Marine Le Pen rejects to wear veil
Today Marine Le Pen, presidential candidate for France’s National Front party, canceled a meeting with Lebanon’s Grand Mufti after refusing to wear a headscarf.
“You can pass on my respects to the Grand Mufti, but I will not cover myself up,” Le Pen said to reporters, explaining the reason of the cancellation.
The press office for the Grand Mufti said that Le Pen’s aides had been informed beforehand of their requirement for wear headscarf. The request is a standard implications for women in Islam. The situation accured during Le Pen visit to Lebanon as a part of her presidential campaign in search support of the international players.
Recently the EU politicians came under fire for giving in to wear scarfs during encounters with the Islamic leaders. The Swedish governmental delegation adapted completely to the Muslim rituals during their recent visit to Teheran with covered heads, long burka-like dresses and no hand-shakes with women.
Previously the EU top diplomats, Federica Mogherini and Catherine Ashton also were wearing scarfs during negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme.
The issue of veil as a symbol of Muslim faith is attracting a lot of attention in a bigger debate on Islam incompatibility with democracy and Western values, namely gender equality.
