French 2004 law banning the ostentatious signs of religion in public primary, middle and high schools

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, and peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

Signature:

Dated:

ABSTRACT

In this research, we try to explore the idea of cultural, racial and religious discrimination in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on the decision of the French government to impose a ban on headscarf and burka, which Muslim women wear as a religious and cultural obligation. The research will try to assess the reasons for which the government of France decided to impose a ban on burka and headscarf. We will look into the reasons so as to how headscarf and burka actually create a problem in France to the extent that it has been banned. The research will also analyze many aspects of the laws pertaining to a ban on veil and try to gauge its overall effect on the lives of Muslim women and how their religious and cultural sentiments have been hurt because of the blatant decision of the French government to impose a ban on observing veil in public. In order to present both sides of the picture and balance the acquired information on the said topic, an evaluation of the Islamic concept of veil is also incorporated in this research so that an impartial and equilibrated conclusion can be reached. Moreover, the research would also throw light on the consequent reactions of the people. For the purpose of reaching a holistic and impartial analysis, the research will employ the qualitative method of research whereby a plethora of literature on the given topic would be considered and a discussion and analysis would be carried out in the light of the literature. Finally, this research will try to reflect upon whether the ban is justified or not and try to present a neutral, yet rational conclusion on the said issue, after reading which the readers can develop their own judgement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

The problem of Burka in France2

Is the ban justified?3

Headscarf as a Problem5

Significance of Headscarf6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW8

Legal Analysis8

The Laws9

First case in 19899

The case of Creil (September 1989)10

Laicite in the School, the Nation and the Culture14

Laicite and the Public Sphere14

The French Guide to the Burka Ban17

Les Emutes - The Riots of 200518

CHAPTER 3: THE STASI COMMISSION REPORT21

Radicalizing the Muslim and the Headscarf Wearer21

The Stasi Commission Report23

CHAPTER 4: ASSIMILATION IN FRENCH SOCIETY27

Debate on Assimilation27

Legitimizing the ban on Headscarf28

Who needs to be "assimilated"?29

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION31

Summary31

Implications32

Conclusion33

WORKS CITED35

BIBLIOGRAPHY41

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

France is a liberal and democratic country. Not only this, but France is ...