The veil and religious freedom: student’s first book published

Herman Salton, an Exeter MPhil student (2007, International Relations), has had his first book published. “Veiled Threats? Islam, Headscarves and Religious Freedom in America and France” compares the French and American attitudes towards the Islamic veil, and towards religious symbolism in general: an issue which has become increasingly controversial in Europe in recent years.

Mr Salton examines the legal systems of “secular” France and “religious” America before the passage of the 2004 French headscarf ban, and finds more similarities in their approaches to religious insignia than perhaps many readers might expect. He also challenges the view that the 2004 ban was the result of a “veil emergency” which rendered the passing of the new statute all but inevitable.

The book is available on Amazon, and will be officially launched at the European Studies Centre, St Antony’s College, on 6 May 2009 at 5pm. Any Old Members and guests who would like to attend are welcome to come along.