TORONTO, February 6, 2004 – The French government introduced a bill this week that would ban religious symbols in public schools. The bill, backed by President Jacques Chirac, would forbid large Christian crucifixes, Jewish skullcaps (Kippots) and Sikh turbans. But the measure is aimed mainly at head scarves worn by some Muslim girls.

 

Harvey Simmons, a York University professor emeritus of political science specializing in West European politics, particularly French politics, can offer informed commentary over the debate between maintaining France’s secular character and the ensuring religious freedom of its citizens.

 

Haideh Moghissi, professor of sociology has published widely on religion, gender and politics in the Middle East and women in Islam. She is currently directing a SSHRC-funded Major Collaborative Research Initiative on Diaspora, Islam and Gender: a Comparative Study of Four Displaced Communities from Islamic Cultures.

 

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Ken Turriff Media Relations York University 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 kturriff@yorku.ca

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