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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    France's Burqa Ban Begins Today

    The French law that went into effect today does not use the words "women," "Muslim" or "veil," but says that it's illegal to hide the face in a public place. It was pushed hard by President Nicolas Sarkozy, even though only a small minority of the country's five million Muslim women actually wear the burqa.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    The French law that went into effect today does not use the words "women," "Muslim" or "veil," but says that it's illegal to hide the face in a public place. It was pushed hard by President Nicolas Sarkozy, even though only a small minority of the country's five million Muslim women actually wear the burqa. When Parliament passed it, there was widespread public support. Today, there was a protest outside the Notre Dame cathedral. Sophie Pedder is Paris Bureau Chief for the Economist magazine.

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    The Winners and Losers in the Budget Deal
    1. 0:00Ivory Coast Strongman Gbagbo Arrested after French Forces Intervene
    2. 7:45The Shutdown Showdown
    3. 44:19France's Burqa Ban Begins TodayYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sophie Pedder

      The Economist

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    The Winners and Losers in the Budget Deal
    1. 0:00Ivory Coast Strongman Gbagbo Arrested after French Forces Intervene
    2. 7:45The Shutdown Showdown
    3. 44:19France's Burqa Ban Begins TodayYou’re reading this
    Back to To the Point