Hijab banned in France

By Ashrafunnesa Flora, On e-mail
9 September 2004, 18:00 PM
. PHOTO: AFP
From September 2 Hijab has become prohibited in educational institutes as well as in government offices in France. Considering it as a religious symbol, the French government has prohibited it. Being an advocate of liberty, equality and fraternity, it is not clear how they have adopted such a policy , that interferes with religious freedom and is a direct violation of human rights. Article 9 of the ECHR and article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states: "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance". If they respect different religious groups, they should be pleased with the fact that Muslim women are coming out to educate themselves and playing their role even in government services. If they ban Hijab, in that case either they will remain at home or protest it, which will slowdown their progress.

In this perspective I'd love to mention that people of our country are more careful about the religious rights of the Hindus, Buddhists and Christians and determined to protect all their rights and never support any policy that violate basic human rights. In response to the call of the international conference held in London presided by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on 12 July 2004, Bangladesh has joined the International Assembly For Protection of Hijab and celebrating the day creating public awareness on 4 September 2004 along with other 20 countries.

This has definitely enlightened the image of our country.