Is it right for countries to ban the Islamic burqa? [ENDS 01/08/2010]

[Hecktix]

Is it right for countries to ban the burqa?
[ENDS 1/08/2010]

The burqa which is a full-face veil worn by some Muslim women has become somewhat of an international controversy, in the sense that citizens of countries which are not predominantly muslim find these veils to oppress women and some even find them intimidating. Countries such as France have actually banned people from wearing burqas for such reasons, however arguments have arisen that such religious views should not be disrespected, it is believed by devout Muslims that a woman should cover herself in public to save her from sexual predators and other men apart from their husband. Recently in Britain, Immigration Minister Damien Green slammed claims that the burqa should be banned in Britain, claiming that preventing people from wearing such garments would be "unbritish" - this is said despite a YouGov poll showing over 60% of Brits calling for the ban of the burqa.

What do you think? Is it right to ban the burqa? Is the burqa banned in your country? Should it be banned in your country?

[Hitman]

Somebody been looking at my threads!

Yes I think they should be banned. I've posted in the other threads why, but my main reason is security; anybody could be hiding under one, and in certain places you are required to remove your bike helmets or if you're wearing a balaclava you are not allowed in. The same should apply to burkas or any garment covering a person's face.

[GommeInc]

Yes, if that country has strong beliefs that go against another country's belief. Many western cultures are equal, so men and women should be treated as equals, so the belief some muslim women have that they must cover themselves from the lustfulness of men, or that they must stick with the one man who can see them without it, goes againstrights and laws about being a possession. However, some muslim women wear the burkha, hijab or "veil" because it's a sign of their faith, and strictly a sign of their faith (there are hundreds of reasons for the burkha) which is fine to an extent. Some countries also have different habits or behaviour, some may find the burkha extremely uncomfortable if they rely on expressions and body language, and seeing as the burkha is designed to cover expressions it can be traumatic for people seeing them as you're not use to not knowing what someone looks like underneath, and what faces they are pulling - smiles, frowns and laughter form some language in some cultures, I believe the French maintain strong eye-to-face contact when talking in some areas of France. The view "you come here and respect our rules" is what makes individual countries. Afterall, if you're escaping from a country, then you must have a reason to escape. If you want the country you're going to be the same as the country you're coming from, why leave? It can't be that important to you wearing garments or jewelry if you're happy to leave the place that's closest to your belief or faith

[alexxxxx]

no because i don't think the state should have any say over what people wear. It's none of their business.

However i believe that private businesses and government offices should be able to choose whether or not to ask people wearing a veil covering their FACE (and face only) when they come into the building due to security and ID requirements.

Also strict laws should come in against men who make women wear clothes like this.

[Mathew]

My immediate response is yes - it's covering your face and it's a security risk. But then it becomes a question of where you draw the line and then whether balaclavas should be banned too. I think it's absolutely stupid that you can be driving down a road and see someone fully covered - you don't know what they are like or who they are. If it goes through that burquas are allowed, then it's just advertising a whole new way of hiding oneself.

Honestly, the UK Government is too scared of people calling them racist to ban this. The only balls they have is Ed and that's a waste of space too. The UK is trying so hard to be equal to everyone that they will eventually fall on their backs and end up being racist to themselves. Pathetic.

If burqas were banned in buildings (very much like smoking) then it would be getting there. But how would it be if you were mugged by someone wearing one in the street? Would you be so quick to say "they're ok to cover their face" then?

[alexxxxx]

My immediate response is yes - it's covering your face and it's a security risk. But then it becomes a question of where you draw the line and then whether balaclavas should be banned too. I think it's absolutely stupid that you can be driving down a road and see someone fully covered - you don't know what they are like or who they are. If it goes through that burquas are allowed, then it's just advertising a whole new way of hiding oneself.

Honestly, the UK Government is too scared of people calling them racist to ban this. The only balls they have is Ed and that's a waste of space too. The UK is trying so hard to be equal to everyone that they will eventually fall on their backs and end up being racist to themselves. Pathetic.

there's no 'if' about it - they are allowed now.

[Mathew]

there's no 'if' about it - they are allowed now.

Oh it's finally gone through. Thanks.
I edited my above post.

[Caution]

I'm on black skin, had to highlight to see that. But, yes, you don't know who's under it, and the UK clearly doesn't want it. It should be banned, if they don't like it they can go back to where they come from, where they can wear it.

[Alkaz]

Yes. I hate the fact how in our own country a lot of the time people are asked not to wear crosses around there neck (there was a big thing about it a year or so ago in the news) but it is perfectly fine for others to wear their religious clothing and the burqa etc as no one wants to say anything encase it offends them but when the shoes on the other foot then the Christians are in the wrong.

I also remember a while ago, a Muslim person working on the checkout in a super market refused to serve a woman as he saw her wearing a cross around her neck and it was against his religious beliefs. The woman made a bit of a fuss at how disgusting it was and she had to be escorted out and I am sure she was threatened that if she didn't leave then the police would be called. If that was the other way around, she would probably have lost her job.

[RedStratocas]

nope, violation of rights. i mean obviously it should have the same security restrictions as hoodies, helmets if necessary, but i dont see why it should be treated differently than other clothing. people keep saying "you dont know whats under there," well... yeah? but you do realize that 80% of our bodies are covered in public in regular circumstances, you could say that about someone in even the most casual clothing.