Should She Be Made To Remove Her Burkha?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2400844/Judge-orders-Muslim-woman-remove-burkha-court-appearance-bans-entering-plea-refuses.html

/// The woman, from Hackney, east London, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, ///

Surely not for legal reasons but because she is wearing that blooming Burkha?

[THECORBYLOON]

If there were no alternative but to remove the veil, I would agree that it should be removed but in this particular case there are other options. I think we will have to agree to differ and leave it until September to see what all is said then.

[naomi24]

But why should this woman be allowed to create inconvenience for anyone? This is a Court of Law and she should abide by the rules. No excuses.

[pixie373]

Exactly, Naomi. It should be the same for everyone.

[vulcan42]

Isn't not obeying a judges ruling contempt?

[THECORBYLOON]

Is it really inconvenient to just accept the word of a police officer?

[sandyRoe]

Perhaps the learned judge is acting in her best interests. If her jury was made up of some ABers the sight of her so modestly attired, in accordance with her religious beliefs, might provoke a guilty verdict without any need of evidence.

[pixie373]

Oooh! Harsh!

[zebo]

"modestly attired"? Would a paper bag over my head be acceptable if I wanted to be "modestly attired"? A motor-cyclist would be expected to remove his helmet, etc etc others who cover their heads, why should she be any different, there's no religious reason for her to be hiding her face.

[tamborine]

If burka full cover is 'modest' what is KKKlan cover?

[emmie]

something white men used as a way of not showing themselves when lynching black folk. This is a totally different scenario, this is a court of law, we must abide by the rules otherwise find ourselves in contempt of court. This whole stupid argument shouldn't even have come about, their rules, if you don't like it don't live here, born here or not. Pussyfooting around is right Naomi, no one will get the measure of this because they are scared to in case someone starts screaming my rights, what a total shambles. If she refused to remove the veil, then hold her in contempt of court. The French may have banned the Burkha, they haven't been able to stop women wearing it though.. those citizens think it's their rights without actually seeing that it should be law for all, not pick which bit you prefer to live by.

[sandyRoe]

Wasn't there a Sikh motorcyclist who succeeded in changing the law when he refused to wear a crash helmet instead of his turban?

[sandyRoe]

The law's there to serve the people. It's not the people who serve the law.

[emmie]

the law is there to protect us all, and if she wanted to make a stand about the wearing of the veil in court then do so in a legitimate manner, through her MP then onto the government.

In November 1976, Her Majesty the Queen gave her Royal Assent to a Bill to exempt turbanned Sikhs from having to wear crash-helmets when riding a motor-cycle: The motorcycle Crash-Helmets (Religious Exemption) Act, 1976.

[emmie]

quite frankly any motorcyclist not wearing a crash helmet is a fool, they may not protect you completely from head injuries, but you have a slightly better chance of keep your brains inside your head, instead of splattered on the road.

[kloofnek]

You know what they say...when in Rome do as the Romans do...so that means dressing like the people in the country they have chosen to live in.If they want to contunue dressing as their custom dictates...then stay in their own country.

[sandyRoe]

Emmie's mention of that bill shows that the law can change. It's not written in stone.

[tamborine]

Full cover has nowt to do with modesty but more to hide ID as KKK. Why the benchmark for modesty claimed by a burka?

[vetuste_ennemi]

The Sikh and the turban. That takes me back. If the law was changed then it was changed wrongly; nobody was forcing the Sikh to ride a motor cycle, were they?
I swear I can sense Sandy's voice lowering and his going all reverential on us when he uses the phrase "religious beliefs". I wonder what he finds to revere in the beliefs of the burka wearers.

[chrisgel]

Just 3 points that form a possible scenario.

1. I assume she wasn't wearing a burka when she allegedly committed the offence. Otherwise how was she identified.
2. I assume that she didn't kick up a fuss when she was arrested and photographed. Otherwise why didn't we hear about it.
3. She is 21 years of age and it seems that she is now a member of the strictest (Afghan) sect of muslims as she goes on trial.

Convenient?

[chrisgel]

Here's another

Counsel >>> Mr Smith is this the woman that intimidated you.
Mr Smith >>> Ummm!