Should We Ban The Burqa

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Should We Ban The Burqa Posted by Lisa, Baz & Sam 31 May, 2010 - 8:30 AM

Burqa

(Image: sxc.hu)

Belgium is the latest country to consider banning the Burqa. The Burqa is garment worn by Muslim women designed to cover the entire body.

Liam Bartlett (60 minutes jurno) has written an article saying Australia should also consider banning the garment. He states that its a security risk and a tool of female oppression. Share your opinion on the subject below.

Should we ban the Burqa?

Comments

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Adam says
In this free society the wearing of a burka is not forced upon women. It is not a tool of oppression in this country. In various Middle Eastern countries it may be, but here we should respect their right to religious freedom.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 8:48 AM
Sharon Knight says
I believe Australia should not ban the burqa as it is less confrontational and only a head scarf, I have no issue with that, but the full head covering allowing view of only the eyes YES, First of all it is not part of Australian culture, "So dont wear it!" it segregates them from society, due to the intimidation and confrontational issues the full head gear poses. I met a wonderful women outside a muslem school, she was so bubbly, talkative, chatty and someone I thought (for a short moment) is someone I would enjoy being in the company of, However, her entire face was covered up and all I could see was her eyes, which made me feel uncomfortable, and made me think "Are you wearing this because you're made to, or is it your own choice to wear all this full body top to toe wear on a stinking hot 38 degree day.
I believe if Muslem women and men want to intergrate into Australian society in a positive way, they need to adapt to the Australian culture and lifestyle, the Australian way.
my neighbours are Muslem, they are lovely people, they speak Arabic, they spend several hours outside mum, dad, and kids outside, playing cricket, soccer,etc they do not wear all the clothes n stuff which enables me and my family to approach them at times in a friendly non confrontational manner, however If they were all "clothed up" I don't think I would.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 8:56 AM
Jia says
I listen to this show every morning on my drive to work, great show guys.
Now I'm not a muslim, I'm chinese and I'm anglican. I dont have any muslim friends or family members, but I would fight for their right to wear a burqa.
Banning the buke may sounds reasonable and logical, but if you look back in history every step of Jewish suppression in Germany also seems reasonable and logical.
This may be something with no significance for non muslims, but I think this has fundamentally challenged the freedom and constitution in this country.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 9:13 AM
Sharon says
I strongly believe that the Burqa should be banned if they "live" here. If we went to their country or any other Country that have certain cultural laws we would have to abide by them and if we choose to live there then so we should follow their culture and laws. There are certain places of business that all head gear/helmets/hats must be removed otherwise even we can't even enter the premises, why should they be any different.
The main problem here that I see is that not only do they not "look" the part of an Australian it's that the majority of them only mingle with their own culture/people and not so much with Australians and so this seperates them from us instead of mingling with us and our wonderful culture. If our Country is good enough to live in then so should our culture and our people.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 9:23 AM
Joanne says
Please google ...Ayaan Hirsi Ali ...She grew up in five Muslim Countries as a muslim and is a Political scientist. She has written various books and her interviews can be found on you tube. She has told the truth about Muslims and Islam. She has advised that In a multicultural society Islam thrives because under their religion they believe the law of islam is higher than that of our country meaning they CANNOT co exist allowing Australians to their cultural intergrity and i will translate that for you YES BAN THE BURQA !!! The girl that got on the radio and said women are not forced to wear the Burqa is either lying or has not a practicing Muslim or has not read the Quaran. The Burqa incidently is not only for submission and obedience it is also used as a form of a barrier against Infidels and an Infidel is anything evil (anyone not muslim ) also in their language known as Galo.There fore it is unaustralian as they are stating by wearing that Austrlians are evil ....bit racist i think.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 9:23 AM
Desiree Belushi says
I am an Australian married to a person from the Gulf and I have visited the gulf and the Middle East and I not once was forced to dressed like them or to wear the Burqa.
The caller today said if Australia bans the burqa some people may lock this women in their homes and throw away the key!! So how would the banning make us any better?
I lived in the Gulf and the Middle East for over a year and I wanted to wear the Burqa!!!
The veil I wore it many times and it is a fashion accessory and the women I know that wore the Burqa?! It was a choice like it would have been mine.
Not every woman is forced to wear it.
I think we need to stop judging and we need to educate our selves before we open our mouth.
People are really scared of what is different....
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 9:27 AM
Mohammad Nawaz Hamidi says
My comment is in regards to Moslim women wearing Buqa. As a husband for 17 years I have never ever forced to wearing Burqa some times I even ask my wife not to wear Burqa when we go some where but she has always refused that she say to me that if i do'nt wear Burqa I feel like I am wearing nothing I feel so uncomfortable when go out with out Burqa. I would take this babbing Burqa here in Australia or any part of the world would be creating hatred in moslims heart for people who would try to implement this banning on wearing Burqa it would bennifit no one in the end this is just an other plot like 9/11 look what is happening every day since 9/11 Joesh & Americans are sitting just thinking how to destroy this unity amongst the moslims and nonmoslims once and for all!
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 9:29 AM
Moss says
I am of Samoan back ground. My parents raised us to appreciate Australia and all it has to offer us. They migrated to Australia for a better life.
They did not teach us the Samoan language growing up as it would have to be our choice to learn as adults if we wanted to.
They did teach us the Samoan way of living, but it was always in the view of us appreciating Samoan culture, not forcing it upon us.
I am 27 and as proud to be Samoan/Australian then any other. I just dont understand why the big issue is regarding "banning of the burqa" They have migrated here for a "better life" or opportunity right? So then if Australia were to ban the burqa, what's the issue?
I'm married to an aussie girl who grew up in England, and we were listening to the show this morning. She stated a number of times during the interviews when stated "we are not forced to wear the burqa" that this may be the case here, but in England some of her friends were made to wear the burqa!
If you were to visit any of these countries, you are REQUIRED to follow and abide by there laws strictly at all times!!! If this is breached, you will be punished severly! I think that there should be respect for Australia.
Banning the burqa for me is of a mixed opinion, BUT the beauty of living in Australia is that your free to be who you are, be proud! I think that if they are entering into a public place or shop that is required for them to remove there burqa (for security or what ever reason, then they should be happy and willing to take it off!
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 11:22 AM
Hafsa says
What has happen to democracy & freedom of choice I certainly don't want anyone to free me from supposedly the opression I am under.I am astonish at the double standard being displayed re banning the Burka. I watched 60 minutes a week ago where the muslim girls rugby team is now going to be forced to take their Jilbab off. even though they have only their head covered & wear skins & tights for mrdesty reason underneath their rugby shorts.We are supposedly being allowed to intergrate Australian way of life. Doesnt this rediculous demand is stopping intergration when these girls are going to be stopped from participating in the game of rugby just they cover their head & wear long tights under shorts. Even in Tennis & other sports the black americans have set the trend of not complying with boring gear.Like flo Jo & the Williams sistes. Some of us only tuned in to see what is being worn. I herd this morning Basil & Sam discussing some corsett type worn by Serena Williams. So there is even interest displayed even by opposit sex
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 1:52 PM
Deena says
First of all Thanks Lisa,Baz And Sam for bringing this issue up as it is becoming very important in the australian society.

i think that the burqa shouldnt be banned

Some muslim women feel comfortable wearing the face covering as it makes them feel secure, but i would strongly like to stress about the fact that the burqa is not forced to be put on. Women choose to put on the burqa.

as an Austrlian born muslim teenager i wear the head scarf and go to a public school, i have never been attacted verbaly by anyone at school they all respect that it is part of my religon and they like to ask questions about it.
Posted Monday 31 May, 2010 2:35 PM