Free Republic

Rye Playland was shut down Tuesday after cops scuffled with Muslims upset that women wearing head scarves were barred from the rides, witnesses said. Fifteen people, including three women, were charged with disorderly conduct and assault in the chaos, authorities said. The Westchester County park was packed with Muslims celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr - the holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. One woman, Entisai Ali, began arguing with cops over the amusement park's head scarf, or hijab, rule, said Dena Meawad, 18, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The ban, which is not Muslim specific, was imposed about 3...

PARIS - Thousands of people marched in Paris and other cities in Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the United States Saturday to protest against France's decision to ban Muslim head scarves in schools. In Paris, women marched in the middle of the procession, surrounded by men. Most wore head scarves, chanting "the veil is my choice" and "we've chosen the head scarf." "We live in a country which is supposed to defend human rights and to practise one's religion is a human right," said Betayeba Hayet, one of the marchers. The rally, drawing as many as 10,000 people in...

Comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Secularism gone mad Chirac's determination to ban Muslim headscarves from schools will cause years of confrontation Madeleine Bunting Thursday December 18, 2003 The Guardian A 13-year-old girl is an exemplary pupil in every way; she listens carefully to her teachers, does her homework and is a cheerful member of the class. But in one respect, according to President Jacques Chirac yesterday, her behaviour threatens nothing less than the social peace and national cohesion of the French nation - she insists on wearing a headscarf. All around her, pupils are wearing the kind of outlandish clothes and hairstyles one...