<p>I don’t know if you remember the protesting, several years back, led by a group headed by Mavis Leno to free the women of Afghanistan? I know that you had some cute, flip remarks about why women wear a burka but to send women back in time to a place where they cannot talk to others, of honor killings (no I am not comparing the wearing of the burka to honor killings just the fundamentalist concept behind it), it is no longer perception of hookers versus the pious. It is rather ignorance of the outside world. We see the burka and what it can/does represent, we can discuss it, we can decide whether or not it is appropriate for us to wear. We have seen headscarves here for years, no problem. (In fact, in the strange twist of religious fates Orthodox Jewish women cover their heads as well.) Most of the women in the burka can’t choose anything, be it education, driving a car, or taking a solo walk down the street. For us to forget Afghanistan and the Taliband (who mandated the burka) makes us, if history serves as a lesson, for us to repeat it.</p>
<p>Concealing ones identity in public spaces is counter to good order and in most places illegal. But then again, tell that to SWAT teams. It’s the usual case of government officials taking the attitude of " Do as we say! Not as we do!"</p>
<p>Was your comment in response to mine, ellebud? I am unsure. Because I assure you that my remarks were not intended to be “cute” or “flip”. What I was explaining is the reality on the ground.</p>
<p>I’m glad you mentioned Mavis Leno’s organization:
[Jay</a> Leno and Mavis Leno turn serious about the plight of Afghan women - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-cause3-2009apr03,0,3597618.story]Jay”>Jay Leno and Mavis Leno turn serious about the plight of Afghan women)
I raised money and awareness for the FMF when they first started it, and I can tell you that it is still very much active.(I stepped away from it a while back to do other things.)</p>
<p>I will also say that the phenomenon of the burqa is not as simple and clear-cut as you would like to believe. In any area under Taliban control (not just Afghanistan), the plight of women is desperate and bleak. But we are talking about France and other European countries in which the Muslim population is sizable (like the U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, etc.). Women in burqas, hijab and niqab (the face mask) are present in ever-increasing numbers. The issue is whether or not it is necessary as a culture to form an opinion and follow it up with public policy.</p>
<p>What fascinates people, or maybe I should just speak for myself, is the challenge religious attire presents to our secular sense of civic participation. How extreme is too extreme? Put another way – what would we cross the street to avoid? And when should we make rules and laws prohibiting some forms of religious expression? </p>
<p>Many people would cross the street to avoid — the Hare Krishnas, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists, Mormon missionaries, street people dressed like Jesus shouting at us to repent…should people in burqas be added to the list (because they are “scary”)? I’m just asking.</p>
<p>Just as an intellectual exercise to see where our experience/preconceived notions fall let me give you this scenario. One of my kids was asked to write a paper on this question after talking to/polling at least ten people.</p>
<p>An African American woman now living in Chicago has a 14 year old son. The mother immigrated from Africa, legally, and had become an American citizen. She is arrested for child abuse. She cut lines on her son’s face with a knife. She had tended the wounds. In court she explained that if she and her son went to Africa to see her family and his face was not cut in the ritual manner he would not be considered a man. So she did it herself. </p>
<p>She was convicted of child abuse. Agree or disagree?</p>
<p>Agree.</p>
<p>(10char)</p>
<p>To be upfront…I definitely agree with the court.</p>
<p>Absolutely agree. The kid lives in America not Africa. If he wants to cut his face after he’s 18, then he can go ahead & do it.</p>
<p>I agree. (though these culture questions are always slippery ones)</p>
<p>One thing I wonder is who considers spanking abuse? Spanking is something that is common in Black-American culture though many White-Americans I have talked to consider it a form of abuse.</p>
<p>I for one believe in the right to spank a child, do others?</p>
<p>How about piercing an infant girl’s ears? I consider that child abuse as well.</p>
<p>I think calling every single thing we disagree on “abuse” is abusing the word abuse .</p>
<p>I don’t think spanking or ear piercing are abuse, but that doesn’t mean I think either is a good idea. Ear piercing is unnecessary pain for a baby (my opinion). Spanking? My internal jury is still out on this one.</p>
<p>What if she had cut the foreskin off of his you-know-what when he was an infant? I think I see the difference, but I’m not sure how big a difference it is.</p>
<p>Sorry bro due to bad internet connection I m a bit delay in my answer otherwise u wll b getting my answer a bit early
May b ur religion give u permission of killing of a human being bt most of the religion dont give this sort of permission.
I m just saying this if some one want to practice religion & of course it is not harming any one y r u having such problems?
Tell me one thing how many time do u came across a lady wearing burqa or a man wearing cap and harm u? y dnt u make so much trouble when alcohol is being common in society when prostitution is being legalized when pornography is being legalized? N of course these things harm the society
Wat abt the Jews from wearing the yarmulke or the Christians from wearing the cross, though such objects are symbols of religion. Why should they prevent the Muslim women from wearing hijab? I hope ur a Christian dnt nuns wear a sort of hijab? Do u consider it also a sing of oppression?
