France bans 5 million Muslims from wearing the burka with 246-1 vote

"France banned 5 million Muslims from wearing the burka last night in a final, decisive vote by the parliament.

Protest: Members of the French association 'Ni Putes, Ni soumises' walk toward the right political party UMP headquarters dressed with burka

Women who repeatedly offend will be sent to prison after lawmakers in the senate rubber-stamped an earlier vote by MPs.

In a nation of 5million Muslims, the full Islamic face veil is now officially ‘an insult to the country’s values’.

The 246-1 vote result means the controversial law is now in force, despite threats from al-Qaeda leaders to seek ‘dreadful revenge’ if it is ever enforced.

Following the vote, Muslim women now have a six months ‘grace period’ to adapt to the new rules without facing prosecution.

If they persist in wearing it after that time they will be fined £125 or ordered to attend citizenship classes. But some warned they will refuse to obey any law telling them how to dress, whatever the consequences.
Men who force their wives to wear the garb, viewed by some as a sign of fundamentalism, face a year in jail and a fine of up to £25,000.

France is now the second country in Europe after Belgium to outlaw Muslim head wear that hides the face.

The law will also apply to Muslim tourists – including the thousands of Middle Eastern visitors to the French capital every year.

French Muslim property tycoon Rachid Nekkaz has said he will set up a fund to help Muslim women pay ‘burka fines’."



I think this is awesome progress, what do you all think?