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Toby Young
Sunday 18th July 2010

Ban the burka


Most liberal minded people will welcome Damian Green's declaration that the coalition has no plans to follow France's lead and ban the burka. "I stand personally on the feeling that telling people what they can and can’t wear, if they’re just walking down the street, is a rather un-British thing to do," he says in today's Telegraph. "We’re a tolerant and mutually respectful society."

However, there's a very good reason why liberals should favour a ban, namely, that the burka is both a symbol and a source of the oppression of Muslim women. (To read more, click here.)

COMMENT | COMMENTS SO FAR: 11 [ FIXED LINK | EMAIL TO A FRIEND ] Bookmark and Share




Comments page 1 of 1 - 11 post(s)

Re: Ban the burka
Posted by J Daniels < 'jdaniels' ,at, 'sent' ,dot, 'com' > on 18-07-2010 08:48:

I read the piece, it is well written, and for myself (as a non-liberal), I don't know if we should ban the burka or not.

However, the interpretation of an opinion poll finding that the majority of French women oppose the burka is a bit misguided. The vast majority of women muslims in France do not wear the burka, and are not pressured to do so.

The headscarf, is commonly worn, and should absolutely be legal. Unlike the burka, the asymmetrical view of marriage that the headscarf represents, while inconsistent with western feminist ideals, can be both beautiful and fulfilling for wife and husband alike.

[Disclaimer: I am not a muslim]



Re: Ban the burka
Posted by Freda bothwell on 18-07-2010 12:01:

Women who choose to wear the burka and claim to 'find it liberating' do so because they can control others. They are enabled to see and read the expressions on the faces of others while hiding their own, in secrecy, behind a veil. It's ultimate selfishness and I will not be manipulated by them by engaging in conversation or serving them.



Re: Ban the burka
Posted by bohodotcom on 20-07-2010 16:56:

No-one would choose to wear anything that uncomfortable in this hot weather.
Some people clearly "choose" to be indoctrinated.



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