The Illusion of Freedom

In July of this year, the mayor of Nice banned the “burkini” from the beaches and public swimming pools of his city. The burkini is a garment some Muslim women wear in an attempt to enjoy the beach and adhere to the Islamic dress code as they understand it. He said it was “the uniform of Islamist extremism.” While his decision was overturned by France’s high court, it struck a nerve in French society, with many – including both Prime Minister Manuel Valls, former President Sarkozy and the right wing Le Pen party – expressing support for the ban.