Sarkozy makes surprise decision to seek full ban of Islamic veils

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday ordered legislation that would ban women from wearing Islamic veils that hide the face in the street and other public places.

In seeking to forbid the garment from public view, Sarkozy defied the advice of experts sought by the government who warned that such a broad ban risked contravening France’s constitution.

Such a measure would put France on the same track as Belgium, which is also moving toward a complete ban in a similar reaction to the intrusion of Islamic culture on native European values. Sarkozy has said that such clothing oppresses women and is “not welcome” in France.