Tory MP refuses to meet Muslim women wearing burkas

[Hitman]

A Conservative MP today declared he would refuse to meet Muslim women wearing full Islamic dress at his constituency surgery unless they lifted their face veil.
Phillip Hollobone made the comments after launching a Private Member's Bill to ban women in the UK wearing the burka or niqab in public places.

It comes after France banned women wearing the full-face veil, making it an illegal offence.

But Muslim groups have condemned the Kettering MP and accused him of failing in his duty as a member of Parliament.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295498/Tory-MP-refuses-meet-Muslim-women-wearing-Burkas.html#ixzz0txUvyVGR

I expect the PC hxf brigade will come along screaming racism until their lungs implode, but hey ho. Surprise me. ;)

I think this man is doing the right thing and I support him not meeting them. I wouldn't - these women (sometimes men, who knows?) scare me in this burkas and veils - I can't see them and have no idea who is under there. What if they commit a crime? No idea who did it, other than masked person behind the burka... not really narrowing it down.

Now all those who disagree, ask yourself this: would you meet somebody who's got their face covered or somebody hiding behind a balaclava or mask? I wouldn't want to. I bet somebody here would though.

On the bigger subject of burka bans, I hope it is banned. Other European nations are banning them, or preparing to, and I fully agree. In the western world we do not walk around with our faces hidden... unless we're going to commit a crime in a balaclava! :P But honestly, they present many issues do burkas... CCTV are useless against them, it wastes security time as they have to be unveiled elsewhere (if they agree at all) and they are not required in Islam, only specific cultures wear them...

What do you think?

[Catzsy]

Well as he is a public figure I guess he has the right to say 'no'. I am sure that people would also remove their , motorbike helmets and balaclavas as you say. There is probably a one in a million chance that she would be a security risk but it has happened that terrorists disguise themselves in this way. He is not being racist just looking after the security of himself and his staff I guess.

[Hitman]

Well as he is a public figure I guess he has the right to say 'no'. I am sure that people would also remove their , motorbike helmets and balaclavas as you say. There is probably a one in a million chance that she would be a security risk but it has happened that terrorists disguise themselves in this way. He is not being racist just looking after the security of himself and his staff I guess.There was also this robber who wore a burka to get into a jewellers, the owners buzzed "her" through, then a load of accomplices burst in and ransacked the place.

But security aside, I wouldn't like talking to some cloth covering someone's face... it's not racism as Islam isn't a race, and if somebody was wearing a balaclava or bike helmet I'd ask them to remove it...

[HotelUser]

I do not agree with what these burkas represent.

I care more about the bark on a tree more than I do about how they're cultural or religiously valued. Guns and pathetic gun control are part of the American culture and I disagree with that.

[Hitman]

I do not agree with what these burkas represent.

I care more about the bark on a tree more than I do about how they're cultural or religiously valued. Guns and pathetic gun control are part of the American culture and I disagree with that.
Good point. However, we would be classed as racist for saying that... even though it is not racist. :rolleyes:

[Starburst..x]

Personally I feel they should be banned in public places such as shops for the pure reason that you simply cannot see who is under the burka, and it makes me slightly uncomfortable when all you can see if someone's eyes. Furthermore only being able to see someones eyes goes against so many security and safety guidelines.

My dad is a motorcyclist and is always told to take off his helmet when he goes into a petrol station for example, so what is the difference between a motorcycle helmet, mask, hoody, balaclarva (sorry unsure on spelling) or a burka. Im sorry but there is no difference, if you can't see someones face they should be made to reveal it especially in public situations regardless of what religion they see themselves as part of.

[GommeInc]

I can see the point between both sides. Over in "their" country they will let us do what we want in terms of talking to local government, so we should do the same even if it includes a pointless garment that just appeared somehow. So it's his opinion really, versus their belief. There's no wrong or right way, only opinion :/

[Nemo]

Personally I feel they should be banned in public places such as shops for the pure reason that you simply cannot see who is under the burka, and it makes me slightly uncomfortable when all you can see if someone's eyes. Furthermore only being able to see someones eyes goes against so many security and safety guidelines.

My dad is a motorcyclist and is always told to take off his helmet when he goes into a petrol station for example, so what is the difference between a motorcycle helmet, mask, hoody, balaclarva (sorry unsure on spelling) or a burka. Im sorry but there is no difference, if you can't see someones face they should be made to reveal it especially in public situations regardless of what religion they see themselves as part of.Well the difference is their faith, but that's me begin nit picky ;)

I swear though that they aren't actually required in the religion, seems like a bit of a massive amount of fuss over nothing tbh, but i agree with the MP, why risk his security over nothing. Religion, in my opinion, just creates so many problems these days, makes absolutely no sense to me.

