Sarkozy's utterance and fundamental right!
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Abul Kalam Azad
FRENCH President Sarkozy has recently said that 'Burqa' -- a kind of veil that the Muslim women wear -- will be banned in France and that wearing of veil is not religious but torture and punishment for women. Such utterances by the French president have caused a great stir and also have led to protests among the Muslims across the globe. Not only the Muslims but also the Sikhs have protested the same strongly who, in the meantime, demonstrated on the streets of Paris. It should be mentioned that the Sikhs wear turban traditionally and now it is a part of their culture. Earlier, the French government had banned the wearing of veil as the scarf draping the head by Muslim girls in the school, despite facing severe criticism from the Muslim community.
It is the firm belief of the Muslims that Hazrat Mohammad (SM) is the last and greatest prophet of the world upon whom the Holy Quran has been revealed where the rules and regulations of leading the earthly life have been clearly instructed that can't -- or, in the fullest sense of the term, must not -- be overlooked by any Muslim. The Quran advises the Muslim women not to display their adornments publicly. We may here place the utterances of Allah!
"O prophet ! Tell
They wives and daughters,
And the believing women
That they should cost
Their outer garments over
Their bodies (when abroad):
That is most convenient,
That they should be known
(As such) and not molested
And Allah is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful."
(Surah: Al-Ahzab, Verse-59, translated by Maulana Abdullah Yusuf Ali).
There are also a number of verses in the Holy Quran where the importance of using Burqa or veil has been stressed for the safety of the women folk and for the betterment of mankind. A Muslim women can't violate the order of Allah to whom she has to return with her activities. To follow the rules and regulations of religion is a fundamental right of a person and none should can interfere in this matter. Moreover, a democratic government can't dictate citizens in matters of what to wear and what to eat.
In a democratic state, every person enjoys some fundamental rights. Performing religious activities without disturbing others can't be forbidden in a democratic state but unfortunately, despite claiming itself a democratic country, France is trying to take away this fundamental right. This will, of course, go against democratic norms and practices. France, Britain, the USA and other western countries always provide us 'sermons' on democracy, human rights, fundamental principles, freedom of personal choice and so on. Consequently, we are surprised when we helplessly observe that those nations themselves violate fundamental rights and democratic norms principles. This kind of hypocrisy should be stopped for building a peaceful and exploitation-free world.
The writer is a lecturer in English, IES School & College, Uttara, Dhaka.
FRENCH President Sarkozy has recently said that 'Burqa' -- a kind of veil that the Muslim women wear -- will be banned in France and that wearing of veil is not religious but torture and punishment for women. Such utterances by the French president have caused a great stir and also have led to protests among the Muslims across the globe. Not only the Muslims but also the Sikhs have protested the same strongly who, in the meantime, demonstrated on the streets of Paris. It should be mentioned that the Sikhs wear turban traditionally and now it is a part of their culture. Earlier, the French government had banned the wearing of veil as the scarf draping the head by Muslim girls in the school, despite facing severe criticism from the Muslim community.
It is the firm belief of the Muslims that Hazrat Mohammad (SM) is the last and greatest prophet of the world upon whom the Holy Quran has been revealed where the rules and regulations of leading the earthly life have been clearly instructed that can't -- or, in the fullest sense of the term, must not -- be overlooked by any Muslim. The Quran advises the Muslim women not to display their adornments publicly. We may here place the utterances of Allah!
"O prophet ! Tell
They wives and daughters,
And the believing women
That they should cost
Their outer garments over
Their bodies (when abroad):
That is most convenient,
That they should be known
(As such) and not molested
And Allah is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful."
(Surah: Al-Ahzab, Verse-59, translated by Maulana Abdullah Yusuf Ali).
There are also a number of verses in the Holy Quran where the importance of using Burqa or veil has been stressed for the safety of the women folk and for the betterment of mankind. A Muslim women can't violate the order of Allah to whom she has to return with her activities. To follow the rules and regulations of religion is a fundamental right of a person and none should can interfere in this matter. Moreover, a democratic government can't dictate citizens in matters of what to wear and what to eat.
In a democratic state, every person enjoys some fundamental rights. Performing religious activities without disturbing others can't be forbidden in a democratic state but unfortunately, despite claiming itself a democratic country, France is trying to take away this fundamental right. This will, of course, go against democratic norms and practices. France, Britain, the USA and other western countries always provide us 'sermons' on democracy, human rights, fundamental principles, freedom of personal choice and so on. Consequently, we are surprised when we helplessly observe that those nations themselves violate fundamental rights and democratic norms principles. This kind of hypocrisy should be stopped for building a peaceful and exploitation-free world.
The writer is a lecturer in English, IES School & College, Uttara, Dhaka.