Iraqis urge boycott of French products over scarf ban

By: Hamoud Kufi

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraqis in demonstrations and Friday congregations severely condemned France government over veil ban in schools calling for a boycott of French products in protest at the move.

Clerics, in their Friday sermons, urged the religious authorities in the holy city of Najaf (Iraq), holy city of Qom (Iran) and Al-Azhar (Egypt) to issue fatawa (religious edicts) ordering a boycott of French products.

“Silence would encourage other countries, such as Germany, to follow in France's footsteps,” a cleric warned. The clerics condemned the French government's decision and demanded the liberty that France says it embodies.

Huge demonstration was witnessed on Friday evening in Mosul denouncing the French decision to ban the veil. “This decision violates freedom,” read some of the banners raised by the protesters.

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Iraqi women demand release of their husbands

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Several dozen Iraqi women on Friday marched through the streets of the capital city of Baghdad to protest for the release of their husbands.

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