[A-List] UK: Livingstone attacks headscarf ban

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Headscarves ban dangerous game, says Ken Livingstone
BRIAN DONNELLY
The Herald, February 11 2004

FRENCH politicians yesterday voted overwhelmingly to banish religious
emblems from state schools, a measure meant to keep tensions between Muslim
and Jewish minorities out of public classrooms.

The national assembly voted 494 to 36 to ban Muslim headscarves, Jewish
skullcaps, and large Christian crosses and to expel pupils who insisted on
wearing them.

The government said the ban did not single out any religion, but cabinet
ministers acknowledged that its main targets were the Islamic headscarves
and anti-Semitic remarks from Muslim pupils that teachers say have become
more frequent.

Ken Livingstone, London mayor, described the move as a mistake that risked
increasing anti-Muslim feeling. He said Jacques Chirac, the French
president, "is playing a terribly, terribly dangerous game in the same way
that many politicians felt they could pander to Hitler in the 20s".

He added: "The only way to defeat fascism in Europe is to stand against
every demand they make. It is an anti-Muslim measure and will stir up
anti-Muslim pressure."

The ban has wide public support in France, which has the largest Muslim and
Jewish minorities in western Europe.

However, leaders of the country's five million Muslims denounce it as
discriminatory. It also provoked criticism from Muslim and Christian leaders
abroad, including Pope John Paul.

While the British government has said it would not consider a similar ban,
Abeer Pharaon, president of the Muslim Women's Society, said ministers
should strengthen their opposition.

"We remain extremely concerned that this rapid spread of this legislation
throughout Europe might encourage extremists and fascists to attack and
insult Muslim women in the UK," said Ms Pharaon.

Lord Janner, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, described the vote
as a sad decision and added: "In a multicultural society, citizens should be
free to wear whatever appropriate religious symbols they wish."