If we demand and expect others to respect our traditions and values we should be prepared to do the same.
ZURICH: This is with reference to Meera Ghani’s article of April 15 titled “The right to wear a burqa”. France is a country for the French and they have their own rich history, values, traditions — surely they have the right to pass a law in their own land as they see fit. These laws, in all likelihood, seek to preserve their traditions and I don’t understand why those who have left their own countries and settled in France would have a problem with such laws.
Also, if France were to criticise, say, a Pakistani law, we would all be loudly protesting that and demand that it stop its meddling in our internal affairs. But we see nothing wrong in doing the same with another country. If someone wants to wear a burqa then perhaps Saudi Arabia is a better choice for emigration — why migrate to France in the first place?
If we demand and expect others to respect our traditions and values we should be prepared to do the same.
Omer Khalid
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2011.
