Rather than enhancing secular democracy, a ban on the veil, or niqab, diminishes it. Instead of curbing “Islamic fundamentalism,” it fans it. Far from advancing the integration of veil wearers into the mainstream, it marginalizes them even more.

We end up with the opposite of what we want. That’s what overkill does.

We’ve learned that lesson in the war on terrorism, but we have yet to in the cultural war on Muslims, which is what niqab banning is all about, notwithstanding the phony rationalizations in France and, sadly, Quebec as well.

The decision by the French parliament to proscribe the niqab/burqa from all public spaces, even streets and markets, goes farther than the Quebec law introduced in March.

The latter bans those wearing the niqab from working for, or receiving services from, government. It denies these taxpayers all schooling, including French language instruction, and non-emergency health care, including regular checkups. But it does not bar them from wearing their face covering.

Yet there’s nothing redeeming about either law, or those contemplated in Belgium and Spain. They are anchored in prejudice — and on shaky legal foundations.    »»» thestar.com (Canada)

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