Here there are no eyes: Women Detained in France for wearing Islamic Veils

The ban of face covering veils while in public in France became law on April 11th, 2011. This ban includes Islamic veils such as the burqa and niqab, garments that some Muslim's are obligated to wear. 

The two women that were briefly detained were held for unlawfully protesting inside the Notre Dame in Paris. Another woman and two men were also briefly detained for their involvement with the protest.

 Protesting this ban is becoming increasingly common in Paris and other scattered French cities. Many Muslims see this as a personal attack on their faith, regardless of whether they believe the veils to be a just obligation or if they wear them willing out of their love for God, they believe it is their right to decide.

The debate, first brought to official's attention by France's president Nicolas Sarkozy, was introduced over a year ago. Intense debate has followed its emergence and in the previous months preparations have been made to implement the ban.   

Practitioners of Islam that observe the use of veils in France believe this to be a direct attack on their religion by President Sarkozy. Officials state this as a separation of church and state and the need to, "preserve French culture and to fight what they see as separatist tendencies among Muslims." 

As the ban stands now, disciplinary action is taken for the first two offenses. This means the women charged for wearing a veil will be escorted home the first two times, and any time after that they will be fined. The fines lay around 150 euros or 217 US dollars, and sometimes include violators to complete a citizenship course. In the same vein if someone is found of forcing a women to wear any full face covering garments the penalty is more severe as it includes a fine up to 30,000 euro and or imprisonment.

Other European countries have debated over the same issue, but as it stands now France is the only country that has implemented a full ban. Belgium, Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Denmark, Germany, and Russia are all European countries that permit facial coverings. 

President Sarkozy has been under political-fire as some see this as a ploy to get votes out of Frances more traditionally grounded voters. Critics also argue that President Sarkozy is, "playing politics with a generalized and unjustified fear of Islam and immigrants."        

Brittany Triecl, a Junior at Plymouth State University, was irritated about the politics of the ban, "I think that's too much control. It just doesn't make sense. People do stupid things. Politics is such a show."

Where as PSU Sophomore Michael Di Tommaso was more annoyed with the religious aspect of the ban. Stating, "It certainly seems discriminatory, I don't know if they have a religious biases for this. As an American, I don't see what good it does. It really seems that France stands on their own in this." 

This is not an issue that is just going to disappear. The minority of people that are opposed to this ban are so whole heartedly. However the overwhelming majority are in favor of the ban. So far the protests have been peaceful, but only time will tell how this will play out.