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PP on Halal certification Thank you for the Halal Choices and the info about Coles - I will not be purchasing meat from Coles henceforth. In the UK it ... more
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President Sarkozy and the Burkha

Posted by: Michael Smith | 23 June, 2009 - 1:39 PM

Nicholas Sarkozy is the French President. For the first time in the past 136 years – a French president addressed senators and MPs at the Palace of Versailles in a joint sitting of the French Parliament.

The issues that he chose for his address – the Burkha. The French President said it’s an affront to women and there’s no place it in France.

Listen to the audio here

Remarkably, his comments came only hours before he was to host a state dinner with Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani of Qatar. Many women in the Gulf state wear Islamic head coverings in public - whether while shopping or driving cars. But Sarkozy says it should not be so in France.

France enacted a law in 2004 banning the Islamic headscarf from public schools, sparking fierce debate at home and abroad. France has Western Europe's largest Muslim population, an estimated 5 million people.

Last year, the country's highest court refused to grant French citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wears a burkha, on the grounds that her Muslim practices were incompatible with French gender equality and secularism laws.

I agree with Sarkozy. As an architect mate of mine once said – you design the inside of your house for you, and the outside for your neighbours.

I want to see people’s faces when I walk down the street. There are many public places where a reasonable person would be intimidated by a human form clad in a balaclava. I can’t see any justification for a member of our society to be covered up from head to toe with no facial features visible in shops and other places like banks where you’re likely to cause a panic.

Let’s move with the times and not take Australia back to mediaeval customs.

Blog comments

Hey Bigfellah with the Bleedin' Heart. In your bloody dreams, my friend, In Your Dreams. In your heart of hearts do you really wish to see our beloved country become the same as England, the Nederlands and France, throw in Denmark and Sweden too, and thats just for starters.

Phil of Springwood Friday 8 January, 2010 - 11:28 PM
An idea for Australia day- Ask all people to celebrate it together by not wearing any religious clothing for one day- would it really hurt to be the same in appearance for one day?

David Thursday 7 January, 2010 - 9:17 PM
Bigfella

How can you compare Muslim immigrants with the other countries you have mentioned? Most of them aren't fighting authority all over the world, demanding their own laws etc above local law. Suicide bombers, capital punishment, violence, no forgiveness, acid in faces, punishment if you want to change your religion, moral police the list goes on & on. Integration is a joke with many Muslims. Most other countries immigrants mix eventually. Remember when the Pope quoted an old speech? Remember the teacher who called a teddy Mohammed?- Tell me again all the good things Muslims are bringing to Australia. Obama said the USA isn't at war with Islam, but, many Muslims are at war with the west. Muslim leaders have great power over their followers (eg Iran election result) They could stamp out terrorist overnight if they wanted to, but it serves a purpose. Did you see the Islamic children programs from Egypt teaching hatred of Jews on the Chaser? Sorry Bigfella, I love this country too much to see it being stuffed up like UK the is.

David Monday 27 July, 2009 - 9:16 PM
David,
My guess is that any Muslims that come to Australia from the four corners of the world will bring with them the similarly positive attributes as the English, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese and others have brought, and continue to bring, helping to make this country great.
I'm sure that, in years gone by, there were Australians who were sceptical about the benefits that migrants might bring. Now, most thinking people have come to value the contribution made to the nation by immigrants over the decades.
By the way, with regard to the piggy-bank 'story' - you might consider this report - http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1494636.htm

bigfella Friday 17 July, 2009 - 11:00 PM
What positive changes will islam bring to Australia? If you can't think of any, can you think of any negative changes?- In the UK a bank had to ban Piggy banks!-Our only hope in Australia is through leadership- Moral, Political and ordinary citizens. Lets make it clear to all religious leaders that Australia's way of life is above their selfish view, which is all about POWER-The longer we wait, the harder it will become.

David Thursday 16 July, 2009 - 9:07 PM
Lets start the debate about copying the French in Australia. Lets act now before it gets out of hand. Muslim schools produce more muslims who can't integrate. They should be made to mix and respect others. Not believe the death of an infidel will give them a reward ( all non muslims). Do we want Aus to be like the UK in 20 years time? Lets learn from their mistakes.

David Tuesday 30 June, 2009 - 10:57 PM