Madam, - I read with growing horror the story "Chirac to ban Muslim headscarves in schools" (December 18th). This ban is to be introduced by the President of the French Republic to "prevent sectarianism".
The article further states that Chirac is to try to extend the ban to the workplace as well. Where next, public parks? In order to give this discriminatory measure a multicultural slant, Jewish skullcaps are also to be banned.
For some strange reason large crosses are also to be banned. Why not all crosses?
Why not go further and ban all public expressions of religion? What about Sikh turbans, Buddhist robes, Christian clerical dress? Perhaps even religious assembly itself. Can anyone else hear the sound of breaking glass? - Yours etc.,
CONOR BUCKLEY, Celbridge, Co Kildare.
**********
Madam, - The move by President Chirac to ask parliament to pass a law banning Islamic headscarves and other religious insignia in public places shows that a secular state cannot tolerate a minority group in France where Muslim women are following their religion by covering their heads.
Of course the law is mainly intended to affect Muslim women. We are in the 21st century and France, who supposedly gave us liberty, equality and fraternity, are preventing a minority group (5 per cent of the population of France) from practising its religion. I think France needs to tolerate and accept the culture of Muslims, Jews and Christians.
This move discriminates against France's Muslim population as it is obligatory for Muslim women to wear headscarves. - Yours etc.,
Dr IBRAHIM ELSHERIF, Dublin 16.