Tunisia moves to Ban Headscarfes and veils!

A rather shocking development, considering it is an Islamic country, but Tunisia is moving to enforce a 1981 law prohibiting the wearing of veils and headscarfes in public. They cite the same reasons that have sparked controversy here in the UK, namely that it promotes self seperation and segregation.

The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

Police are applying with renewed vigour a decree dating back to 1981 which prohibits women from wearing Islamic headscarves in public places.

In recent days, senior officials have hit out at what they describe as sectarian dress worn by people who use religion to hide political aims.

BBC News

[edit on 16/10/06 by stumason]

Mod Edit: title

[edit on 16-10-2006 by kinglizard]

All I can say is wow.

We'll see how long this lasts, and what comes of it.

Last time I checked, Tunisia was hardly a true democracy, but on the other hand it is the most liberal of all Arab countries. As early as the 1950's, their Dictator/President made it his goal to stand against Islamic extremism and gave women equal rights, banned polygamy and provided free, compulsory education.

Although their elections appear to be a sham, they are not a brutal dictatorship. Having said that, they have a string central government which is quite capable of enforcing the law.

well, i just got back from a week in tunisia and i saw a few women with headscarves on but no veiled women. i saw more veiled women on london's streets. however, you dont really see many women out on the streets and the ones you do were doing the shopping or coming home from school. you see a lot of men sitting around not doing much though

they may be 'liberal' in some ways as a country but if you say a word against the president, you will be jailed for life. perhaps they should think about that a little more.

I can see eliminating the burka or a veil, but the scarf around the head seems to go to far. Peopel shouldn't be able to walk around in public with masks on, but a scarf isn't a mask.

Though, since they are talking about eliminating sectarian clothing that results in segregation between people, I suppose it has nothing to do with hiding the face.

Given that this guy is a dictator, and given that the law has been around for over 20 years now, perhaps its good to ask, 'why now'? If he was really interested in the law, wouldn't he have enforced it decades ago? Is he perhaps more interseted in suppressing an islamist movement against him? Or suppressing some other political party who's members tend to wear these items?
Heck, he might even have the police selectively enforce it in areas that are simply not in support of him too.