New Study Explores Motivations Behind Full-Face Veil Adoption in France

The niqab, describes the academic, is a 30 cm by 20 cm piece of fabric, which is tied around the head. It is used to hide the face and is worn over the jilbab. The ensemble forms the full veil.

Among the 200 women she met and a hundred interviewed for her thesis, beyond the conception of drawing closer to God, the reasons vary from one woman to another. She cites: the desire to improve oneself; to make up for a past that can haunt; the conquest of the Salafist Prince Charming; a reparation, following an unfavorable court decision after a sexual abuse...

Even if there are brides who put on the niqab, in a process of re-Islamization with their husband, Agnès de Féo indicates that the majority of niqab-wearing women are single women who dream of meeting a man in line with their Salafist ideal. Her observation, they all come from families disconnected from Islamic culture, converts, having grown up in atheist families. Those who are of Muslim origin are from households that have broken with religion.

The author also mentions the case of certain women, including Hayat Boumediene, the companion of Amedy Coulibaly, who have radicalized and are part of a political approach. The fall of Daesh, with the images of prisoners in niqab in the Kurdish camps, has deterred several.

Others have radicalized following attacks in the street and have gone to Muslim countries like Morocco, Tunisia or Syria in search of a more suitable environment. Thus, the niqab constitutes a sign of identity withdrawal, and the endless rumors about the veil fuel this withdrawal, noted the sociologist.

« Behind the Niqab », Ed.Armand Colin, 17.90 euros