Had someone asked me a couple of weeks ago what a Burqa was or a Hijab I would have been struggling. I might have guessed it was worn by women I kind of knew that but which women? Again I would have struggled, Muslims; Arabs? is it Asian women or is it headscarves they wear? Anyway it clearly was not an issue with me, let people wear what they want was my attitude. Now I know that the Burqa is a garment worn by women of the religion Islam as is the Hijab and both are designed to preserve a woman’s modesty by stopping men who are not from their immediate family from seeing in the first case their bodies ‘Burqa’ and in the second their faces ‘Hijab’ This clearly IMO is a bit unfair on women as Islamic men are not obliged to cover up in public, still it’s the choice of some but unfortunately not all of these women which is not right but; I can’t see why it should stir up such a storm, perhaps they will change it themselves someday through their own preference.
Politics and the Media when combined together can sometimes throw up some rather odious and quite repellent characters one such is Tory MP Philip Hollobone who has decided to bring forward a bill which would ban these Islamic women from wearing such items of clothing. He states that he objects to speaking to someone who does not let him see their face which is something which we all do when we use emails; letters; telephone etc. as does this Tory opportunist. He senses an advantage for himself and with rat like cunning he reckons the red top rags will back him up; when times are hard it is handy to have someone who is different and looks different to blame and who could be more conspicuous than a woman covered from head to toe in a Burqa. Tory MP Hollobone also refers to wearing a Burqa as "like going around wearing a paper bag over your head" Obviously a well educated and charming man.
I don’t think that women covering themselves up in such a way is a good thing even if some women desire this, it does not seem to me to represent progress but; this Tory MP trying to get a bill to ban it through Parliament is grossly over the top and disproportionate. What this tells us though about the Tory MP and his party is that they have not changed and when they see the chance to play it; the “race card” is never far away.
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12 comments:
So what IS your view on the burkha, Terry? Your blog piece doesn't make it 100% clear.
Are you, of my view, that anyone should be allowed to wear a burkha, regardless of whether they're a man or woman?
Or is it another view?
Just a thought, but if people choose to live in our country, maybe they should adapt to our ways, not us to theirs.
And perhaps you didn't pick up on the London bomber (male) who left the UK, disguised as a woman?
He got away with it because he wore a burqa.
Just think, Kelly, the sweet thing, in a burqa, wanting your help, could be a mad axe man..how would you know?
(The Grim Reaper) 28/07/10
Not often I’m accused of not making my views clear.
The burqa as I understand it right now is worn by some Islamic women voluntarily and some not. I hope that it will eventually disappear for two reasons one is as a step towards Islamic women gaining greater emancipation and the other because I don’t think it’s right for men to have such power over women.
It is not a good idea however to legislate against it as the Tory MP wants to do.
I can’t think of any reason why men should not be allowed to wear it but I suspect you are going to tell me one.
(Byeck) 28/07/10
No one who comes to this country should be obliged or expected to adapt to ‘our’ ways all they should be expected or obliged to do is obey the law.
“the London bomber (male) who left the UK, disguised as a woman?”
The first time I ever heard of this trick being pulled was when Bonnie Prince Charlie was dressed up as a Maid by the Scottish Heroine Flora MacDonald to escape the English soldiers who wanted him dead and she didn’t dress him in a Burqa. There’s nothing new here then.
Kelly @ 3.18
Kelly, these people, presumably, come here because they see our way of life, our freedoms, as better than the one they have.
Now, if someone came to your house, uninvited, but in need of shelter and you allowed them in, are you saying you'd be happy for them to make Kelly Towere so much like home that they couldn't tell the difference? If so, get your name down for sainthood.
And ask Mrs Kelly if she would be comfortable sharing a changing room with someone in a burqa.
(Byeck) 29/07/10
“These people” as you choose to call them come here for the same reason as other people who move to different countries that includes British people who move to other places they are no different.
Your language is crude and ugly. I don’t like giving space to racists so you are ready to be kicked out.
Cllr Terry Kelly said to me "I can't think of any reason why men should not be allowed to wear it but I suspect you are going to tell me one."
You must be thinking of an entirely different Grim Reaper. I think anyone should be allowed to wear a burkha if they want, wherever they want. Government has no right to tell anyone what they can and can't wear.
If Muslim women are being forced to wear it because their men tell them to, then the problem is a cultural one. Banning the burkha would do nothing to solve that. There is nothing in the Koran saying women must wear a burkha, after all.
(The Grim Reaper) 12:02
This sounds fair enough to me but; I do believe that we should encourage everyone from whatever culture to abandon customs and parts of cultures which are barbaric and simply not acceptable. I regard that as telling the truth and acting in conscience.
In Britain we can bring the law to bear on people who practice female circumcision on young girls but shamefully we look the other way. I am not Mr. perfect and if this sounds contradictory I don’t care; stoning women to death for adultery? I don’t give a f**k who’s sacred custom it is; it’s wrong and we should put a stop to such things where possible.
Kelly @ 10.30
'Racist, crude & ugly' language?
Rollocks Terry, my comment was none of these. You've reverted to the classic Kelly response - when beaten, scream 'Racist!'
(Byeck) 18:37
It’s your choice you behave or you won’t be printed, that was your last warning.
Kelly @ 12.00
As always, Kelly, when losing an argument, you fall back on lies and threats.
Well, Sunshine, it's your blog, but it's my choice whether or not I continue to contribute to your education...and I've just resigned.
(Byeck) 01/08/10
Predictable; like most racists when you can’t fall back on racist undertones in your argument the argument ceases and you quit. The air seems fresher already.
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