As France imposes the first few fines for wearing niqab in public, many muslim women took to the streets to protests against such imposition. For such women, the niqab is a sign of their belief,their principles and to take that freedom to believe is by all means is a violation of human rights. But for a country that believes in freedom,equality and fraternity, it is facing an identity crisis. A country cannot define what belief or faith to follow, we choose that and pray that we are able to live in harmony with that faith. What is more important to France, security of the country or religious harmony?
If France prides over their three pillars of these social ideals, they must understand that by such an imposition they are calling on the ire of the thousands of people from different communities that France plays hosts to. What France and its European friends are doing are some thing that the Romans did ages ago, impose laws that targeted the freedom of specific communities, think Jesus Christ. Haven't they read enough history as yet, targeting a specific group or community as never brought humane results but only blood shed, think Hitler or the Gujarat riots.
We understand that terror has been on the upsurge and many have used the holy niqab as a tool to do their bloody deeds. That being said, I have to mention that there has been many terrorist groups that have been using Islam as their Holy Grail of so called crusade. No religion spills blood, only humans interpretation do that. My religion, Islam, never spoke of taking another man's life, only He has the power to that. And this has been the believe of many others and hopes of many other that the World understand this. But there are those who are desperate and confused where they take extreme steps by voicing their angst and frustration through blood. Many called them terrorists, some called them jihadis, but I called them lost.
They are lost souls who are not able to live in peace with God and his other creations. So they take Islam as their sole agenda, not knowing that they are hurting their own people more as we have to fend ourselves and our beliefs against the World due to their selfish thoughts and ideals. And this imposition is just tip of an ice berg. There will be more action done with unwanted reactions from the world, peacefully or in blood unless their is some consensus in belief, faith and governance.
France can't imply such ban without trying other measures. With the evolution and revolution of technology, there must be another way to tackle terrorist groups that uses niqab or religion as a reason to terrorize because in a way, they are terrorizing innocent people who wants to follow their faith with sincerity. Why should the people suffer both side, from their own people and the government? As a state that believes in Science, Religion and Social ideals, they must not bow down to the extremists without fighting, without discussing these issues with the community itself in much consensus manner. Because for many, religion is just part of their identity and not definition of themselves. Muslims are like any other people who feel, thinks and have sensible opinion. We are not barbaric as the Western World deemed us to be. We understand the security problems and most of us are ready to give assistance and help in issues that are sensitive to our community. We understand that by saying this we have to compromise some where but all we ask of the World and its governments is that we cannot compromise on our beliefs.
