What are your opinions on the Burqa (in which I assume everyone knows about, but just incase http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burqa).
This garment, in which is associated with Islam has already been banned in France (and several other countries like Belgium).
The reasoning behind this is usually associated with security, in that a person's face should be visible in public areas.
The ban isn't actually specifically targeting Islam, Women or any such group, but rather anyone who conceals their face in public.
Do you think it's right to ban such an item of clothing, or do you think it should be allowed to be worn in public?
I my opinion the ban is justified, as whilst people should have freedom in what they wear, there are obviously limitations on the extreme. For example being completely naked is an offence, and being completely covered up to the point of being unidentifiable clearly has security implications. Those Muslims who truly believe in wearing something like this are perfectly capable of wearing the less extreme Hijab, which covers only the hair, rather than the whole face.
Also, wearing the full Burqa, especially when not of the woman's choice is not only extreme in my opinion, but it also removes the identity of the woman. Imagine if every woman had to wear the full Burqa. There would be no distinguishing between any of them, and the public would feel like a much more anti social and inclosed place.
The jusification of wearing the Burqa (stopping men from looking at women and becoming aroused) is quite poor in my opinion, and rather over the top. A woman is perfectly capable of dressing modestly without removing all indentifying features of that of a human being. Furthermore women shouldn't have to suffer wearing such things (if they do not wish to do so) just because of the weakness of man. It seems unfair that women must dress in a certain way because of a certain flaw of man.
There are also many environments in which wearing a Burqa is clearly unacceptable, e.g. in a court of law, at airport security and anywhere in which you need to present ID. The Burqa also provides a social barrier, particularly in environments such as schools, and work. It's harder to talk to someone who won't even show you their face, and it takes away from the community.
In conclusion the Burqa is clearly an extremely over the top item of clothing in which takes away from the identity of a person and has security implications. The hijab is a much more sensible and realistic subsitute for those who feel it's necessary for them to wear any form of Islamic covering.
This garment, in which is associated with Islam has already been banned in France (and several other countries like Belgium).
The reasoning behind this is usually associated with security, in that a person's face should be visible in public areas.
The ban isn't actually specifically targeting Islam, Women or any such group, but rather anyone who conceals their face in public.
Do you think it's right to ban such an item of clothing, or do you think it should be allowed to be worn in public?
I my opinion the ban is justified, as whilst people should have freedom in what they wear, there are obviously limitations on the extreme. For example being completely naked is an offence, and being completely covered up to the point of being unidentifiable clearly has security implications. Those Muslims who truly believe in wearing something like this are perfectly capable of wearing the less extreme Hijab, which covers only the hair, rather than the whole face.
Also, wearing the full Burqa, especially when not of the woman's choice is not only extreme in my opinion, but it also removes the identity of the woman. Imagine if every woman had to wear the full Burqa. There would be no distinguishing between any of them, and the public would feel like a much more anti social and inclosed place.
The jusification of wearing the Burqa (stopping men from looking at women and becoming aroused) is quite poor in my opinion, and rather over the top. A woman is perfectly capable of dressing modestly without removing all indentifying features of that of a human being. Furthermore women shouldn't have to suffer wearing such things (if they do not wish to do so) just because of the weakness of man. It seems unfair that women must dress in a certain way because of a certain flaw of man.
There are also many environments in which wearing a Burqa is clearly unacceptable, e.g. in a court of law, at airport security and anywhere in which you need to present ID. The Burqa also provides a social barrier, particularly in environments such as schools, and work. It's harder to talk to someone who won't even show you their face, and it takes away from the community.
In conclusion the Burqa is clearly an extremely over the top item of clothing in which takes away from the identity of a person and has security implications. The hijab is a much more sensible and realistic subsitute for those who feel it's necessary for them to wear any form of Islamic covering.