“French legislators on Wednesday set up a panel to look into the spread of full burqas and niqabs among Muslim women in France and will hand in its report by the end of the year. President Nicolas Sarkozy said that burqas were not welcome in France because they are a symbol of the subjugation of women. Sarkozy’s remarks came after 60 legislators signed a proposal calling for the commission to be set up. Al Qaeda’s north African wing has threatened revenge against France for launching a ‘war’ against women wearing the garments.” (07/02/09)