PRESS INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CSID Urges France to Protect Religious Freedom

French version: Lisez le communiqué de presse sur le hijab en français
Arabic version: مركز دراسة الإسلام والديمقراطية يَحْثُّ فرنسا على حِماية الحرياتِ الدينيةِ

Washington D.C. – January 5, 2004 -- The Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID) is deeply concerned that the President of France, Jacques Chirac, has chosen to introduce a law that suppresses peaceful expressions of religion by banning religious symbols and clothing in publicly supported institutions and schools. This development is troubling, given France's great influence and prestige as one of the world's leading democracies. This legislation, if passed, could have a chilling effect on the many societies around the world — many of which are Muslim — that are struggling today to shed authoritarian pasts.

CSID is dedicated to the idea that Islam and democracy are complementary, and that supporting democracy does not require one to relinquish one's faith or visa versa. The freedom to freely express one's religious beliefs—e.g., in this case, to choose to wear or not to wear the headscarf—is a sine qua non of this healthy, complementary relationship. Muslim women who wear the headscarf see it as a religious requirement and much more than a symbol. It is especially regrettable that a democratic country would force women to choose between practicing their faith and the pursuit of an education.

A true democracy must allow all reasonable religious expressions, as long as they are not imposed on others. We are against imposing religious expressions, such as the headscarf, on people just like we are against banning them. A true secular state should not use its monopoly of power and the law to attempt to deny or discriminate against the religious beliefs of its citizens, especially when they are minorities.

Such a law, if passed, does more than oppress French citizens who wish to practice their religion. It incites hostility throughout the Muslim world when exactly the opposite - the example of toleration and the peaceful accommodation of others- is desperately needed. A scarf, a cross, or a yarmulke should not, in any society, distract students from learning their lessons. Forcing Muslim girls in France to choose between going to school and practicing their faith does serious damage to the development of democratic ideals by inflaming emotions and closing minds to the merits of democracy throughout the world just at a time when we need progress toward these ideals.

We urge President Chirac, and the French people, to re-examine this issue in light of the concerns expressed in this statement and with the goal of strengthening the ideals of democracy, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony in France and around the world.

For Media Information, please contact: Radwan A. Masmoudi, President of CSID, at 202-772-2022.

2121 K Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 942-2183
Fax: (202) 628-8189

PRESS INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE