French Senate Votes 246-1 to Ban Muslim Burqas Options

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http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/...-means/19633485

(Sept. 14) -- Following the lead of the National Assembly, the French Senate today voted overwhelmingly to ban full Islamic veils in public. The final tally was 246 in favor of enacting the new law, and one legislator voting against it.

In July, the National Assembly voted 335-1 to pass the law, which bears the formal name "Forbidding the Concealing of the Face in the Public Space." Al-Jazeera reported that the text does not actually contain the words "veil" or "Islam."

Today's move, however, is clearly directed at the relatively small number of Muslim women who opt for covering their faces with full veils or garments such as burqas. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who supports the new law, has said that women who wear the burqa are "not welcome" in the country.

Islam is France's second-largest religion, and the new law is expected to set off a new wave of controversy. Critics claim the restriction is a violation of individual rights that will keep observant Muslim women from leaving their homes rather than go outside without facial covering. The law's advocates maintain that it will prevent men from forcing their wives, sisters and daughters to wear the veil, which many regard as a symbol of submission.

Legal challenges to the proposed law will be heard by the country's Constitutional Council, and some within the government are already arguing that the law is unconstitutional.

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