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Kenza Drider was one of the first to be arrested for appearing in public in a traditional Muslim robe that covers everything but her eyes and hands – and she’s running for president of France.
The a mother of four wears a niqab – which is only slightly different than a burqa. Both are Islamic full-body veils — and wearing them is now illegal in French public places. Drider says she has worn hers for more than a decade and will keep it on as she challenges French President Nicolas Sarkozy as an independent candidate in next year’s general election.
Her candidacy is being ”bankrolled by a number of influential pro-Islam support groups and influential millionaires,” notes Peter Allen writing in the British newspaper the Daily Mail. “They include Rachid Nekkaz, a tycoon property developer.”
Nekkaz paid the fines for two other women arrested after they defied France’s new ban. Hind Amas, 32, was fined 120 euros (about $160), while Najate Nait Ali, 36, was fined 80 euros (about $108). Nekkaz told the press that he would help both women finance an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
Both were arrested outside the town hall in the Paris suburb of Meaux on May 5 while carrying an almond cake as a gift celebrating the birthday of the local mayor, Jean-Francois Cope , writes Allen. Cope is also head of Sarkozy’s ruling UMP party and one of the architects of the ban.
Allen adds:
Almond sounds like “amende,” the French word for fine, and the women wanted to use the “joke” cake to highlight the absurdity of a law which they say has increased anti-Muslim feeling across France.
“That’s the reason I am standing for President,” said Drider, who comes from the southern city of Avignon, and who has worn the veil for the past 13 years.
The arrests are being watched closely across Europe. Belgium has also banned the veil in public places. Italy is considering reviving a 1975 law against face coverings. Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland are planning similar laws. In Belgium, defiance is punishable by a fine and a week in prison. French authorities say 91 women have been stopped for wearing burqas in public since the ban was introduced.
posted September 23, 2011 at 10:01 am
I suppose the masked lady willcry “Islamaphobia” if no non-Muslim votes for her.
posted September 26, 2011 at 12:22 pm
The way the world is today and with the Islamic terroist why not ban the wearing of this garment. She should be more considerate in understanding why they are banning this particular garment. Who knows the terrorist may use this to cover up themselves and not being able to be identifies in case of an attack on the French people. Another question is why isn’t she in her own country. Why is she living in France. It would be great is she was in her own country fighting the terrorist which are causing countries to ban the attire.
posted September 26, 2011 at 3:21 pm
WOW, THIS IS GREAT!! I PRAY ALL GOES WELL!!
posted September 26, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Go get um, Kenza!
posted September 28, 2011 at 8:44 am
hi, to me it is to extreme. It is saying to me that everyone has to dress like that and that is wrong. i would not want to wear that at all even in the house and i think that it is pushing the issue way to far. That is there way of life why push it on anyone else. And i do not blame France for outlawing it. To me she looks like a bank robber instead of a human being. it is ok to be that way in your own house but not out in public that is way to much. The whole world does not want to dress that way for fear of being stoned and that is what she shows to me a fear of men and her husband in general.
posted September 28, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Of liberally decadent Europe, will France be the first to fall to the sweep of totalitarian thought? Will the fetters of Islam break its fall? Or break its ankles?
posted September 29, 2011 at 5:21 am
It’s amazing how the Muslims are actually welcomed all over Europe; get jobs, get houses, get support, but they always have demands and they always whine and cry. They stand out not in good deeds, help or charity, but with their attempt to change society and force everyone to be like them! This woman refuses to wear western attire because she’s against western society, don’t you get it? Once the Muslims get themselves inside the government – that’s it! The Europeans will be out, killed like flies, and the Muslims will be in, control the country and force their undemocratic regime. Wake up!. You’ve been cheated and controlled for years and years by those Muslims, who by the way – have about 70 countries of their own but want more and more.