The clothing is symbolic of the subjugation of women in Islamic culture. We don't need that! It is inconsistent with our values. I agree with Sarcosy. Keep the burkas where they belong.

We (apart from some ousted Republican administrations with a bad grasp of acquiring intelligence) don't make people wear bags over their heads. Again, this is about cultural choices. AlQaeda's and the Taliban's take their people back into the tribal world of the 7th century. Ours at least support the realization of the potential of all the world's people, not just 50%. AQ's vision of Islam is really a reactionary response to modernity; it seeks to make people feel safe by reaffirming the known, celebrating the traditional, and providing structure and constraint. In so doing, it implies that its people are simpletons not capable of more. That is a disrespecting and underestimation of the Muslim world. At some point humans become capable of more than tribal social structures oriented to no more than subsistence survival. Muslim reactionaries prevent their people from making this step.

If you do not like our traditions here in Europe, then go back to your own country. If we visit your country, we conform to your guidelines ( do we order roast pork in a Moslem country ? ) For those of us who do not want to conform to your guidelines, then we do not visit your countries....so why not do the same ? Afterall, "when in Rome, do as the Romans"

It's simple – adapt or remain home.

Europe is not a desert with intense heat and sand storm, so a burqa is unnecessary. Most men in this world don't go beserk when they see a hand, an ear, an eye, a toe, or a strand of hair. Most humans know what is right and wrong, and they are brought up that rape and cruelty to another is wrong.

Should shops be closed because it might tempt thieves?

Studying in London, my countrymen go around threatening other Muslim countrymen if they don't cover themselves. Their parents back home are threatened by phone to rein in their daughters. If burqa is allowed, women will be forced by their family and surroundings to wear it. Just like the Al Queda message, if the women refused, the same threat will be made to their lives and there is no one to protect them.

One thing that astounds me but which governments of civilized western countries overlook for self interest is that without exception, in every western country where large immigrant islamic people live, the majority hate what western civilization stands for and yet....they risk death to live in the west with perilous voyages etc to get there. If the western christian based countries are so bad and their islamic brotherly countries so good, why do they keep on seeking refuge in the west? Surely they would be 'welcomed' with open arms in the wealthy oil gulf countries. Am i missing something here?

It's really unfair for rules that don't necessarily do any good to be imposed on people. The victims are these Muslim women in France. I think the (most) important question to be asked (and directed to the women) is if they want to keep wearing the burka or not. France being an independent modern democratic nation should be able to respect the rights of the women who chose to keep wearing it and empower those who do not want to. It is all these impositions, threats, and vengeance-taking that make people perceive Islam as an otherwise terrifying and violent religion. Let's all pray that this situation doesn't lead to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of property.

Essentially the burka is not western style dress.

I think that if one emigrates/flees to a western country then one should follow western codes.

The burka 'evangelizes' the islamic religion and europe tends to be either secular or catholic.

if they wanted to keep their burka, shey should have stayed in their countries

One of the posters asked a very interesting question: "If the western christian based countries are so bad and their islamic brotherly countries so good, why do they keep on seeking refuge in the west? Surely they would be ‘welcomed’ with open arms in the wealthy oil gulf countries. Am i missing something here? The answer is that Muslims are trying to convert Europe and America to Islam, and if they cannot convert the local population, then they intend to do that by having a large number of children so that one day they can be the dominant ethnic group in those countries...that's why they live in countries like France. They hate what those countries stand for, but they are being patient long enough to see their culture, race and religion the most socially powerful, not to mention the only one in those countries.

I'm not religious and for me "burka" is just an instrument to humiliate other person/to achieve kind of sexual satisfaction over partner control. Thats sick.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Personally, I would refuse to wear a Burka, even were I Muslim. However, I would want to be able to have the option to choose whether I would wear it or not. Freedom of choice here could be at stake, so although I despite the ideology behind the Burka and the subjugation of women, but think the individual ought to be given the right to choose.

CNN is a disgrace to journalism. Your coverage on news is biased. Furthermore,has CNN become an entertainment channel because your news reporters dress as though they are on vacation. Very unprofessional,truly a disgrace. Your reporting stinks,your uninformed desk anchors are hilarious. CNN is truly the channel that George Bush can comprehend.Check out Al Jazeera if you want to get some tips on class in journalism

Islamists need to be logical.It is as simple as someone said above and also in World Debate in BBC,adapt or stay home.

In Canada it's againt the law to walk into a bank wearing a mask.
If Muslim women are allowed to cover their face when entering a bank then everyone should be allowed.
It would be up to the bank(s) to figure out which ones are the crooks.
That will open a can of worms.

