French sociologist and historian of secularism, Jean Baubérot, explained to a parliamentary meeting on the burqa and niqab in France that a ban is untenable as it would be inefficient and complicated to enforce. Bauberot noted that a ban would further ostracize the French Muslim community, even if many of its members are also against full-face coverings. He stressed that “between the permitted and the illegal is the tolerated.” Researcher Fahrad Khosrokhavar and Jean-Michel Comte, president of the Teacher’s League, also voiced their positions against a ban. The commission will report its finding at the end of January 2010.
