Description
Book SynopsisSince the early 2010s, an increasing number of European countries have passed laws that prohibit the wearing of various kinds of Islamic veil in particular circumstances. This insightful book considers the arguments used to justify such laws and analyses the legitimacy of these arguments both generally and in regards to whether such laws can be seen as justified interferences with the rights of women who wish to wear such garments.
This timely book considers the most recently passed European laws that target Islamic veiling. The author situates the justifications for anti-veiling laws in the context of a careful analysis of the reasons why women wear veils, and considers these justifications by reference to emerging debates surrounding the relative value of liberalism and human rights, multiculturalism, and the need to protect 'traditional values'. The book concludes that these laws are best viewed as symbolic strikes at a recognizable symbol of an ideological opponent, theorising that their principal purpose is to enable particular countries to reaffirm traditional values in a context of increased domestic opposition to multiculturalism.
This engaging work will be valuable reading for students and scholars of human rights law, Islamic law and those interested specifically in the laws and regulations surrounding Islamic veiling around the world.
Trade Review'Though people may agree or disagree with his conclusions, anyone interested in the difficult and controversial topic of the restrictions on face-veiling in Europe will benefit from reading the interesting, well-researched and elegantly-argued book Neville Cox has written.' --Ronan McCrea, University College London, UK
Table of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction 2. Rationales for Veiling and the Meaning of the Veil 3. Veiling and Rights 4. Terrorism, National Security and the Islamic Veil 5. Women’s Rights, Equality and the Islamic Veil 6. Veiling and Societal Values 7. Veiling and the Rights of Others 8. Symbolic Statements, Clashing Values and European Anti-Veiling Laws Index
