No halfway measures for this Muslim politician

Submitted by Vijay (United Kingdom), Aug 16, 2009 at 05:45

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8203290.stm

French minister urges burka ban

Urban Regeneration Minister Fadela Amara told the Financial Times that a veil covering everything but the eyes represented "the oppression of women".

Ms Amara said she was "in favour of the burka not existing in my country".

The comments come as French MPs hold hearings on whether to ban the garment, which covers the body from head to toe.

The National Assembly set up the 32-member commission after President Nicolas Sarkozy said the burka was "not welcome" in France, home to Western Europe's largest population of Muslims.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Saturday, Ms Amara said she was in favour of an outright ban on the burka, even though it might be difficult to apply.

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