Passage of French burqa ban law prompts reader mail

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

I think the burqa is disrespectful to the customs, traditions of a host country or adopted one. I applaud the decision. Although many more countries feel the same as France and Belgium, they are afraid to do something about it. They cannot stand up for their beliefs, because it may be seen as not politically correct or they just don't want to step on some toes. -- Stefaye, US

The niqab is the right of every Muslim woman. -- Mohamed, Ethiopia

Every person must respect the law of every country. For example, the women who wear the burqa have to be respectful of the laws of France. -- Hector, Colombia

Muslims all over the world have been wearing headscarves for years, so why the sudden interest now? How does a scarf hurt anyone? Muslim women and nuns wear scarves as a sign of their faith. Originally Christians were also told to cover their heads when entering a church. I am a Muslim woman, I have lots of non-Muslim friends and I have a German fiance, yet none of them judged me by my dress and instead got to know me as a person. Covering of the face I can understand people disliking, as your identity is hidden, but seriously, what is wrong with a scarf? Isn't Germany, or France, proud to be multicultural, proud to have different people of different skin? Shouldn't a person be judged by their personality and behavior? -- Sana, Great Britain

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Rob Turner