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Burqa banned in Paris
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From the Times of India/May 12, 2010.
Now, Paris fears losing clientele to burqa ban
The Avenue Montaigne in Paris is a magnet for wealthy shoppers. This summer, though, the Saudi princesses often to be seen browsing in black robes among the Chanel handbags and La Perla lingerie may stay at home — or shop elsewhere.
Under a proposed French law banning women from wearing the burqa in public, they could be fined. Their husbands, often potentates in their home countries, could end up in jail. “A lot of our customers come from the Gulf, especially Qatar,” said a public relations officer at the exclusive Hotel Plaza Athenee, a stone’s throw from Chanel. “There is some concern about this law.”
The law is expected to be approved by parliament this week and to come into effect by September, when women offenders could be liable to a £130 penalty and be invited to attend “citizenship classes”. Men found guilty of forcing women to wear burqas could be jailed for a year and fined £13,000.
A similar ban will come into force later this year in Belgium. In Italy a woman was fined £430 for wearing a burqa last week under a 1975 terrorist law banning clothing that prevents a person from being identified in a public place. Her husband said that she would have to stay at home in future. A French Muslim woman was fined last month for wearing a burqa at the wheel of her car, which was deemed dangerous because it impaired her vision. Her lawyer lodged an appeal, claiming her human rights had been infringed.
Opinion was divided on the Avenue Montaigne about whether wealthy visitors from the Gulf should be subject to the law. “They’re some of our best customers,” said a shop assistant in Chanel. “It’ll mean a drop in our sales.”
In Baby Dior, though, a sales girl said, “When we go to their countries we respect their laws and traditions. They will have to do the same here.” France estimates that only 2,000 out of an estimated 2m Muslim women in France wear the burqa and even fewer wear it in Belgium. In both countries, however, opposition to the garment has grown across the political divide in defence of liberal values. If shopping becomes more difficult for wealthy burqa-wearing visitors to Paris, London may reap the benefits. “London will certainly look more appealing,” said Sarah Peters, a retail analyst with Verdict Research. “Luxury retailers will benefit most, especially the big department stores.” SUNDAY TIMES, LONDON
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