Muslim women fight burqa ban in France

Fri May 20, 2011 1:2AM

Ramin Mazaheri, Press TV, Paris

France may have shut the door on women in face-covering veils, but many are refusing to remain isolated. The controversial law against face-covering garments has been in effect for nearly six weeks, and while no one has reported paying the mandated 150-euro fine, these women say the impact on their life has been beyond measure.

These women also charge that their human rights have been ignored.
For moral support, the women created the organization Amazons of Liberty last month. The organization has around 150 members, and while most wear face-covering veils some are sympathetic non-Muslims.
Those behind the law claim that the ban is necessary to maintain France's tradition of separation between church and state.
Despite the pressure, these women consider themselves to be patriots, supporting a French tradition that predates the country's secularism: fighting for liberty.
These women have faces. And they say that it's their right to keep them hidden, if they choose. What they will not hide, it seems, are their voices.

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