Is Covering the Face A Religious Duty in Islam?

by Phyllis Chesler
Pajamas Media
July 18, 2010

http://www.phyllis-chesler.com/823/covering-the-face-religious-duty-in-islam

Excerpt:

Earlier this week, I published an article at FOX News about the recent French law to ban "face coverings." The law does not refer to "Islam" or the "Islamic Veil," nor does it specifically mention the "burqa" or "niqab." The law is crafted in the kind of religion- and ethnicity-neutral way that Christopher Caldwell, the author of Reflections on the Revolution in Europe has suggested might work across Europe.

I wrote:

"This ban is expected to pass in the French senate. However, it may be found 'unconstitutional' by the French Council of State or by the European Court of Human Rights. Nevertheless, in my opinion, once again, France is leading the way in the battle for women's freedom and human rights."

Mainly, I argued that there is absolutely no religious basis or religious duty to cover one's face in Islam. It has been customary to do so—but it has been equally customary not to do so.

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Related Topics:  Hijab & Burqa, Islamic Gender & Religious Apartheid receive the latest by email: subscribe to phyllis chesler's free mailing list