“It runs contrary to our values and contrary to the idea we have of a woman’s dignity”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an “unambiguous” parliamentary resolution against the full face-covering Muslim veil, an item of clothing believed to be worn by some 2,000 women in France. “The full veil is not welcome in France because it runs contrary to our values and contrary to the idea we have of a woman’s dignity,” he said. Yet he cautioned against the total ban on the burka or niqab advocated by figures in his right-wing UMP party out of concern the extreme move would further alienate France’s Muslim population, believed to number six million. Lawmakers should wait for the results of a six-month parliamentary inquiry before acting further, he said, adding it was “essential that no one felt stigmatized.”