As many of us have noticed by now, the hijab issue in
Europe, ignited perhaps clearly in France, runs deeper than
what most may have expected. It is not purely a right vs.
wrong issue, or a black vs. white vision; I think it is the
product of gross misunderstandings on both sides. As much
as Muslims demand of the French to understand that hijab is
in fact a religious obligation, an issue of religious
practice and not merely a "symbol," perhaps it would be
necessary for Muslims too to understand and to learn more
about French culture and history.
I often read that French secularism in itself has a unique
tone to it very different from other European versions,
perhaps more exclusive, perhaps more radical, yet it is
clearly distinct, and very much likely to produce this
current clash with Islam.
But I think that there are also some more important
questions that need to be addressed regarding French
secularism. Is it really one front? Does it in fact have a
single version that we can arrive at and safely claim that
we have more or less grasped the full meaning of secularism
in France?
I invite all those interested to start this "Talking
French" group; to read and to research more on
France's "laicite" and to do the best they can, especially
Muslims, to step into French shoes, and to try to think and
talk as a French man or woman would, if one can make such
generalization.
Let me know what you guys think :)
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