Why the French Don't Like Headscarves

"As Bowen rightly suggests in the closing section of his book (having dealt with recourse to legislation in the middle), underlying concerns about the development of separate communities (communautarisme), radical Islam and gender discrimination are concealed by the dispute over headscarves."--Malcolm Crook, Times Higher Education Supplement "[An] excellent book"--Richard Wolin, Nation "[A] lucid and thought-provoking book."--David A. Bell, New Republic "John R. Bowen notes that since the French Revolution, in which the church was seen as a prop for oppressive state policies, the government has historically discouraged public displays of religion... Why the French Don't Like Headscarves should be read by every American who holds public office as well as everyone else who cares about this great question of our day: What should we ask of those who want to live in our country?"--David Kirby, Chicago Tribune "John Bowen's Why the French Don't Like Headscarves is ... more a book about French political culture writ large than about Islam and France. And so it should be: Islam is now intrinsically linked with the definition of what it means to be French in political terms... Bowen cleverly and vividly describes for an American audience the French political debate without simplifying or distorting it. He skillfully blends historical background, factual descriptions of events, in-depth analysis and lively discussions with philosophers and politicians, social workers and ordinary people he meets in the street. The sample of opinion he proffers conveys well the full complexity and diversity of the debate, which Bowen makes intelligible for a large audience."--Olivier Roy, American Interest "Bowen gives a very good account of the national controversy. Bowen interviewed a number of the actors, on both sides, from the top levels of government down to some expelled girls, and produces a well-balanced account... Well worth reading."--Jean-Paul Poirier, European Review "Thoughtful and refreshing... Even though the book focuses on France, issues about identity, religion in schools and the best way of achieving integration are highly relevant to many Western societies. Why the French Don't Like Headscarves is a timely publication that should increase understanding of such controversial subjects."--Clarissa Woodberry, Culture Wars "Bowen ... provides a good discussion of France's historical traditions."--Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs "American anthropologist John Bowen ... explains why headscarves on young French girls sparked an international debate on the nature of secular society and the role of religious observance in contemporary European society."--Kathy English, Globe and Mail "Bowen's sharp analysis flicks between the debate's twin poles: are girls wearing scarves to be treated as individuals or as 'future citizens of France'?"--Tony Maniaty, Australian "Bowen has written an excellent study on French political culture. He should now add a similar study on the political culture of Muslims in Europe in general."--Hendrik Hansen, International Review of Modern Sociology "Bowen's study is restricted to an account of a debate in France but it has the potential to inform similar questions around other issues of dealing with cultural differences. The research employs a creative methodology to deal with an informed and self-conscious public sphere. The book should become mandatory reading for students of social sciences as well as policy makers."--Mohammad Talib, Journal of Islamic Studies "This book is a sensitive narrative analysis of events leading up to the banning of headscarves in public schools. Bowen never judges, he only narrates. He does not come to any conclusions about the outcome of the law, but aims at an increased understanding of the problems of diversity

John R. Bowen is Dunbar-Van Cleve Professor in Arts and Sciences, Professor of Anthropology, and Director of the Initiative in Pluralism, Politics, and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of "Muslims through Discourse" (Princeton), "Islam, Law and Equality in Indonesia", as well as the forthcoming "Can Islam Be French?" (Princeton).

Acknowledgments ix CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 1 Part 1 State and Religion in the Long Run 9 CHAPTER TWO: Remembering Laicite 11 CHAPTER THREE: Regulating Islam 34 Part 2 Publicity and Politics, 1989-2005 63 CHAPTER FOUR: Scarves and Schools 65 CHAPTER FIVE: Moving toward a Law 98 CHAPTER SIX: Repercussions 128 Part 3 Philosophy, Media, Anxiety 153 CHAPTER SEVEN: Communalism 155 CHAPTER EIGHT: Islamism 182 CHAPTER NINE: Sexism 208 CHAPTER TEN: Conclusions 242 Notes 251 Glossary 273 References 275 Index 283