Me, My Headscarf, and I

This article was sent by Saida Ounnisi.

I'm Muslim and French; it's not an oxymoron, even if people in Europe think that we have the same political system like Tunisia, which can forbid headscarf and mosques. By the way, I'm originally from Tunisia; I never live in a country in which a practicing Muslim is something allowed by the State. In France, we have a very complicated relationship with all what is about religion. It is something which is imitated to the private space. But what is a private space in a centralized country in which welfare-state is so important and invasive. In all areas of life, State is present. We have one of the most important national administrations in the world, and in all steps in your life. The State is watching you. The State built its power against the Church (and not using the Church). After two centuries of measures weakening Church but not just Church, even religious feeling and religious references in all areas of public space (euh... keep in mind that everything is public space in France, the only one place considered as private is your home, after closing the door). Continue reading "Me, My Headscarf, and I"...