The Islamic headscarf has become the subject of heated legal and political debate. France and Germany have legislated against it, and even the UK, long a champion of multiculturalism, has recently restricted the veil proper. Ever since home-grown Islamic terrorism struck Europe, these debates have become even more prominent, impassioned and wide-ranging, with vital global importance.
In this concise and beautifully written introduction to the politics of the veil in modern societies, Christian Joppke examines why a piece of clothing could have led to such controversy. He dissects the multiple meanings of the Islamic headscarf, and explores its links with the global rise of Islam, Muslim integration, and the retreat from multiculturalism. He argues that the headscarf functions as a mirror of identity, but one in which national and liberal identities overlap, exposing the paradox that while it may be an affront to liberal values, its suppression is equally illiberal.
Veil - Mirror of Identity will illuminate, challenge and provoke readers, and will make compelling reading for scholars, students and general readers alike.

Table of Contents
•Preface
•Chapter 1: The Islamic Headscarf in Western Europe
•Chapter 2: The Pupil`s Headscarf in Republican France
•Chapter 3: The Teacher`s Headscarf in Christian-Occidental Germany
•Chapter 4: The Extreme Headscarf in Multicultural Britain
•Chapter 5: Liberalism and Muslim Integration
•Endnotes
•Bibliography

"An eye-opener. It is essentially about European liberalism, `othering` and Muslim integration, and offers some very valuable insights into how French, British and German policymakers and courts have dealt with their respective `headscarf affairs`." (Times Higher Education)
"Joppke`s Veil retrieves a topic subjected to cliched overkill for genuine scholarly analysis. It is erudite, readable and unrivalled, a no-punches-pulled critique of the relationship between Islam, gender and liberalism. Informative, thought-provoking and powerful, it reaches new heights and is a must-read for the informed, or bemused, about Islam in the West." (Paul Statham, University of Bristol)
"Veil is a highly original and systematic analysis of one of the major problems which Western, especially European, societies are confronting. It is an outstanding contribution, and should be of great interest to sociologists, political scientists and historians." (S. N. Eisenstadt, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute)
"One of the most difficult issues for a liberal state is to consider the conflict between religious freedom and liberal values. Written with pace, authority and wit, Christian Joppke provides the reader with a deeper understanding of western Europe?s struggle with manifestations of religious identity." (Kamal Ahmed, Equality and Human Rights Commission)