[Dragorn]

I personally think they should ban them, i find it really affensive seeing one in town

[Nemo]

I personally think they should ban them, i find it really affensive seeing one in town
Not that i care, but whys that?

[Moh]

I think we should join countries like France and Netherlands and ban anything that hides your identity. It's not for disrespect, it's for the safety of other people.

[cocaine]

ive never been really involved in these debates but i'd just like to say while i'm in favour of banning them for safety and identity reasons, the backlash (from the religion(s) involved and from the people in favour of keeping the burka) in society will be HUGE.

[Hitman]

ive never been really involved in these debates but i'd just like to say while i'm in favour of banning them for safety and identity reasons, the backlash (from the religion(s) involved and from the people in favour of keeping the burka) in society will be HUGE.
Yeah, because they will be mardy over something small. As Nemo said, and I have said before, the Islamic religion does NOT REQUIRE that women wear these burkas - it is a cultural thing, not a necessity. I imagine the Muslim men that make their women wear them will be outraged, but those who don't shouldn't be angry - it's not a requirement to their religion. If they do not like our rules then they know where to go - we prioritise security over pretty much anything else here.

[AgnesIO]

I totally respect this guy, and would have him as PM anyday :P

If that is classed as racism, then I and many others are racist. In Britain where the main religion is not Islam not banning them is ludicrous.

If I went to Iran (if I was a girl) and went to a mosque I would be expected to wear a burka - they should be expected to dress normally in public in Britain.

Just like you Hitman, Burka's in my opinion can be quite scary - as you say - WHO IS UNDER THEM?

[HotelUser]

I totally respect this guy, and would have him as PM anyday :P

If that is classed as racism, then I and many others are racist. In Britain where the main religion is not Islam not banning them is ludicrous.

If I went to Iran (if I was a girl) and went to a mosque I would be expected to wear a burka - they should be expected to dress normally in public in Britain.

Just like you Hitman, Burka's in my opinion can be quite scary - as you say - WHO IS UNDER THEM?

As harsh as this will sound, I don't care that this is a cultural element. I don't think females should wear them here, in Iran or on Pluto.

[AgnesIO]

As harsh as this will sound, I don't care that this is a cultural element. I don't think females should wear them here, in Iran or on Pluto.

I do agree here however, however I think one step at a time :L As long as they get banned where they are not 'native' in way, I don't care!

[crazed]

Good point. However, we would be classed as racist for saying that... even though it is not racist. :rolleyes:

Yeah, it's rubbish that these days you can't even say things like this in the UK and not be branded a racist. Haven't they been banned in France?

[Catzsy]

There was also this robber who wore a burka to get into a jewellers, the owners buzzed "her" through, then a load of accomplices burst in and ransacked the place.

But security aside, I wouldn't like talking to some cloth covering someone's face... it's not racism as Islam isn't a race, and if somebody was wearing a balaclava or bike helmet I'd ask them to remove it...

It is necessarily confined to a 'race'


Racial discrimination is treating people differently through a process of social division into categories not necessarily related to races.

[Hitman]

It is necessarily confined to a 'race'
OK maybe so then. Feel free to call me a racist.

These people aren't being treated differently though, I mean, everybody else has to take off their helmets/garments covering their faces, so why shouldn't other religions/ethnic groups/people? Surely, according to that, we're being racist by allowing them to wear burkas in shops/petrol stations whereas we wouldn't allow bike helmets? We're treating them differently. :S

[Catzsy]

OK maybe so then. Feel free to call me a racist.

Oh no I think what you suggest in this thread is pretty reasonable given the times we live in.

[GommeInc]

I think it's more of a psychological reason why people disagree with them. It just seems unnatural to hide beneath something, and when you're walking around town you expect to recognise facial features with another human being. I mean, if you're walking around a corner and you bump into someone, you're not that shocked, but if you bump into someone wearing a burkha or hijab, you sort of find it difficult to understand expressions and recognise features, if that makes sense? It's what I seem to notice when people see them. Others either don't know this, don't react like this, or have other factors fall in like women are not objects anymore.

[Pyroka]

*wolx in* imagine if a guy dressed in a ninja costume walked around the streets, and you dont know whether he has a weapon concealed in his clothes or not.

now imagine its a woman in a ninja suit.

i can see the tory mp's issue, especially after one got stabbed a few weeks ago doing a community meeting. just can't risk it.