate in France, a country with a long and proud secular tradition.

I suggest that the proposal will be met with vigorous rebuttal, including sharp objections by Muslim leaders and thousands of cars torched by mysterious, unidentifiable youths.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.