France has Europe's largest Muslim population, estimated at well over 5 million people. As a result of this growing visibility of Muslims (as well as other immigrants from non-European backgrounds), France is facing a "national identity debate". Essentially, there is a conflict going on in France over keeping "traditional" French culture and values (i.e., white, European, Christian) and accepting multiculturalism. On one side there are those that say people that come to France should adapt French culture and values, and abandon their traditions that conflict with these French values. On the other side are those that feel these measures are seen as xenophobic and bigoted, and are leading to anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments.
On Tuesday President Nicolas Sarkozy called on native French people to be tolerant of Muslim immigrants, but he also warned that arriving Muslims must embrace France's historical values and that they should avoid "ostentation or provocation" in the practice of their religion. Wow, is that how he views things -- that French Muslims are following their religious practices simply to provoke people? That doesn't sound very tolerant.
Sarkozy said, "I address my Muslim countrymen to say I will do everything to make them feel they are citizens like any other, enjoying the same rights as all the others to live their faith and practice their religion with the same liberty and dignity. I will combat any form of discrimination." He continued, "But I also want to tell them, that in our country, where Christian civilization has left such a deep trace, where republican values are an integral part of our national identity, everything that could be taken as a challenge to this heritage and its values would condemn to failure the necessary inauguration of a French Islam." Once again, wow. That is a very loaded statement that is quite broad and vague. What, exactly, is considered a "challenge" to French heritage and values. It sounds all very 'We'll accept you completely...if you're not too showy or flashy with your religion.'
In France, members of parliament from Sarkozy's coalition introduced a bill this month that would give mayors the authority to ban foreign flag at city hall marriages. This is aimed at Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian flags that are often present at the weddings of immigrants' children. In another incident, a mayor from the government majority complained that in his city hall, weddings more often have Arab-style ululating instead of applause. Furthermore, a parliamentary commission has been holding hearings to decide whether Muslim women will be allowed to wear veils that cover their entire face. The commission is expected to release a report next month proposing legal restrictions. Sarkozy has publicly said that "the burqa has no place in France." He says his opposition is due to women's rights. And, indeed, this is a very complex issue. Some view the veil as a form of oppression of women. Others view it as a religious choice that people have the right to make.
These kinds of issues aren't just happening in France. For example, a few weeks ago, Swiss voters supported a referendum that bans the construction of minarets in Switzerland (minarets are towers attached to a mosque, from which the faithful are called to pray). Opponents of the results say they saw no reason for the vote other than as a symbol of the anxiety Swiss people feel about growing Muslim minorities. Sarkozy said the Swiss decision arose from a Democratic vote and instead of outrage, the decision should inspire reflection on the resentment many Europeans are feeling, "including the French." Xavier Bertrand, head of Sarkozy's political coalition, seemed to indicate that a referendum like the one in Switzerland would be a good idea for France. He even questioned whether French Muslims "necessarily need" minarets for their mosques. (Full Story)
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In a related story, a Swiss businessman, who was appalled by his country's vote to ban minarets, has built a minaret on his company building in protest. He is not Muslim, and he said he built the mock minaret above his chimney to "send a message of peace." (Full Story)
According to a new report put out by Public Agenda, a non-partisan research group, most college drop-outs leave school because they have trouble attending school while working to support themselves. While 2.8 million students enroll in some form of higher education each year, most do not go straight on to graduating. Only one in five students that enroll in a two-year school earn an associate's degree within three years. Only two in five students that enroll in a four-year school complete their degrees within six years.
The executive vice president of Public Agenda said, "The conventional wisdom is that the students leave school because they aren't willing to work hard and aren't really interested in more education. What we found was almost precisely the opposite. Most work and go to school at the same time, and most are not getting financial help from their families or the system itself."
*Among those that dropped out, almost 60% did not get any help from their parents in paying tuition. Among those that got a degree, more than 60% had tuition help from their families.
*Nearly 70% of the dropouts had no scholarship or loan aid. While those that got a degree, only about 40% went without such aid.
*Almost three-quarters of those that completed a degree had household incomes above $35,000. Among the dropouts, more than half had household incomes below $35,000.
*Among the graduates, 70% had parents who had completed at least some college work. While, for the dropouts, 40% had parents with nothing beyond a high school diploma.
"Colleges need to be aware, the report emphasized, that only about a quarter of those enrolled in higher education fit the popular image of a college student living in a dorm and attending classes full time. Almost as many have dependent children." Many dropouts said balancing work and school was more of an issue than finding money for tuition. More than a third of dropouts said that even if they got a grant that covered their books and tuition, it would be hard to go back to school because of family and work commitments. When asked to rate 12 possible changes, the dropouts' most popular solutions were allowing part-time students to qualify for financial aid, offering more courses on weekends and evenings, cutting costs, and providing child care. (Full Story)
China's negotiator said that his country and other emerging economies do care about the problems of small island states, which are increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels. However, Palau's delegate said, "We're dying here, we're drowning; and some of us know that they don't really care, because we have to beg them. Actions speak louder than words. If they really do care, please have a little listen to us. " (Full Story)
Let's see now: a country's very existence being in danger OR the possibility of somewhat slower economic growth. That's a real tough decision.
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