Ban the Burka?

[bloodyminded]

...I have no problem with placing reasonable limits on religious freedom when theres sound reasons for doing so.

Definitely.

My worry though is that a lot of people support these kind of things out of ethnocentric xenophobia and not out of any real practical concerns.

Definitely.

Edited July 25, 2010 by bloodyminded

[William Ashley]

It appears that Canadians want it banned. Maybe it's time for a debate in the HOC on the issue to ban it across Canada if possible. If not then lets push our provinicial governments to have debate in our provincial legislatures.

I don't support the banning of any clothing. People ought to have the right to wear the clothes they would like.

Where are you getting these figures? I honestly don't beleive the 95% figure.

The security aspect isn't real, people can still conciel their faces a multitude of ways.

It has absolutely no benefit except being rascist.

Edited July 25, 2010 by William Ashley

[Machjo]

That's actually quite astute of you. No, it's is the societal resentment towards those who insist on propogating an Islamist view of women and their place in the world. That is combined, of course, with a resentment towards a growing number of foreigners living among us and a feeling of being overwhelmed by them. It's not coincidental that the resentment towards the burka is lowest in places where you rarely, if ever, will see one.

Fatima Al-Dhaher, the Muslim who was subjected to Coulter's notorious "get a camel" remark, doesn't wear a burka. But she does wear a towel on her head. Why? Towels aren't required Islamic apparel. They're a sign of a backward middle east culture which she deliberately embraced, despite apparently growing up in Canada. Also embraced by her is the hateful middle east politics, as evidenced by the facebook group she belonged to which used words like "Kikeroaches" to describe Jews.

First off, by referring to the hijab as a towel, you're already indicating that you're not interested in any serious exchange of ideas but merely intend to take the opportunity to insult your fellow man. How does her hijab hurt you in any way?

Now as for some of her views, yes I agree that they are despicable; yet when was the last time you suggested the KKK 'go home'?

So from my perspective - this is the second/third generation of "Canadianized" Muslims which I am to be more comfortable with?

I'm all for banning burkas - and bedsheets. If you want to wear a bedsheet go "home".

I'd met at least one First Nations Muslim. So, where is her home?

Your references to Muslims 'going home' stinks of racism to me when I consider that Islam is a religion and not a nationality, with may Muslims being born in Canada and some adopting Islam later in life. You are suggesting that anyone who should practice this religion is no longer Canadian and is a foreigner regardless that his parents may trace their lineage to before the Europeans even set foot on North American soil.

[Machjo]

Not all Muslims are fanatics any more than all Christians are members of the KKK.

[Machjo]

I think the open societal condemnation of the extreme of middle eastern dress will give pause to those considering donning not just the burka but the bedsheet and towel as well. The more they realize how dissaproving our society and culture are of their homeland culture's desire to cover up women and make them as anonymous as possible the more the open-minded of them will decide that maybe they ought to not dress like their fifth century ancesters here.

Which is more offensive: a woman wearing a burka in Canada or a man wielding an M16 or C7 rifle with a radio pack on his back and fighter jets flying overhead?

Seems like a double standard there. If 'they' can tolerate our army on 'their' soil, we can certainly welcome the hijab at least, no?

And what about non-Muslims who wear veils for secular reasons?

[William Ashley]

You wouldn't? If everyone ran around covered head to toe, there would likely be more crime. Who can say what the criminal looked like? It's all about showing your face.... as if YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.

It is a good thing you arn't a criminal cause you'd get your arse caught.

Smart criminals can hide their appearance anyway.