Global Political Cartoons: April 8 – 14, 2011

It’s a week of troubled leaders — some clinging to power, others forced out. One so disgraced he was made to parade around in his undershirt. Also, the burka police in France,  and Canada’s cheesed off hockey fans.
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European countries weigh outlawing the Burqa

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Some Muslim women wear what’s called a burqa. It’s a garment that covers nearly the entire body with holes for the eyes. The burqa doesn’t create much of a stir in conservative Islamic societies. But it is controversial in western Europe. Tomorrow, the lower house of the French parliament is expected to approve a bill that would make it illegal to wear the burqa in public. And several European countries are considering similar legislation. For example, The World’s Gerry Hadden tells us about moves in Spain to ban the burqa. (Photo: Flickr/Steve Evans) Download MP3

France debates a ban on burqa

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John Laurenson reports that a parliamentary committee in France is considering a national ban on the burqa, the full-body covering worn by some Muslim women.

Burka debate stirs Canada’s Muslims

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There’s a religious debate taking place in Canada. Some Muslims there say they want the country to set some limits on freedom of religion.The Muslim Canadian Congress is lobbying to ban burkas or any other kind of Islamic face covering. Anita Elash reports from Toronto.