IRAQ: SHI'ITE CLERIC DELIVERS LETTER OF PROTEST AGAINST SCHOOL HEADSCARVE BAN IN FRANCE.

Record ID: 646812

  • Title: IRAQ: SHI'ITE CLERIC DELIVERS LETTER OF PROTEST AGAINST SCHOOL HEADSCARVE BAN IN FRANCE.
  • Date: 4th January 2004
  • Summary: (W4) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JANUARY 4, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. GV/CU: CAR ARRIVING OF THE TOP SHI'ITE CLERIC MUHAMMED SA'EED AL-HAKIM ARRIVING AT THE FRENCH EMBASSY; SCU SIGN READING THE ROMANIAN EMBASSY, FRANCE INTERESTS SECTION (2 SHOTS) 0.14 2. MV/GV/PAN: HIGH BLAST WALL SURROUNDING THE FRENCH EMBASSY; JOURNALISTS STANDING OUTSIDE THE EMBASSY (3 SHOTS) 0.34 3. GV: SHI'ITE CLERIC MUHAMMED SA'EED AL-HAKIM LEAVING THE EMBASSY WITH BODYGUARDS 0.39 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) Al-HAKIM, SAYING "Headscarves are not only a symbol. In addition of being a symbol it is a religious duty and decision to ban headscarves contradicts the freedom of belief." 0.59 5. MV/GV: JOURNALISTS OUTSIDE THE EMBASSY; HAKIM'S CAR DRIVING AWAY (3 SHOTS) 1.14 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 19th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA1I8Q36QVFW6ENI24JMAEHEGNN
  • Story Text: An Iraqi Shi'ite cleric has delivered a letter to
    the French embassy in Baghdad in protest of Chirac's ban on
    headscarves in schools.



    Top Shi'ite cleric Muhammed Sa'eed al-Hakim visited
    the French embassy office in Baghdad on Sunday (January 4)
    to deliver a letter.

    A press release issued by Al-Hakim's office said the
    letter expressed Hakim's concern over the French decision
    to ban headscarves, which contradicts with the slogan of
    democracy and individual freedom adopted by the French
    government.

    The release said Hakim's emphasised that freedom in
    practising religious believes are one of the main means to
    combat violence and terrorism.

    "Headscarves are not only a symbol. In addition of
    being a symbol it is a religious duty and decision to ban
    headscarves contradicts the freedom of belief," Hakim told
    journalists in front of the Romanian Embassy, which houses
    France Interests Section.

    Shi'ite firebrand Muqtada al-Sadr had called for
    boycotting the French goods as a reaction to the French
    decision and called upon religious authorities the
    worldwide to condemn the French decision.

    French President Jacques Chirac supported a French
    government commission on December 17 to ban the wearing of
    headscarves in schools. Jewish skull-caps and large
    Christian crosses would be affected, as well as headscarves
    worn by Muslim girls.

    The French have been debating this issue for two
    decades, but it has intensified in the past couple of years
    with dozens of girls expelled from school for refusing to
    remove their head covering.

    Chirac said he would sponsor legislation to make the
    ban law by next autumn.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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