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News Tip: France Headscarf Ban Threatens Freedoms for Other Religions

"Until now, these personal practices have usually been tolerated," says Katherine Ewing. "Muslims are asking for the same right to determine their own personal practices."

France's effort to ban Muslim headscarves in state schools threatens the religious freedom of Jews, Sikhs and Christians in that country as well, said a Duke University cultural anthropologist.

The French National Assembly this week overwhelmingly approved draft legislation on its first reading. It will go to the Senate next month.

 

"In the case of Christian or Jews, governments are careful not to take on the role of religious authority. They allow various sects and communities to assert their own religious rules and principles when it comes to personal practice," said Katherine Ewing, an associate professor of cultural anthropology.

 

"Until now, these personal practices have usually been tolerated," she said. "Muslims are asking for the same right to determine their own personal practices."

 

Ewing has done field research among Muslims in Europe. She has taught courses on political and personal identity among ethnic minorities and immigrants in Europe and in 2000 wrote an article titled, "Legislating Religious Freedom: Muslim Challenges to the Relationship Between 'Church' and 'State' in Germany and France."

 

"Religious freedom and the separation of church and state are not necessarily the same thing," Ewing said. "France emphasizes the principle of separation which, at moments of controversy such as this, is enforced at the expense of religious freedom."

 

Ewing can be reached for additional comment by email at kewing@duke.edu or by phone at (919) 684-5170.

 

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