A new wind of change related to the Islamic dress code blows in France and Denmark. After Marwa Al-Sherbini’s discrimination against her hijab in Germany, two new cases are now in the spotlight in the European continent – Carole, a French Muslim convert and Maria Mawla, a Danish Home Guard soldier, informs IslamOnline.
While the burkini has been quietly integrated into the Netherlands according to the Dutch National Platform of Swimming Pools, in France the case is completely different. Carole was allowed to use hers in Emerainville’s public pool one month ago, but this August her situation changed. Officials denied Carole access to the same pool because due to her Islamic swimsuit.
Following 2004's French ban on "religious symbols" in public schools, including the hijab, and the recent setting up of the Parliamentary commission for a possible ban on burqa, veiled women in France, of the biggest European Muslim minority, encounter a new situation which motivates them to fight for their rights. "Quite simply, this is segregation…I will fight to try to change things," Carole declared. Burqa "is not welcome in France" according to its president Nicolas Sarkozy. What about the women who wear it? Are they welcome? Is Carole still welcomed in her home country while wearing burqa or burkini?
In Denmark, a different EU Member State, Maria Mawla finds her story in the newspapers due to a change, too. Mawla had been allowed to wear a headscarf under her helmet and her case was even portrayed on the Home Guard’s site. Yet, recently Maria has not been allowed to use the headscarf at work anymore. Denmark’s Defense Minister, Soren Gade, told the Parliament "I find wearing for example a headscarf to be incompatible with a military uniform. Both in the regular Defense and the Home Guard."
"United in diversity," European Union's motto, emphasizes that the many cultures, traditions and languages in Europe are a positive asset. Adopting the same slogan by the European Muslim women community while coming together to fight discrimination will make their voices heard and may be an effective solution to Islamophobia. Whether veiled or not, they face similar challenges in terms of integration. Yet, those who are not willing to make compromises when it comes to their religion encounter more provocations which lead to dilemmas almost everywhere.
By IslamOnline