I agree with some other posters – the important question to ask is, "Do these women WANT to continue wearing the burqas?" As a symbol of inferiority and oppression, I would think not. However, these Muslim women may be accustomed to this style of dress and cultural expression, thus, they may wish to continue wearing the burqas even when they are living in countries which do not REQUIRE it. I am not a proponent for banning any type of clothing or style of dress or cultural expression. However, I also feel that these women are afraid to rise up and express the desire to abolish the burqa – fear of retaliation from their fellow Muslim extremists prevent the true expression of these women's desires. It is ironic; the very thing they wish to rid themselves of [the burqa, as a symbol of oppression and inequality] deprives them the power and will to do so for fear of what will come with such a movement.

(1) there is God and there is approach to God. What we wear in our approach is irrelevant
(2) if Al Qaeda wants to treat the rest of the world like they treat their women, it is their choice, not our fault.

I have no great love for the French. I don't even like French's Mustard (made in the USA). However, President Zarkosy has just earned my respect. Besides, his wife is absolutely beautiful!

You all seem to miss the major point here. The major point being – Worldwide Sharia Law. The goal of radical Islam is to spread Sharia across the Globe. It follows then, that they will not further their cause by staying home and not spreading their influence to non-Muslim countries. They come to non-Muslim countries and breed and demand equal rights for their religion. They come to wear burkas and to force others to do the same, in order not to offend the Prophet. If instead of Sarkozy France had a more liberal leader, you would start seeing French women starting to wear burkas on the streets of their own cities, just to be safe. Muslims demand rights for themselves and respect for their religion which they, in turn, deny to anyone else. If Europe does not draw a line and does not take a stand out of fear to offend the All Merciful , then, Allah Willing, before you know it – Europe will be Muslim. Elected officials will be either Muslim or depended on Muslim votes for majority to win their races. Go Sarkozy! Be strong! Defend the freedom and modern social values from the thugs from the middle ages...

Maybe if all those nasty women anchors on CNN wore burkahs, they would be better journalists. Better yet, keep them home so they won't threaten their families' honor by appearing in public, nevermind appearing on television in front of millions of men while wearing immodest clothing. Protect us from their softness and all that. That's the ticket.

Burkahs are a tool for primitive societies to maintain social order by avoiding the complexities that arise when people exercise their inherent right to sexual freedom, and to control breeding stock, and thereby child raising, and thus improve the group's survival chances. Some societies do not need these primitive mechanisms of coercion because they've discovered that the benefits they provide are far outweighed by the advantages of allowing the individual to behave freely based on their inherent rights, where the mutual recognition of inherent rights means that in exercising one's own rights one does not violate those of others. Choose now.

The "Burka Babes of Bagdad" need to have freedom of choice, that is when they are in a free country, not when they are enslaved by these religious wacko's that want them to be covered from head to toe in "BLACK" of all colors. Dark colors attract heat–you are in a dessert climate--that is very sunny and hot-hello is anyone home??

I find it sad that crashing airplanes and setting off of bombs to kill innocents is what comes to mind when the non-Muslim world sees a burka-clad sister.

In this way have the actions of al Qaida done service to their people.

First let me make this clear...The burka is not a religious symbol. It is subservience to a religion. Just as when I was growing up; women in a catholc church had to have something on their heads, however men had to doff theirs. If you are foolish enough to follow these man made subservient so called religious rules then you in my opinion have no mind of your own! Religions are a man made order to try and keep you under their control. This is much like government rhetoric. If these institutions are suppose to be for the people; Why is it that they fail to listen to the majority.

When you say that comments are moderated by CNN, what you are saying is that comments made that are not what you want to hear; you delete. I know this next statement will not make the air. Why are you not telling both sides of the Israeli conflict with Palestine? For example: Why is it that Israel has not followede any of the UN resolutions since 1948, and why is it that the us and other western couhtries have not made them adhere to those resolutions. tell both sides of a story or get off the air. We the people of the world want the story from both sides. Not just the one sided bull that we get.

It's disingenous of President Sarkozy to suggest that forbidding women to burkas can be in any shape or form, an extension of their "freedom and dignity." Limitations on choices can only take away freedom.

Instead, France should champion muslim women's freedom and dignity by prosecuting those in their country who would seek to harm those women who would choose to not wear burkas.

Stop giving the Islamic KKK Propaganda Machine more fuel. Prohibition is not the solution.

California, USA

I totally agree with President Nicolas Sarkozy’s. most of the democracy country are symbolic of FREEDOM. not symbolic of culture or tradition.
we must preserve our FREEDOM and our ppl safety. on the other hand we dun mean we do not respect muslin world.

