secular europe, headscarves and identity.

The editors consider the response to an announcement by French President Nicholas Sarkozy in the summer of 2009 about the ban of burqa in France. Sarkozy reportedly argued that the burqa is not only a religious symbol, but also a sign of subjugation. The editors claim that the controversy raises themes about how identity can be connected to clothing, and material objects in general. Further, they contend that the wearing, as well as the banning, of the burqa or veil raises issues surrounding the cultural manifestations of global religious traditions.