U neither no ur religion its only in the book n come out only at funeral ceremony.
Ur status is like v dnt follows ours but dont let the others also follow. Gr8!
Plz refer the ur religious book n I m sure u wll b shocked to read abt hijab .
Peace be on u</p>
<p>Sorry if u hurt by my words it wasnt the intention bt b4 giving other a beautiful piece of advice at least see ur words also
I hope u never wear hijab bt u have understand all the reasons actually all the possible reasons y hijab is thr in the religion sorry in advance bt like to say that u dont even no ur religion but u r giving the commentary of other religion & culture !
I agree with u up to some extant that unfamiliar things r look strange in other culture bt not scary.
As far as culture differences r concern different culture hv different view on different things for example wat is fun in ur culture may be considered a vulgure thing in another culture.
N y ur friendly next-door neighbor in middle east dont communicate to u I dnt know y they dnt communicate to u !
Because in Islamic teaching the even neighbors have right on each other. N greeting is a must in Quran Allah says when some one greet u greet him more courteously or at least with the same so u keep thinking n bye frm my side. Peace be on u</p>
<p>the above post is specially 4 AnudduhMom</p>
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<p>Sarfan,
Do you know the meaning of the word “sarcasm?” The point of my post was not that I follow a religion that allows me to kill people (I do not), but because contrary to your assertion, in America at least, no one has the right to follow religious tenants if they violate the country’s laws.</p>
<p>I did not make a statement one way or another about whether the burqa causes me “problems.” Currently, I am somewhat neutral on the subject. I have yet to learn anything positive about the practice however, and as a woman, I cannot imagine having to undergo the isolation and inconvenience it would create, trying to do what I do everyday here in the U.S. </p>
<p>In your religion, why don’t men wear the burqa, too?</p>
<p>sarfraz, Asalaam alaikum, I see that your post above is somehow addressed to me?</p>
<p>I apologize, I hardly ever willingly read anything in ‘textspeak’, I even text using actual words, and so does everyone I text with.</p>
<p>Please, if you want to write to make yourself understood, use actual words in your messages. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think that outlawing the burqa specifically is being intolerant and needlessly foolish. There is good reason to outlaw the burqa because you cannot see who is wearing it. For security reason, I can see why they would be against the law in many situations. Is this prohibition of burqas specific to that particular outfit or any outfit that covers the face? If other garb that covers as much as the burqa is permitted, I see a real problem in this ban. Also what about any other clothing that includes any kind of a face mask? Is that going to be allowed?</p>
<p>When there are rules in countries about covering the hair, legs, arms, etc, it is not an attack on a specific type of dress but what the outfit covers. I have covered my arms and legs in some very hot summers out of respect for local traditions, even when it was not a requirement. If I were to visit the middle east, I would have no problem wearing the burqa other than getting used to the restrictive sight that it would entail.</p>
<p>As Spideygirl says, it has its advantages. If it weren’t for the fact that I might get pulled over and checked out, I would be tempted to buy one to wear when I drop H and sons off at the train station in the early mornings. I’m in my nightgown and I pray that noone I know sees my face and hair which looks a fright. Not a bad idea at all.</p>
<p>Language. All posts will be in English. Be descriptive, specific, and succinct in your postings. This way your opinion and point is clearly understood and referenced. Remember, people from all over the world read here with english as a second language. Please avoid excessive abbreviation and “text messaging” shorthand. Posts that do not meet our language guidelines will be deleted. </p>
<p>Sarfraz, could you please use regular words instead of text words. I find it very annoying to read and tend ignore what you say. I am sure that I am not alone on this.</p>
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<p>Actually, I did not use the word “uncomfortable,” rather I described the burqa as isolating and inconvenient. I do not know whether it is uncomfortable or not, but I have worn a mask at parties, and when your friends cannot recognize you and strangers cannot see your facial expressions, your social interaction becomes very limited.</p>
<p>I spend a good part of my day getting in and out of a car and running for exercise in public, so having to wear a burqa while doing those things would be very inconvenient and cumbersome.</p>
<p>Nuns are not born as nuns, they choose to be nuns when they are adults, and therefore have assented to follow prescribed rules. I am not convinced that women who wear the burqa are always doing so out of choice as opposed to oppression or fear.</p>
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<p>No I do not, and I said nothing of the sort. I asked why men don’t wear a burqa in your religion, too? You did not answer. What I gleaned from your linked article is that wearing the burqa is presumed to prevent the molestation and rape of women. If men also wore a burqa, it would also be preventative: they would have a tougher time molesting and raping women while so attired.</p>