The question to ban the burka is a blatant attack on hard-line islamists in France, it is creating a mountain out of a molehill and only reinforces the prejudices that many French already have about the muslim community. For a country that stands for freedom, France seems ready to take away the freedoms of Muslim women. As for secularism, France remains undeniably Catholic. There are Catholic holidays here that I had never even heard of in my home country of Canada. I understand that France feels they will help to liberate Muslim women from a controlling community, however a creating a law is surely not the best way to do it. A women does not have to be Muslim to be abused, and there are already many organisations who are willing to help women leave abusive relationships. Information and encouragement is what these women need, not condemnation. But I believe wearing the burka is a choice these women must have. I can even understand and envy it at times, as a modern, white woman, I am often subject to perverse remarks and advances by French men while walking in the street. Perhaps a cloak over my entire body would help me feel safer, and at least I know I have that choice.

Dear Paula,

Surely you mean Danish cartoon controversy.

Any good muslim woman who doesn't use the burka or even the veil can tell you there is nothing islamic about those items. Unfortunately, when Europeans "reach out to muslims" they only speak to the lunatic fringe that doesn't represent Muslims worldwide. You will see less veils in Morocco or Turkey than in Britain or Germany. And certainly no burkas!

Sorry but in my Country "I" nor any other Canadian man is unlikely to walk around with a mask covering our face, I would expect that this custom has a far more sinister motive, bank robbers of old used to cover their face, the terrorist covers his face, people commiting crimes in general everywhere cover their faces.
The idea has seen its day world over and it should not be difficult for even the most staunch Islamic sympathisers to understand.
Devised I'm sure before the middle ages and used by people for unscruplous reasons, I advise you that the burka must be dropped or the burka will drop you. I say " Mr Sarkozy you have my deepest admiration for your stand!"

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Why forbid burkas and let men walk around in tight leather pants and pink shirts. At least you know whos a woman and who is a man. If you want freedom, let people wear what they want.

Muslims come to Europe to seek a better life. That better life is based on Christian values, Christian ethics and culture and a rule of law based on Christian beliefs and customs. They cannot come to a Western society to undermine it by demanding a completely different set of values for themselves and at the same time enjoy the material benefits the society offers at the cost of threatening its pillars. I have all praise for President Sarkozy for having the moral courage to set the record straight. If only other Western leaders could follow him.

As soon as they learn to accept people like me, maybe we can start thinking about letting a walking trashbin into our country.

To all the idiots that do not understand.Q:why do women wear burka?A:like a man that has alot of money in his house he will make sure that he will keep it safe in a very secure place so that no body can attempt anything to his wealth,in the same way the muslim women wear the burka so that her beauty can only be for her husband.if her beauty is open to any one like most of the western women,then how do you'rll want all the rape and evry other headlines to stop?the more it is open the more perverted.dont you'rll your mothers n sister to be safe from that?

I'm French and I would like to say that no one can dictate what we have to do, how, and when in our country, because it's our decision. religion can't tel anything to us, catholic, muslim, jewish etc... If they want to menace us this is not a problem, we are ready

in our culture it is considered devious to cover your face....you can cover up as much of the rest of your body as you want, however you should *not* be allowed to hide your face in public places.....especially in shops or banks....you are not allowed to wear a motorcycle helmet in a bank or garage so why should these women be allowed to cover up in such a way.......they can wear whatever they want at home, in which case they should just stay indoors.....it is a question of personal freedoms, either they accept the culture in which they *choose* to live or they are *free* to live elsewhere!

burkas are symbols of repression. of the unstated declaration that women are evil and need to be covered to keep men from sinning.

the prison that conservative islam seeks to imprison women inside should be stricken from the face of the earth. no one person causes anyone else to sin. no one is better than another. maybe when people can fully realize this we can be freed from petty dictators and societies that need burkas to complement their existence

Pestering a nation just because of a clashing idea on simple piece of clothing is totally insane. Our Muslim brothers/sisters should understand that France has the right to do that for the simple reason that it is our country and we have our own rules and culture.

Like the way we respect them in their respective countries during the Ramadan wherein they forbid people to eat and drink at certain times.

As the old cliche goes, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do". Same goes in any other country.

The main problems are two idealogies that clash. Both have centuries of standing in human societies & have fought battles to preserve that way & religion survival & acceptance.

So now the world is conquered by christianity & it's tentacles reaching many people of far distant places, the expansion of the Muslim traditions & laws are being spread worldwide.

There's a problem that the extreme versions of muslim (Sharia way) is dangerous to all non-believers & believers in a religion. It will de-stabilise the believeRS in their religion & force non-believers into something that will cause anarchy.

This is why Sharia law & it's extremist views & actions, must be challenged & shown that, it's rights are not fair & not up to most of the world's internationally understood rights all, humans should have .

The danger is a religious war & community breakdowns similar to the Catholic & Protestant issue in Northern Ireland. The two factions are better off living apart ...

So should Sharia & Christianity stay apart!