Bahraini women demonstrate against veil banning in France

A demonstration took place yesterday in Bahrain, in which some 300 women took place to protest a decision taken by the French President Jacque Chirac banning veils, and other religious symbols, such as Christian crosses, and Jewish symbols, according to news reports, in the state run schools.

The demonstrating women gathered in front of the French embassy, raising banners demanding Chirac not to permit women to practice her own freedom in choosing her own customs. They also called on Muslims in other countries to organize similar acts of protest.

The demonstration was organized by both al-Resalla (the message ) and al-Taw'eya al-Islameyah ( the Islamic awareness ).The chairman of al-Resalla society, Jafaar al-Alawi, said that Chirac's call is unacceptable even in term of the humanitarian aspect, because woman have the right to wear what they like, according to the western ideals.

He added that this women gathering aims at sending a message to the French society that there is solidarity from Muslims with the right of Muslim women in France to wear the veil.

One demonstrating woman said that this demonstration aims at condemning the French decision, because the veil is one of Islam's prescribed rules, and giving it up means giving up ones' faith. The demonstrating women said that they will hand over the French embassy a message of protest in this meaning addressed to Chirac.

Some senior Muslim leaders in France said that the law targets Islam and isolating Muslims in this European country where number of Muslims number 5 million. Chirac supported banning the wearing of the veil in state run schools in a speech he had delivered on December 17. The banning decision also covers large crosses and the Jewish symbols.