"Taking a position opposed to that of France, Barack Obama defended the right of Muslim women in the West to wear the veil. In 2004, in the name of secularism, France banned all ostentatious religious symbols from schools, including the Islamic veil."
In his speech in Cairo on
Thursday, the American president took the opposite position from France in
supporting the right of Muslim women to wear the veil in Western countries.
Taking a position
opposed to that of France, Barack Obama defended the right of Muslim women in
the West to wear the veil. In 2004 in the name of secularism, France banned all
ostentatious religious symbols from schools, including the Islamic veil. The
controversy also occurred in Canada, Belgium and Germany. "It is important
for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion
as they see fit, for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should
wear," Obama said
Thursday. Without naming a country, he continued, "We cannot disguise
hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism." He
added, "I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to
cover her hair is somehow less equal." A veiled Muslim named Dalia Mogahed works in the White House as an Obama advisor. A
first.
OBAMA ADVISOR DALJIT DHALIWAL ON ISLAM AND AMERICA
