This is with reference to the article “Whatever happened to French ideals” (Aug. 22) by Syed Tausief Ausaf. It is sad to note that France is fast abandoning its liberal ideals. Imposing bans on veils or swimsuits, as the writer has correctly pointed out, are not going to deter the terrorists from carrying out attacks on the French soil. These actions will only help radical elements who are targeting the marginalized French Muslims. Instead of taking these harsh measures targeting a segment of the French society, the French authorities should try to work for the uplift of the minority communities. Inclusive policies are the answer to many problems France is currently facing.
The argument presented to justify ban on burkini is beyond comprehension. Taking extreme measures are becoming popular in the West. Western leaders apparently don’t realize that such steps will hamper global efforts in the war on terror. The radicals are already hell bent on portraying anti-terror war as the war on Islam and these bans and scathing statements issued by western officials are only helping the radical organizations.
The burkini ban in the name of French culture was uncalled for. Earlier the veils were banned in various parts of Europe citing security reasons but now the French have come up with cultural reasons behind this ban. This is simply outrageous and is most likely to deepen the social divide between Muslims and non-Muslims in the West particularly in France.
I appreciate the writer for offering a very good explanation for the use of veil and burkini by Muslim women. It was a good intellectual attempt to remove misconceptions about the Islamic dress code. It is not a sign of oppression, as many in the West would like to believe. I urge Muslim intellectuals and opinion leaders to make efforts to dispel wrong notions about Muslims and Islam. — Syed Abdullah Masood, Jeddah
Removing misconceptions
