Del Valle: Sarkozy backed French Council for Islamic Religion

PARIS – Renowned French writer Alexandre Del Valle said Tuesday that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy had backed the French Council for the Islamic Religion.

He added at a seminar organized by the Middle East Center for Studies in Paris (CEMO) on France's new bill to prevent radicalism that France does not have a problem with the Islamic headgear, widely known as Hijab.

"Nevertheless, France has a problem with the headgear imposed only with the aim of punishing women," Del Valle said.

The seminar, which took place at CEMO's headquarters in Paris, was titled "Is France's new bill on separatism enough?"

It was held on the eve of discussions on the bill by the French cabinet.

Apart from Del Valle, a host of other dignitaries spoke in the seminar, including CEMO Director, Abdelrahim Ali and Jacqueline Eustache Brinio, a member of the French Senate and the Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Islam in the Senate, renowned French writer Yves Thréard, who is the editor-in-chief of the French daily morning newspaper, Le Figaro, and political Islam specialist Emmanuel Razavi.

Also speaking in the seminar was noted writer Gil Mihaely.

Ahmed Youssef, CEMO's executive director, moderated the seminar.