Extremism is described as the attitude of forcibly imposing a way of life on other fellow beings in complete disregard to their beliefs. Such attitude is antithetic to democracy and pluralism irrespective of whether it is actuated by religious, political or some other considerations. A kind of liberal extremism can be witnessed nowadays in various European countries. A recent proposal by a French parliamentary commission to adopt a law banning women from wearing veil is a clear manifestation of this growing Islamophobia in Europe.

The commission’s report states, “The wearing of the full veil is a challenge to our republic. This is unacceptable. We must condemn this excess.” It also talks of barring women, who wear full veil, from using public services including hospitals, schools and public transportation. It means that the French government is depriving a woman from enjoying state benefits and her right to live with dignity in case of non-compliance with the state-prescribed dress-code.

France has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, estimated at five million, but only fewer than 2,000 women wear veil. It seems quite ridiculous that such a small number of women of a total French population of 65 million can pose any threat to French cultural values. By denying women the right to observe their religious duties, the French government is preparing to undermine the country’s rich cultural legacy.

The proponents of the ban claim to be acting for the freedom of women. Freedom in a society allows its members to fashion their lives in their own way unless necessary to be regulated in a large genuine public interest. The women wearing veil may be asked to remove it if necessary for security considerations, but to compel a woman not to wear veil under any circumstances is tantamount to make a mockery of the real concept of liberalism.

The French Catholic Church has condemned the proposed ban and has stated that it would be perceived as a direct attack on the Muslim community living in France and would make it absurd to demand that Muslim countries respect the rights and religious freedom of minorities. A major left-wing political party of France is also opposing the legal ban. Pierre Rousset, a member of the executive committee of the Fourth International, expressing his concerns about this decision said, “Using legal force to ban an action considered as religious will only make rigid the followers of that religion instead of producing any positive result.” All the legal specialists consulted by the parliamentary commission have also opined that there seems no legal foundation for such kind of law in light of the constitutional protections of individual liberty.

A 2004 French law had already banned Muslim headscarves from primary and secondary school classrooms. The new proposal to ban veil is preceded by Switzerland’s vote to outlaw minarets in November 2009. These may be marginal problems, but behind them are the visible signs of growing Islamophobia in European society. These Islamophobias are also urging the Canadian government to ban veils in public places.

French President Sarkozy has stated that veil is ‘a sign of subservience’. Mr Sarkozy’s statement makes his ignorance of Islamic culture and values crystal clear. Wearing veil is considered a sign of modesty and not that of subservience; among majority of the Muslims, wearing veil is a woman’s own choice, not that of her husband or brother.

We are living in a world in which the interests of all nations lie with establishing peace. In such a situation, extremist attitudes will strain the inter-religious harmony and give rise to mutual mistrust.

The writer is a freelance contributor. Email: rizwanasghar7 @yahoo.com