My views on the hijab ban: The ban is obviously wrong, and stems from misunderstandings about the hijab, as well as having double standards. ‘This means that in our country, in France, any journalist is free to speak about the French President, the Government, the political majority or minority or indeed the rest of the world.’ This is what Macron said in an Al-Jazeera interview. Sounds like it's promoting free speech, doesn't it? Yet for some reason, hijab does not come into this freedom of expression, which is also supported by the universal declaration of human rights: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and 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 teaching, practice, worship and observance.’ Apparently, this is because the hijab is ‘sexist’ and symbolises the inferiority of women. That is not true. There is no verse in the quran that allows ‘humans’ to force it, yes it's obligatory(being mentioned as such) but only on an individual basis. Of course, there is symbolism, but if you look at Surah Ahzab, verse 59, then you will see that it is of modesty, and chastity. Maybe we should be blaming the people who force it instead, and likewise blame the people forcing others to take it off. Both are similar, forcing a women for something that is ‘her’ choice. Both are wrong. If we look at what France is currently doing(banning halal meat and other things because they're ‘separatist’, ignoring the fact that they themselves are barring us from integrating), this takes on a more Islamaphobic tone. Now for France's principles of secularism, which they cite as a reason. It seems the fact that government can't interfere with religion(as long as the latter has no notable social consequences) is ignored. Social consequences of hijab? Nonsense. The social consequence is BECAUSE of the ban. Perhaps it's time to abandon laicite. After all, it was created to protect the government against the sway of the Catholic Church, which dominated. Is today's society like that? No. We have more diversity than ever, there is no need to protect the government when they already serve the people fairly, as to treat a minority differently is obviously discrimination.
