"The koran does not require women to wear burkas.The fashion for Muslim women to wear the burka is one of most sinister developments of our times. Supporters of this garment like to pretend that it is a welcome symbol of our society’s multicultural diversity and philosophical tolerance. But such warped thinking is woefully misguided. In reality, the burka is an archaic tribal piece of cloth that is eagerly used by fundamentalist zealots to promote a toxic brand of extremist non-Koranic theology. Everyone in Australia, including Muslims, should oppose the wearing of this garment which imprisons women, threatens social harmony, fuels distrust, has grave health implications and is a potent security risk. The burka has nothing to do with Islam,it is a cultural fad imported from Saudi Arabia and primitive parts of the Islamic world. Unfortunately, our leaders will do nothing about the burka, as they think it will lead to claims of Islamaphobia. Burkas should be banned, and muslim women should support such a ban for the following reasons: Firstly, there is no religious requirement on Muslims to don the burka, secondly, the burka is not a feature of Pakistani culture, where 90 per cent of women do not wear it, thirdly, there is no unqualified human right to wear whatever we want in public. In every developed society, personal freedoms have to take account of wider social requirements.The wearing of the face mask is a custom originating in ancient Persia and Byzantium, more than 1,000 years before the birth of Islam. It was upheld by male aristocrats because of social snobbery rather than religion, since they did not want their womenfolk — wives, daughters, sisters or mothers — to be seen by us peasants. The burka imprisons women, threatens social harmony, fuels distrust, has grave health implications and is a potent security risk. It is forbidden for Muslim women going on pilgrimages to Mecca to cover their faces. So if such a pre-Islamic practice is banned in Islam’s holiest site, why on earth would it be required on the streets of Australia." Make up your own minds...
mm, I don't like the Burka, as it demonstrates the domination of men, and makes women almost citizen of a second class. But at the end those women have to decide for themselves, maybe cross their legs for some time, it might work wonders. However, to do so requires an independent thinking, and here starts the problem. IMHO, the Islam hasn't undergone the same transformation Christianity has gone through, those folks need more time, much more time. The change however has to start from within.... Regards
Funny, the only thing that saddens me is that a child would not see the 'full expression' of its mother... would not see her mother 'smile' dressed that way. Other than that, it's none of my business or anyone else. Demonising these women is a cheap, nasty shot. They are not criminals. And we are exercising cultural ignorance (and worse) when we deem to force our will over these women and what they SHOULD wear. As Mariam Veiszadeh says: Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/its-a-niqab-not-a-burqa-ban-20141002-10osjh.html#ixzz3F4Di3Hv4
I am most certainly not demonizing these women, but feel sorry for them, being oppressed. It is also not on, walking 2 metres behind your husband. I spent some time in certain countries, and have to admit I felt often at unease, the way those women were treated. So maybe I am just a strong believer in equality, as no woman deserves to be treated like a puppy or a good. As I said, I don't think it is up to us for changes, but for them. If a woman is happy wearing a burqa, that is fine with me. But I had the strong sentiment, that a vast number of them would be quite happy doing without.... Regards
Mariam Veiszadeh may be a lawyer, but she should know that the burka is not required by a religion, therefore any argument about freedom of religion to wear it is incorrect
The burka can be removed once the woman returns to the household, their children would see their mothers face.
Thanks, and yes, I did know that. Would still be greater reassurance for the kids while out with their mothers. But that's only my assumption and I guess the kids get used to it and if the mother is loving, well, that's what matters. It would be nice if we could ask these women who wear them 'all about it'. Ask them how they feel about the whole thing. And then we can follow up with our opinions from what they tell us. Otherwise, it's a case of these assumptions that they are forced to wear them and the counter assumption of forcing them not to wear them. We need to hear from the women themselves. Otherwise, it's just not right to go on about it the way it's been gone on about. My assumption is probably there are those that want to wear them, I hear more and read more about those women, than of those that don't want to wear them. But the dialogue must involve the women who wear them. Why are they left out of the dialogue / decisions the government wants to make to overhaul their lives? I don't like it. I am a feminist and I think the issue is a lot more complex than that of these women being oppressed into wearing them. It goes deeper and I don't exactly know how or why but there is more involved and we need to hear from the women themselves to understand.
I know you're not demonising them, I wasn't referring to you or anyone here, so sorry, if it came across that way. I think there is a case where some women have reclaimed the garment and reinterpreted it for themselves. I've read a little about that and found it interesting. Reminded me a bit of the slut walk, where women took the 'word' slut away from the sexist people and used the word and reintepreted it to depotentiate the word itself... I probably haven't explained it well, but I do find these situations of reclaiming and reinterpretation of situations, of words... etc, very interesting. Regards to you too.
No you are wrong. Burkha is not a religious requirement, neither is wearing a Kippah in Judaism. But the right to wear them both is about religious freedom.
My argument is that its not a religious requirement....if she thinks it is, then thats incorrect... If she choses to wear one for example because her husband demands it, thats fine...up to her... but still another example of oppression...of course shes free to wear it if she wants to...
Some highlights. The Assyrians wore veils and Islam often adopted local customs but Muslim women did not start wearing them until about 100 years after the creation of Islam and it did not become required until about 1000 years later. Between now and then it has been abandoned and often made illegal in some ME countries but women went back to it after the Six Day War and were seen as a symbol of superiority and domination. http://www.slideshare.net/cjmcd/the-history-of-the-burqa IMHO, women are just as guilty as men about wearing the Burka. You will find many women that approve in the ME. It is funny to me to see women on the beach frolicking in the waves wearing head to foot burkas. Wanna bet they really suck for a Triathlon?
The last time I was at Niagara, I saw a woman walking in full black burka covered head to toe in 100 degree heat with her children in tow while carrying two bags full of stuff pushing a carriage while her husband walked 10 paces ahead of her carrying nothing other than himself and a nice cool shortsleeve shirt and shorts. As he was walking I noticed he was eye humping every scantily clad woman that walked by.....and I thought to myself, what a silly little hypocritical excuse of man.
I noticed on the television coverage of the Eid al-Adha in Lakemba to-day that none of the women were praying with the men. Can someone tell me why the women are segregated like this?
There is nothing sinister about Burkas or Abaya or Chador.. The Koran calls for men and women to be modest.. and you are correct about veiling being ancient and the custom in many cultures.. Early Christians and Jews also covered up .. and covered their hair in loose fitting garments. The enveloping women's garment protects from the sun and the stinging sandstorms and prying eyes. It also takes a certain amount of grace and finesse to wear it without tripping and stumbling. You are getting exercised over NOTHING. Its one of those things that screams "mind your own business".
Doesn't really matter what an imam said.. There is NO authority in Islam nor any church hierarchy. Only fools try to tell women what to wear or fashionistas like Ralph Lauren, but he gets paid to create fashion.
