2004: Hijab and Secularism Public Lecture - Institute for Public History
Responses to the French Law Banning Headscarves
An evening forum exploring 'The Hijab and Secularism: Responses to the French law banning the headscarf' was held at the State Library of Victoria on 19 May 2004. Eighty-eight people attended the lively discussion that considered some of the complexities of the new law banning the headscarf in French schools. A large number of the audience were covered Muslim women and there was a wonderful turn up of and support by Monash staff members and students.
The panelists included: Dr Karen Green feminist philosopher, Monash University; Ms Jacqueline Lesage French journalist, Monash University; Ms Aynur Simsirel Vice-Principal of Ilim College; Professor Charles Sowerwine historian, University of Melbourne; Ms Meryem Apak barrister, and Ms Joumanah El Matrah Manager, Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria. The moderator for the event was Radio National presenter Margaret Coffey, who makes programs for the Encounter series.
Although the intention was to broadcast an edited version of this discussion on ABC Radio National's Encounters' program, disappointingly, for a range of reasons, this did not happen. Instead a program recorded in France, Encounter: Banning the Veil: The French Option, was aired on Radio National on August 22.
While the law provoked considerable debate worldwide when it was passed in March 2004, there appeared to be widespread compliance with the law when it came into effect at the beginning of the new school year on the 2 September 2004. Nevertheless, the ruling has been among the most divisive issues in France in recent times. Some thoughts on the topic are raised in the following article sent to the IPH by a member of the audience at the Hijab and Secularism evening, Madeleine Laming, a lecturer from the Australian Catholic University:
Read Madeline Laming's response to the Hijab and Secularism evening