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Issue Page: Proposed Ban on Article
of Faith in French Schools
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What is happening?
On December 11, 2003, a commission appointed by the
government of France, issued a report recommending
that all “conspicuous articles of faith”
in French public schools be banned.
The report’s specifically calls for banning large
Christian crosses, Jewish skullcaps and the Muslim
hijab. The ban would likely include Sikh turbans.The
authors of the report did not interview any French
Sikhs before recommending the ban.
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Bernard Stasi (left)
and President
Jaques Chirac release report |
| French President, Jaques Chirac,
has endorsed a ban saying, “The Islamic veil --
whatever name we give it -- the kippa and a cross that
is of plainly excessive dimensions: these have no place
in the precincts of state schools.” The ban would
effectively ban French Sikh children from being educated
in French public schools. |
Latest News
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Feb 12 - House Resolution 528 Introduced - Find out
what you can do !
The French law banning Articles of Faith
in schools has passed. Its even more important than
ever we gain documented support from other countries,
non government agencies and international bodies against
this legislation. Please follow the link above and
let your representative know how you feel about the
issue and ask them to support House Resolution 528.
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Representatives of the Sikh
Coalition spent last week walking the halls of Congress
gathering the signatures of over 45 Congressmen expressing
concern to the French government over their proposed
ban.
[More Details]
The Sikh Coalition received over a hundred emails
and calls from instant volunteers and organizations
that called their representatives to support this
initiative. Thank you for all of your hard work. Together
we can make a difference!
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What Can You Do?
More Materials
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French Government Links
Efforts of Other Organizations
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Editorials
/ News Articles
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World War I - Sikh Contributions
to France
Thousands of Sikh soldiers died defending France
during World War I. They wore the same turbans on
the battlefield that their ancestors are being asked
to remove in French schools.
Read More on Sikhs
Sacrifice For France During World War I
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French woman gives flower to marching
Sikh soldier during World War I
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