A retired teacher is facing three years in prison for ripping off a Muslim’s face veil in the world’s first known case of ‘burka rage’.
The 63-year-old woman, so far only referred to by her first name Marlene, appeared before the Paris Correctional Court to defend her attack on Shaika, 26, who originally comes from the United Arab Emirates.
The happened in February when both women were out shopping in an upmarket suburb of the French capital, with Marlene claiming: ‘For me the wearing of the veil is an aggressive act, there is no burka in my country.’
The case comes at an extremely sensitive time as France has just banned the burka and the niqab following an impassioned public debate more than two years.
Marlene, who is accused of aggravated violence, is said to have ‘lost control’ when she saw Shaika choosing furniture in a department store.
‘I knew I would crack one day,’ said Marlene. ‘This whole saga of the burka was really getting to me.’
Speaking in English to her victim, Marlene, who has taught in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, said: ‘I told her to take off the veil she had on her face. I grabbed and pulled it.
‘To me wearing a full veil is an attack on being a woman. As a woman, I felt attacked.’
A few minutes later Marlene is said to have started hitting Shaika, who refused to take her veil off.
‘I went over to her and tore her veil,’ said Marlene in a police report. ‘We came to blows. I was very upset.’
After allegedly slapping Shaika, Marlene bit her hand before successfully removing the veil, shouting: ‘Now I can see your face.’
Security guards had to separate the women, with one describing the fight as being motivated by ‘pure burka rage’.
Shaika suffered cuts and bruises and had to take two days off work. She was so upset that she has now left France and returned to the Emirates, and will not attend today’s court case.
Marlene’s defence for the attack was that ‘we do not wear the burka in my country’ but in fact no ban was in place in February.
Even if it was, it would not be up to people to make citizen’s arrests, said a legal source involved in the case.
Marlene said: ‘I’ve taught in countries like Morocco and Saudi Arabia and know how these women walk three paces behind their husbands.
‘When I saw a burka in a Paris shop I thought it was very provocative. I did not hit or use any violence against this woman. I just wanted to pull her burqa off. I know I shouldn’t have got angry, but I lost it.’
Lotfi Ouled Ben Hafsia, for Shaika, said his client had been living in Paris for three years, but would never return because of the ‘racist attack’.
It is now a criminal offence to wear a burka in France, with woman facing fines and even a prison sentence when the law is enforced in six months time.
The case continues.
“Lotfi Ouled Ben Hafsia, for Shaika, said his client had been living in Paris for three years, but would never return because of the ‘racist attack’.”
If the Arab regimes also act likewise, by withdrawing all the financial assets and investments from these Western Capitails – the likes of Sarkozy and their brand of draconian anti-Muslim / anti-Islam laws would immediately be consigned to the dustbin of history. The Capitalists states can ONLY be taught real, enduring lessons with what hurts them the most; i.e., FINANCIALLY.
Just look to the recent announcements by these Middle Eastern regimes to overhaul their Military capabilities by placing multi-billion dollar orders with Britain and America, with smaller (but sizeable) orders going to France. Where would their so-called economic recoveries be, if these orders were suspended indefinitely – or until such time as ALL the Muslim citizens were allowed to live in adherence of their belief – something which is an unwritten “constitutional” guarantee for non-Muslims?
But we know this can never happen – for as long as the KHILAFAH is absent from the World stage. However, the present (Kufr) state of affairs is about to change soon, InshAllah.
This is the Promise of Allah (swt) to those who Believe and work righteous good deeds.
.
Jews and Muslims are considered to be a religious minority in Western societies yet there appears to be one set of laws for one religious community and another set for another religious community.
There is freedom of expression for Westerners to insult our beloved prophet (Saw) and attach the face veil and head scarf. There is no freedom of expression in some Western countries for Muslim women to wear the face veil.
Jews can wear whatever religious cultural attire they want and practice their religion freely without fear of persecution or ridicule. However, condemnation of Israel’s actions against the Palestinians is considered to be anti-Semitic.
Therefore, freedom cannot guarantee anyone’s rights because people are free to move the goal post of legislation to whatever suits their whims and desires. Democracy (majority/mob rule) can only favour the interests of the majority even at the expense of the minority. Freedom and democracy are false creeds (batil) and we can see the moral and ethical inconsistency in these values systems.
It is only the divine moral and ethical consistency of Allah (swt)’s law that can secure justice, fairness and equality for both men and women of all races and religious denominations. Only Islam can secure the rights of all people because unlike the man made philosophies of freedom and democracy Islam is never subject to the whims and desires of the majority of a people.