The banning of the burqa would be even more un-British than the wearing of it
Posted on April 4, 2011On the day that France bans the burqa – thus becoming a state so draconian as to dictate what people can and cannot wear – it seems appropriate to repost one my earliest pieces on this site, weighing up whether a ban in Britain would be right.
It’s a tricky topic – often leading people who oppose a ban to falsely pretend they are entirely comfortable with an institution which in truth few people really are comfortable with. Britain’s position is all the more important now that proponents of the French ban are pointing across the Channel to warn that without it France could become like the UK.
So here’s the post. Let me know your thoughts.
Tags: Bans, burqa, France, Freedom, Islam, Liberty, London, multiculturalism, opinion, Paris, Philip Hollobone
Categories: Opinion
Interesting – like the original post.
I agree with you that the Niqab/Burka is something I’m uncomfortable with – but since when did “some people are uncomfortable with it” become a good reason for banning anything?
11.04.2011 13:43
I have no problem with the Burqa and think the banning of wearing any garment is not right.
If the garment is worn by choice I have no problem, a garment foisted on another who is uncomfortable with it, I am not.
Why is this post labelled 4th April btw?
11.04.2011 14:31
Odd, front page stream 11th April, where you fill in comments 4th April…
11.04.2011 14:37
I agree. We simply can’t ban a type of clothing and shouldn’t feel the need to. We already ban too many things already. Somehow we have to rediscover tolerance and to do that, we actually have to be tolerant.
11.04.2011 14:47
Can I wear my balaclava in the town centre? Whilst not having the ‘cuwsrul’ excuse it essentially amounts to the same thing.
I don’t like veils, niqabs, burqas, whatever you want to call them. But I would be more worried about banning them than not doing so.
Even so, it’s a terrible double standard.
11.04.2011 15:47
This one is a difficult question. We arrested the guy who tried to walk naked from John O’Groats to Land’s because it offended some people (not me, I just thought ‘twat.’
Likewise I don’t feel angry when I see a Muslim woman in a Niquab. I just think, if the so don’t want to be part of British society why are they here?
We should not ban them but we should stop the Politically Correct Thought Police policy of appeasement of Muslim extremists. Only using halal meat in school meals does offend me. I’d go as far as saying OK for Muslim children but don’t impose it on other faiths or non faith because any kitchem where pork has been used is ritually impure. The method of slaughter is barbaric and no part of our way of life.
11.04.2011 17:19
Why does any thinking sentient woman want to walk around in a tent? Its simply too absurd for words.
11.04.2011 18:59
@Barry, as long as it is a choice to wear a tent. You may wear Lycra cycle shorts, that is your choice as long as it is decent what’s the problem?
13.04.2011 12:10
By this definition Mark, the majority of Brits (in all the polls) who support a ban are un-British? Surely it is the British who define Britishness today?
11.04.2011 19:03
If we ban the burqa, how do we draft the legislation so it does not also ban a bridal veil; the niqab but not a muffler in cold weather or a facemask against the flu; the hijab but not our own dear Queen’s headscarf? It is one thing desiring an end but quite another drafting the legislation so that it achieves the desired end without unforseen consequences.
Will rag days end in court because the definition of a burqa does not exclude a gorilla suit?
13.04.2011 12:48
There are quite a few items of clothing that while not really illegal will get you thumped or sacked. Eg BNP badges, KKK wear, any Nazi wear, the wrong foot ball or gang colours
T shirts with ‘ inapropriate’ words on etc.
14.04.2011 01:00