I am no expert on the matter, but like everyone else, I have been closely following the French “headscarf issue.” While I agree with Bazza Alzouman (“France asking for trouble,” pg. 6, Feb. 3), I believe he has missed the sheer magnitude of what is happening in France.

Is anyone else not surprised that this nation which at this time last year presented itself as some kind of champion of justice would now be enacting a law which is essentially apartheid in a new form? The law as it is now bans large crucifixes, headscarves, turbans, beards (religious ones), skull caps or any sort of prominent religious display in schools. Most people think this targets only Muslim girls. In reality, it targets any sort of minority group that does not conform to French culture. Not being able to wear a large crucifix probably will not hurt the average Christian. But for Sikhs who can’t cut their hair, not being able to have a beard or turban means not being able to practice their faith. Similarly, Muslim girls and Jews who wear headscarves or skull caps as part of their faith cannot do so.

France has one of the largest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe and has debated this issue for over a decade. This is not some knee-jerk reaction to an issue, but instead a cold calculated plan. What the French have done is devised a law that prevents large minority populations from going to school unless they give up their culture and faith.

Anurodh Pokharel

CAS ’04