Muslim Woman Defends Hijab as Personal Choice in French TV Debate on Secularism

The young woman was subjected to a barrage of questions about the reasons for wearing the veil in public, going so far as to question its place in the Quran: "The veil is not mentioned in the Quran, it does not exist."

Far from being impressed, Sara El Attar tried to substantiate her argument by evoking her own story: "The veil I wear is the result of a personal journey, it is a religious approach, it is a respect for God. So I take the opportunity to say that it is not a sign of submission."

As for the subject of secularism, the definition of which has been limited, according to a recent poll, to the practice of religion in a private space, the young consultant did not fail to point out the amalgamation made between the law and personal convictions.

"You must differentiate the law from personal opinions," she said, before adding: "Secularism is based on three principles and values, namely freedom of conscience, that is to say the ability to express one’s convictions without disturbing public order, [...], the separation between public institutions and religious organizations, and finally the equality of all before the law regardless of convictions or beliefs."

Defending the right to live together, the young woman made a distinction between secularism and secularism, specifying: "I wonder if we are defending secularism, or if we are falling into secularism since secularism is not a new religion that tends to erase all others but it is the art of living together."