This case study takes place in France. An American couple, Marty and Patricia, went to visit her cousins, Jacques and Rochelle. As they were visiting, the conversation became a little heated regarding the current debate in France of whether Arab girls should be allowed to wear their veils in school or not. Currently, veils are prohibited in all schools in France.
Jacques had made a comment to Patricia, stating the French are becoming more diverse like they are in the United States. Patricia understood; issues of cultural diversity in France could be a potential disaster in their conversation. Jacques disclosed that during the previous school year, there had been protests regarding Arab girls wearing veils. Patricia did not see wearing veils as an issue and continued with a soft approach towards her cousin. Her understanding was that the veils were worn for religious reasons, so why was this an issue? Jacques …show more content…
He stated, in the United States this is a form of freedom exercising religion. The courts say; no school could prohibit such religious attire, unless it provided a hazard to one’s welfare (149). Unfortunately, Jacques feels that Americans cannot “differentiate basic freedoms and radical individualism” (p. 149). Marty then followed with, Orthodox Jew males wearing their yarmulkes. They are permitted to wear them, so how is this any different then the Arab girls wearing the veil?
The dilemma in this case study pertains to whether an Arab girl wearing their veil is a religious practice or a political one. The French believe, by allowing them to wear their veils, they are not succumbing to French culture. They believe that the French culture will disappear and become extinct. The French are very proud of their heritage and what they have withstood during World War II. Jacques feels that it is not possible to have a unified community.
An Islamic