Not only does he suppport the Swiss with their Ban
on minarets, he also warns other religious groups should
refrain from "ostentation and any provocation". That is not
lilekly to happen with Muslims and Islam. Islam loves to force
confrontation and provacation, anywhere, anytime.
FromTelegraph.co.UK
It is the politically and socially correct thing to do
I would love to see France ban the Burka, the full face veil
as president nobama has specifically mentioned that the
women of Islam should be able to cover their heads and
faces. Sorry, Obama. It is a security risk and Muslim women
are almost exclusively the only ones who REFUSE to remove
theses head/face coverings when asked to for security
reasons. Let's get this one right: Ban the burka, then Islam.Nicolas Sarkozy defends Swiss minaret ban - Telegraph
Hat tip: China Confidential
Go Sarkozy, go!
Nicolas Sarkozy defends Swiss minaret ban
Nicolas Sarkozy has defended Switzerland's ban on building minarets with a warning that religious groups should refrain from "ostentation and any provocation".
By Henry Samuel in Paris
Published: 6:35PM GMT 08 Dec 2009
The French president made the remarks as he sought to justify his own, controversial, "great debate" on France's national identity, which critics say is alienating mainly Muslim immigrants.
In an opinion piece in Le Monde, the president said that while he regretted the "painful misunderstandings" created by the referendum, the vote should be respected.
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"Instead of irrevocably condemning the Swiss people, let's also try to understand what it sought to express and what so many peoples in Europe, including the French, feel," he said.
"What happened has nothing to do with the freedom of religious practise, or freedom of conscience," he wrote.
He asked all believers to avoid "ostentation and provocation" and instead show "humble discretion".
"The peoples of Europe are welcoming and tolerant: it's in their nature and in their culture. But they don't want their way of life, their mode of thinking and their social relations distorted," he added.
His comments came as Eric Cantona, the French footballer, joined the debate, deriding "stupid" nationalist approaches to the issue of national identity.
"Being French, does that mean having to speak French, sing the Marseillaise? That's just stupid," said the retired France and Manchester United striker who is a son of Spanish and Italian immigrants.
"Being French means being revolutionary."
France is home to Europe's largest Muslim minority and where Islam now ranks as the nation's second religion.
Next month, a parliamentary inquiry will produce a much-awaited report on whether to ban the burka, or full Islamic veil, which Mr Sarkozy has said "has no place in France".
Despite several local campaigns by the French far right, dozens of mosques are due to be built in France, including a Grand Mosque in Marseille that will have an 82ft minaret.
The government has ruled out a minaret construction ban but says that mayors have the final word on building new mosques with towers, which is a matter for "urban planning".
France's six million Muslims congregate in fewer than 2,500 mosques and prayer houses, many in basements. France has 64 mosques with minarets.
Mr Sarkozy's words were published hours before the French parliament began a debate on national identity, after weeks of town hall meetings on the issue.
A government website on the subject has received 40,000 comments, though up to 10 per cent have been removed for being "racist or xenophobic".
The French Left has accused the president of igniting the issue to woo far-right voters ahead of regional elections next March.
Although Mr Sarkozy has called it a "noble debate", detractors – some from within his own camp – warn he is playing into the National Front's hands.
"How can one be surprised at the success of extremists when one doesn't take into account the suffering of voters?" he asked yesterday.
China Confidential
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6761632/Nicolas-Sarkozy-defends-Swiss-minaret-ban.html
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