FRANCE

Could they accept "sexy burqa" ad in France?

French MP Jean-François Copéexplained on Thursday that police officers will be asking women to remove their full veil on the street or else receive a fine under the proposed "burqa ban". So what would the French do with this German lingerie ad - which depicts the veil as something far from a religious restraint for women? Read more and see the clip...

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French MP Jean-François Copé explained on Thursday that police officers will be asking women to remove their full veil on the street or else receive a fine under the proposed "burqa ban". So what would the French do with this German lingerie ad - which depicts the veil as something far from a religious restraint for women?

The parliamentary commission charged with resolving France's burqa issue will present its findings to the French assembly on Jan. 26. On Thursday (Jan. 21), the head of the committee, André Gerin, said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro, that "nobody in the commission is opposed to the idea" [of a law banning the full veil], meaning that the likeliness of a complete ban is higher than ever. On the same day, Copé, a member of the ruling UMP, gave details about how the government was planning to police the proposed law in an interview with French radio station France Inter.

But while France battles with what it considers something "contrary to (...) a woman's dignity", the following online advert, produced in neighbouring Germany, appears to be embracing the full veil as something which is far from hindering the empowerment of women.

Produced in October for online lingerie website "Liaison Dangereuse", the company is now planning to show the clip in cinemas in Germany, according to its press department.

When it was released online, the ad caused quite a stir in both Muslim countries and elsewhere. Some women did find it empowering - no doubt what the creative directors were hoping for - but others felt the ad belittled Muslim women.

The veil featured, which covers everything but the eyes, would be banned under the proposed law in France.

So while we're not expecting to see such a campaign for French labels such as Aubade or Princesse Tam Tam, what about where you are - would the ad be accepted in your country?

Read also: "Nobody forces me to wear the full veil, it's my choice".