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Random Queries > A question for our Dutch members (and anyone else who wants to toss in their two cents)...

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message 1: by ~Geektastic~ (new)

 ~Geektastic~ (atroskity) | 3205 comments I've heard that the Dutch government is drafting Burqua ban legislation. How do you feel about that? Do you think it's likely to pass?


message 2: by Wendall Paul (new)

Wendall Paul Sexton (wendallpaul) | 22 comments It should always be a woman's choice. If she prefers to wear it? Fine, she should be allowed to. If she would prefer not to; she should never be forced. It should entirely be her own choice. However, one caveat to that is the Muslim culture. If there is a credible belief Muslim husbands would not permit her free choice on the, in that situation, the government should step in and say no, ensuring her freedom. Just my thoughts.


message 3: by Michele (new)

Michele bookloverforever (lovebooks14) | 1970 comments freedom of expression..except that some Islamic cultures deprive women of all choices...no way to tell if the woman is wearing a burqua because she is religious (like nuns used to wear those long-skirted habits with veils) or forced to because her father, spouse, brother will beat her if she does not...


message 4: by janine (last edited Sep 16, 2011 02:09PM) (new)

janine | 7709 comments I hadn't heard about this yet (I'm terrible at following the news) but I'm not surprised by it. The ban isn't just for Burquas, but for any garment that covers the wearer's face. That makes it seem a bit more acceptable, but I know exactly who came up with this idea. This guy:

He hates anything related to the islam and if it were up to him people would go to jail for wearing a Burqua. Sadly a lot of people voted for his party in the last elections and now he has a little too much influence on the government (which was already too right-wing on its own).
So, to answer your question, I like this idea about as much as his hair.


message 5: by Lobstergirl, el principe (new)

Lobstergirl | 24778 comments Mod
Didn't they already ban the head scarf in France?

Naturally I'm not a fan of the burqua myself, but I am in favor of religious freedom. If certain Islamic women want/need to wear the burqua, it ought to be up to them.


message 6: by Michele (new)

Michele bookloverforever (lovebooks14) | 1970 comments It might be a safety issue: no peripheral vision in a Burqua and you can't see straight ahead all that well because there is fabric in front of the eyes.


message 7: by Phil (new)

Phil | 11837 comments Charly wrote: "when was the last time you saw someone smiling as they went through a security check?"

I smile.


message 8: by Jim (new)

Jim | 6484 comments Phil wrote: "Charly wrote: "when was the last time you saw someone smiling as they went through a security check?"

I smile."


That's because you enjoy it :)


message 9: by Mark (new)

Mark Burns (TheFailedPhilosopher) | 441 comments Hehe... gotta love Jim someimes.


message 10: by janine (new)

janine | 7709 comments Only sometimes?


message 11: by janine (new)

janine | 7709 comments BunWat wrote: "At the same time, as a western woman I do get scared sometimes. Because I don't want to end up living under the sorts of restrictions that women live under in places like Saudi Arabia. That does frighten me. I choose not to respond to that fear by rejecting and condemning other people's ways of life, but I still feel the fear."

Unfortunately not everyone is so wise. In their fear they think they can counter these restrictions with other restrictions.


message 12: by Mark (last edited Sep 20, 2011 05:42PM) (new)

Mark Burns (TheFailedPhilosopher) | 441 comments janine wrote: "Only sometimes?"

Okay, okay, it's all tje time. I'm currently working on a way to synthesize the flavour of jim into an easy to use sandwich spread.


message 13: by Cyril (new)

Cyril Hijab, burqa - she can wear what she wants. As long as she can cook, who cares?


message 14: by Cyril (new)

Cyril Barb wrote: "*smacks Cyril*"

Why are you out of the kitchen?


message 15: by Michele (new)

Michele bookloverforever (lovebooks14) | 1970 comments gabby, do you understand what happens to muslim women who do NOT follow the clerics/male patriarch's orders to wear a burqa? the punishments can be pretty severe and it happens behind closed doors or in "honor killings". oppression and repression enforced by culture and religion trapping women for millenia..


message 16: by Youndyc (new)

Youndyc | 1255 comments Various states require an individual who wants an ID card or a driver's license to show her* face (no requirement to remove a head covering). I believe there was a lawsuit in Georgia over this. And there were definitely challenges in Florida, but they ended up not going far. What use is an id card that basically shows a covered figure?
I fully support requirements of this type. Another such requirement: a student who wants to take a test must be willing to identify herself, including visual of her face.

* Use of the feminine includes the masculine and vice versa.


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