<p>Do you think this is fair at all? Not only is it a violation on the culture/religion of Islam, but I can see what can be accomplished from this. Do the Europeans feel threatened by the rise of Islam in Europe? This is where Americanism stands head and shoulders above Europe for its freedom.</p>
<p>It is a security issue. There was a similar issue in the states, where some woman wanted to take her driver’s license picture with a burka on. Totally pointless these things are.</p>
<p>It is custom in some cultures to go sans clothes and marry close relatives. Sometimes adaptation is necessary. Burka does not really bother me except as how it is a symbol of the second class status of women under Islam. For that I say ban it.</p>
<p>I believe it’s purely cultural. Nothing in the Koran requires that a woman be hidden from public view. True Islam is actually a very liberating religion for women in many ways from what I understand.</p>
<p>I think that many European countries are, in fact, feeling threatened by the wave of Muslim immigrants. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. First many European countries suffer from their own demographic issues (low birth rates) and are worried about being “watered down” by other cultures. Second, many European countries really are devoted to a very secular state and the presence of large numbers of Muslims evidently threatens that. </p>
<p>This is not too much different than the French banning Muslim headscarves in schools.</p>
<p>Oh well, in any case these countries are not the United States – and they don’t care a hoot what we think.</p>
True communism also provides food for all, but noone practices this. Islam represses women, period. Look at all Islamic countries and tell me how many rights the woman has.</p>
<p>I’m not about to get into a political argument with you. I wasn’t talking politics; you are. In fact, that pretty much makes my point. True Islam–the religion, untwisted by those who wish to grind others beneath it for political gain–is what I am referring to.</p>
<p>That part of that Muslim commuity clearly is not on the same cultural page as those who have taught me the little I know. While I am not setting myself up as an apologist for a world religion, I also don’t think it’s appropriate to write it off because of how some people practice it. You could argue that all religions should be written off for that reason. (Yes, I know…)</p>
<p>You are wrong. This is only practiced in certain Middle Eastern Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Islam advocates equal rights for men and women. If you do some research, women are very liberal and HARDLY oppressed in Muslim countries. Many Muslim countries have female Prime Ministers. So I dont know where you’re coming from. Blaming Islam for women oppression in areas which make less tha 25% of the total Muslim population is a thoughless and ignorant assumption. Accept my appologies for sounding rude, but it is simple not fair that Islam get a terrible reputation as on spineless statements.</p>
You are right, I should have specified Middle Eastern Islam. But these “25 percenters” are hell bent on making the rest of the world believe their backwards ass views. So just be careful is all I am saying.</p>
<p>I’m Catholic but I respect the religion of Islam and its followers. I think that banning the burka along with the hijab is discrimination. A lot of Muslim women proudly wear their religious garments not because of oppression but by choice. They symbolize the reserved, graceful character of a woman who does not want to subject her body as an object for men. These garments force one to look at the woman’s character rather than looks. Those who argue that the burka and hijab indicate a woman as a second-class citizen are confused. It is not these garments which do that. It is the society that some of these women live in. There is a difference. Even in the US which is arguably one of the most liberating countries for women, Muslim women can be seen with these garments. They wear because they were forced? No, they wear because this is what they believe in. </p>
<p>All the time, I see people, even kids in public schools, wearing some sort of Christian symbols, especially crosses and crucifixes. And, yet, no one argues against that. Our Pledge of Allegiance, our money, etc. all have some link to Christianity. Yet, no one is really in an uproar about like those in Europe are to the women. This shows where our idea of freedom is heading…to war.</p>
<p>I think the purpose of this is to reduce the immigration of moslems. I do not see the same thing with photo identification. I would not mind if someone told me that I needed to take off my hat or hood or scarf to get a photo identification that can be used for a driver’s license.</p>
<p>If the majority of citizens of the Netherlands wish to ban burka’s, good for them. We spend way too much time focusing on minority rights as if they are some untouchable concept. In a civilized society, not everybody can have their way. That’s part of the deal when creating a civilization. For example, some Muslim and Christian religions practice clitorectomy as a part of their religion. Does that mean no one can ban the pratice? Some religions utilize marijuana as a form of religious practice. Does that mean no one can ban their pot smoking? Mormons used to permit a man to have many wives. Does this mean no one can tell a mormon man that he can only have one lawful wife? If a society can require a person to wear clothing in public, surely a society can regulate what type of clothing a person can wear in public. If banning a burka in public discourages Muslims to immigated to the Netherlands, then so be it. The Netherlands has the right to decide who enters the Netherlands.</p>
<p>I have to say I agree with Razor
Read Reading Lolita in Tehran- being covered up- is not something women necessarily choose voluntarily for themselves.</p>
<p>Listen, when I visit Cairo or Beirut, I am respectful and wear the robe of the country. I cover up more than I would in London unless it is very cold. When prayers are being sung out around noon in Amman, I am quiet. I have learned to wear the robe of whatever country I am visiting. When I am in Amsterdam, I don’t have to worry about it because no one cares. Obviously, someone is beginning to care there too. It is their country and their right.</p>