As the commission into the wearing of the burqa in France led by André Gerin continues, five banlieusard mayors from Monfermeil, Cachan, Rillieux-la-Pape, Clichy-sous-Bois and Gonesse were interviewed to express their positions on French secularism and the impact of a possible ban.
Generally, they noted an increase in the number of parents and students who wear the burqa and niqab in their suburbs (even if at the national level only reflects 0.5% of the population) and express concern about the effects on women’s access to public services (should a law come into place) and integration into French society (should it not).
