[Current Affairs] April 06, 2021 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for PPSC Test Preparation

2. French Senate approves Hijab restrictions

What’s going on? The French Senate voted to ban the hijab for anyone under 18 in public places. Mothers who wear hijabs can’t accompany their children on school trips. Also, burkinis will be banned at public swimming pools (i.e. burkinis are swimsuits that cover the body and head). This development is also getting coverage in Pakistan​. Muslims in France and around the world are criticizing proposed hijab restrictions in the country.

The details: The French Senate voted in favor of “prohibiting in the public space any conspicuous religious sign by minors, and any dress or clothing that signifies the interiorization of women over men.” However, many Muslim women wear the hijab for religious purposes, which is why Muslims in France are feeling targeted.

The context: France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has a history of opposing the hijab and how it supposedly goes against the French ideals of separating state from religion. However, it looks like France’s strict secularism policies have impacted other religions as well. In 2004, France banned students from wearing any signs of religious affiliation at state schools, including Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses. In 2019, a state retirement home in France told a Christian nun she had to stop wearing her religious habit (i.e. tunic) and headscarf in order to live in the residence.

Something to know: This isn’t the first time France has banned attire that some Muslims consider a religious obligation. In 2011, France imposed a ban on wearing veils (i.e. face coverings) in public places. A few years earlier, authorities in several French beach towns banned burkinis due to concerns about “religious clothing.”

Looking ahead: The French Senate has only passed the law, which is part of a Separatist Bill. The National Assembly still has to confirm it. This means the laws haven’t been implemented yet.

The bottom line: The French state believes it is “liberating” women and protecting them from patriarchy. At the same time, critics of the ban are accusing France of fueling Islamophobia, violating religious freedom, and obstructing the individual rights of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab.

4. Pakistan comments on the ‘royal dispute’ in Jordan

Pakistan was quick to take sides and announce it’s on team King Abdullah II (i.e. the King of Jordan). On Twitter, the Foreign Ministry wrote, “Pakistan supports the right of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, led by his Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein. Pakistan fully supports the right of the kingdom to preserve its security, stability and sovereignty.” To sum up what’s happening in Jordan, a royal family dispute became very public.

• What Jordanian authorities are saying: Officials in Jordan accused former Crown Prince, Hamzah bin Hussein, of planning a coup. Prince Hamzah is also King Abdullah II’s half brother. During a press conference, Jordan’s Foreign Minister alleged that Hussein and other senior officials were plotting to destabilize the kingdom.

• What Prince Hamzah is saying: In a video recording, Prince Hamzah said his internet and phone lines have been cut, but he’s using satellite internet to share a video message. According to Prince Hamzah, Jordan’s chief of general staff told him he couldn’t go out, communicate with anyone, or see anyone since he attended meetings where people criticized the govt and king. Long story short, the video shows Prince Hamzah calling Jordan’s leaders “corrupt” and “incompetent,” without taking the king’s name. He also mentioned an alleged crackdown on critics of the govt.

• Now what? King Abdullah’s paternal uncle swooped in to help the kingdom’s royal family calm down. He spoke to Prince Hamzah. By the end of their conversation, Prince Hamzah said he’ll remain loyal to the king and Jordan’s constitution. According to professional mediator and family friend, Malik R. Dahlan, a senior security official and govt official misrepresented the situation, which should have remained a family matter.