The burqa as a fashion trend

Before Christmas Jean-François Copé, president of the conservative French governing party UMP's group in the National Assembly, announced that he intended to introduce legislation banning burqas. In an interview with the daily Le Monde he explains why: "The burqa presents two problems: respect for women and security. If we don't take action quickly, in one, two or three years the burqa will become a fashion trend, and it will be chic to go around in one. Nevertheless, a bared face is the most basic element of dialogue, and key to respecting someone's identity. You think a woman will be allowed to pick up a child from school if she's covered from head to toe? ... France is a republican country, and the French people respect the law. I'm reminded of the debate over the headscarf. At that time people said it wouldn't be possible to pass legislation, and it took the firm will of President Chirac to do it."

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