Marie La Pan: ban wearing yarmulkes in French streets

Head of radical rightist party in France, Marie La Pan, called yesterday (Friday) to ban the wearing of yarmulkes and veils in public. In an interview to the La Monde newspaper, she said that one should ban the wearing of religious head coverings in shops, public transport or on the street.

When asked if the prohibition of head coverings should include yarmulkes as well, she said: "Obviously if the veil is prohibited, one should also ban the wearing of a yarmulke in public". In addition, she called again to ban public prayers, kosher or Hallal (Moslem requirement for allowed meat) food in schools.

French President Francois Holland, denounced her words and said: "Anything which splits and separates between people is not fitting, and we must apply the laws, the only laws we know – the laws of the republic and secularism".

Richard Prasquier, head of the Jewish Council of France, said that La Pan's declarations show that "there are secular radicals exactly like there are religious radicals. I oppose them both".

The wearing of a veil which covers the entire face, was banned in France about a year and a half ago, in a law which the previous president, Nicolas Sarcouzie initiated. According to the law, it is forbidden to be seen in public with one's face totally covered – among others by certain Moslem head coverings, such as "Burka" or "Nikav" – in order to enable the law authorities to identify a person.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!