Most of you already know that French President Nicholas Sarkozi is prepared to ban the wearing of burqas in France because, “the burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience.”
I disagree that the burqa isn’t a sign of religion. It is quite clearly a symbol of the Islamic religion, and many Muslims who immigrate to Western countries proudly flaunt it around as such. And because it is a symbol of religion shouldn’t give it any sort of special government protection.
But laws work on punishing actions rather than judging intent, at least on the level of police intervention. A ban on burqas, while meant to suppress the intent of emotionally abusing women, would suppress the action of wearing a burqa, no matter the intent. If a woman has a clear-minded desire to wear a burqa, she should have the right to do so. If I wanted to wear a burqa ironically at a drag show, I should have the right to do so. (There will be photos and I will share them if I am lucky enough to get my hands on a burqa any time soon.)
It also raises the question of what constitutes an illegal robe in France after this ban goes into effect. The burqa, as I understand it, completely covers the face and body, with mesh fabric over the eyes that women can see through but men can’t see into. Would a hijab that has a slit over the eyes where the eyes are visible to everyone be acceptable? Would head scarves that cover the hair and ears but not the face be acceptable? Would this distinction be up to the police to make (which is always a bad idea)?
What about non-religious displays of subservience? If I wanted to hire a professional dominatrix to walk me around on a leash, could I not do that anymore in France?
Should anyone be allowed to wear the headpiece of a burqa at a bank or when getting her drivers license or passport photo taken? Fuck no. My security waiting in line at the bank or DMV means more to me than your stupid self-hating religious views. But should we outright ban the burqa? I don’t think so.
Remember: Only bad guys cover their faces.
As a Muslim Lady, I want to say certain things:
There are lots of misconceptions about MUSLIM WOMEN in West, let me make things clear:
1. Western media needs to do survey of Muslim countries to find out real picture, it shouldn’t be Biased.
2. Read Chapter NISA(Women) from holy Quran, it speaks about Women Rights, to Property, Education, Work, Liberty and freedom of thought and speech.
3. 50% of Business in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is headed by Muslim Women, Read Arab News.
4. There was no Women American President, but Muslim countries had Female leaders like Benazir Bhutto, Khalida zia, sheik Haseena, Megawati Sukhano putri of Indonesia
5. TALIBAN and ALQUIDA don’t represent Islam, there are the monsters created by USA(CIA) Pakistan to counter communism and Soviet block.
6. Through out Islamic History there were great Muslim female leaders like Razia sultana, Ayeaha, MAriyam, Khadeeja, Fatima, Juveriya etc
7. Islam doesn’t restrict female from driving Cars, Saudi Law does, in Islamic history Female warriors rode horses and waged wars.
8. BURQA is no sign of slavery, but sign of Protectiona nd Modesty.
Comment by Fatima — 4 July 2009 @ 2:28 am
I was arguing in favour of you being allowed to wear your bedsheets in public. Please don’t use my comment sections to copy and paste the same bullshit you post everywhere else. There is no god and Muhammad was not a prophet.
Comment by Rev. J. Reed Braden — 4 July 2009 @ 2:33 am
You are confused, Read chapter Mary from Holy Quran
Comment by Fatima — 4 July 2009 @ 2:38 am
It is my religious, Birth and Fundamental right to wear Burqa, no one cannot stop me from wearing it.
Comment by Fatima — 4 July 2009 @ 2:37 am
I’m not trying to stop you from wearing your bedsheets in public.
Comment by Rev. J. Reed Braden — 4 July 2009 @ 2:40 am
They are not bedsheets, they are Burqa, even you should wear a Burqa
Comment by Raseena — 6 July 2009 @ 4:37 am
No I shouldn’t. I love my body and I have no reason to hide it. If I want to walk around completely naked with just a fig leaf over my genitals to satisfy the law, I have every fucking right to do so. You have no right to tell me to wear my bedsheets over my face in public.
Comment by Rev. J. Reed Braden — 6 July 2009 @ 5:20 am