Canadians want to ban the burka...
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
Canada
July 29, 2010 7:02pm CST
So this new study revealed that 54% of Canadians think we should ban people from wearing a burka.
I had to take a minute to really think about this.
This is Canada - where we don't ban anything foreign - we actually welcome it! So this really intrigues me. Do I think it should be banned? Absolutely Not!! By the way, I'm a white Canadian woman. I don't lose any sleep - not one wink - on other people's fashion.
But then I ask people in my network.
Hubby says: "If the women WANT TO WEAR them for their culture and religion, who are we to tell them not to. But if they themself want to fight for the ban, then we can support them."
- This is why I married the man!
My dad: "How in the world can we see their face? What does their ID look like?"
- Well he's always had strong opinions against it.
To my surprise, my muslim male friend is completely supportive of the ban saying there is absolutely no reason for covering themselves up. Besides, they end up smelling bad... LOL Actually hearing his theory on it all is quite entertaining... but that's another story for another time.
What about you? Would you support banning the burka in your area?
3 people like this
5 responses
@Farside604 (870)
• Canada
30 Jul 10
First off I think its important to understand why goverments are looking to ban the burqa. In France, where similar legislation has already gone through, its mostly for the reason your dad was getting at, that is, we need ID's to go with the person/face.
I partly agree with your husband, in that, if women want to wear the burqa out of modesty this is fine but there are plenty of other measures to do this without completly concealing your identity. There are plently of ways to dress modestly without a burqa infact none of my muslim friends wear the burqa or hijab and conduct themselves just fine in their community.
1 person likes this
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
• Canada
30 Jul 10
I could be wrong, but from what I've read so far, they would consider this ban for hygienic and safety purposes. I can understand that someone wearing loose fitting clothes could not work in a wood shop or mechanics for example. But this is the individuals choice. Wear the burka vs. working with machinery.
I have a few muslim friends as well who choose not to wear their burkas or hijabs but it wouldn't bother me either way.
@homiejoe2 (57)
• United States
30 Jul 10
No not in my area simply because freedom of religion is a big thing in the U.S. But besides that, I don't think it's too ridiculous and you're dad does have a point, a pretty hilarious one at that. I'm a white male and a Christian, Catholic if you care, but I see the wearing of the burka almost as a sign of degradation. Men can prance around wearing what looks like more comfortable clothes while women are forced to suffer. Then again banning it is kind of ridiculous because what if everyone got together and decided to ban speedos, or wearing a cross around your neck? We'll i guess i have mixed feelings but i think ultimately it should be up to the individual.
1 person likes this
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
• Canada
30 Jul 10
Freedom of religion and individual rights are equally as important here in Canada which is why I'm so surprised this is even being considered. I do hope this survey was simply out of curiosity and not a potential law in the making. The government has already banned prayer in school and other ridiculous motions in order not to offend any other culture which I find absolutely insane. So I'm hoping we can leave the muslims alone and bring back some of the Christian ways as well.
However I will say that I believe it is the woman's choice to wear their burkas, hijabs and others outside of the country. They choose to do so to follow and respect their religion hence not forced upon. If I am wrong in this, please someone correct me.
Thanks for your response.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
31 Jul 10
I would not like someone to cover their face unless it is freezing cold or they have a communicable disease. Also there is no reason to wear something that may make one think of trying to hide their identity. Also no one has any idea if some of the women wearing burkas are doing it because they plan to blow up buildings. So let us suppose there are four women who wear the same identical burka and they all are about the same size and weight.
One of these women intends to blow up the house of a Member of Parliament who says that there has to be extra security at the airport because a suspected terrorist attack. The head of the terrorist faction sends a woman to kill him and all the police know is that she will be wearing a blue burka and is five feet two inches. Now the other three women are innocent, decent women who would never harm a fly or another person. So think of the embarrassment when these three are dragged off to the police station and interrogated and they have no way to prove their innocence.
So I am all for the ban. They can wear a traditional garment but keep their faces so people will know who they are.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85301)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I'm not Canadian, but I would not support the ban. I do support them being illegal to wear when having a photo ID taken. Having an ID is for a purpose, and nothing should be able to get in the way of that. Not a religion. If one wants to live in a free country, then they should be able to accept those rules. And if an ID is wanted, then they should have to go about it like everyone else. But for any other reason, I don't see why it should be illegal or banned.
1 person likes this
@vuepoints (4)
•
6 Apr 12
This seems to be a never ending issue. Obviously those forced to wear the burka for religious beliefs are going to argue that it's their moral obligation, but at what cost? In Britain, a lot of non-muslims feel estranged from this practice and it's creating a rift between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Check out this debate for an idea of what I mean by this rift:
http://vuepoints.co.uk/muslims-can-wear-burqas-in-passport-photos
