Merkel's Call For Partial Ban On Burqa Sparks Debate On Secular Statehood, Immigrant Protection, And The True Meaning Of The Facial Veil

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's endorsement of her party's call for a partial ban on the burqa, the facial veil worn by Muslim women, has unsurprisingly triggered a storm of reactions from supporters and opponents alike. The Christian Democratic Union is also setting the stage for a full facial ban of the veil on selected areas deemed critical to public safety, such as universities, schools, city streets with heavy traffic, and law courts.

Debaters from both sides argue that the resolution of this matter will strike close to the heart of the principles that Germany has long valued: respect of minorities, the preservation of the diversity of culture, and the safeguarding of secular, civil liberties. At the same time, the well-being of the people against any act of extremist terrorism must also be safeguarded.

Many perceived Merkel's position as caving into her administration's decision to let more than 800,000 refugees into Germany with the taxpayers shouldering the burden of cost.

The Economist has criticized Merkel's statements to her party delegates last December 6 as contradictory. Her calls to ban the full veil on the grounds that they are against European traditions steeped in "sexual equality" and "religious tolerance" apparently infringe on the rights of the Muslim ladies this latest move is supposed to protect. A full ban would stop these women from exercising their religious rights. It might also curtail their basic freedoms, such as the simple act of stepping outside the home to go to another place. The Economist advises Merkel to take a less extremist approach, but one more conducive to integration.

Interestingly, Qanta Ahmed, a devout Muslim woman, takes a position in favor of ban precisely because it will liberate herself and her sisters from repressive cultural mores that do not truly align with Islam. In her Tribune article, Ahmed says that the veil ban will strengthen civil liberties and remove the restrictions on dress, mobility, and visibility that generations of a patriarchal tradition have placed on womankind. The "secular liberal democracy" that Merkel champions will create a safe haven for a more pluralistic form of Islam to flourish.

The debates have just begun, and expect more interesting arguments from various parties. In the meantime, Merkel and her party will find that they face a herculean task in submitting the ban on full facial veil this week.