Ban The Burka?

[vernonk]

Would you like to see the burka banned? I consider it a threat to national security, apart from anything else

[ummmm]

We rarely see the Burka where I live but when I went to Coventry for a funeral my son got Really freaked out by the amount of people wearing them.

[Mamyalynne]

I am not a fan of banning things as a rule.


If banning an item of clothing stopped atrocities, then maybe - but I rather doubt it would.

[B00]

"You should ask yourself (use words of one syllable if it makes it any easier :-) ) : "

I'd reply to that, but if you're gonna get sarcastic and infer im gormless, i'd rather not.

[boxtops]

agree with above - as yes, we'd have to ban people wearing balaclavas too.

[ChillDoubt]

It's for instances like this and similar, where criminals and terror suspects can evade arrest/capture or avoid recognition by Police:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2013/nov/04/terror-suspect-mohammed-ahmed-burqa-cctv-video

[sp1814]

I think that calling for a ban on the burkha (how many flipping ways is that word spelled?) by citing national security might be off target, because thus far, terrorists are quite happy to die for their cause.

I'm thinking that if a radicalised Muslim fundamentalist is going to commit an act of treason (for that's how I see 7/7 and the Paris attacks), then he (normally a bloke) will do it undisguised and in broad daylight.

[Psybbo]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2013/nov/04/terror-suspect-mohammed-ahmed-burqa-cctv-video

[fruitsalad]

I seem to remember a report about a teacher being ask not to wear a crucifix, and various other storys relating to wearing of a cross, why is wearing a cross a threat to security?? I think not, but wearing a veil across your face could well be, and yet both, are supposedly to do with religion.

[Psybbo]

Sorry, Chill you weren't there when I posted.

[ChillDoubt]

Just nipped in before you Psybbo!

[Mamyalynne]

Criminals have long used a disguise to evade capture- he could have worn a sombrero and shades and a caftan.

[humbersloop]

Yes

France, in this respect, takes a much more sophisticated approach than us because it's an explicitly secular society in public life and religious symbolism isn't acceptable - so forget all your handwringing about crucifix wearing by teaching assistants as well

frankly, dump all the weasel stuff about national security and recognisability, this is about the position of women - are they men's chattels or not?

[Prudie]

I don't think it should be banned as said already but there are places where full visible face without burkas or balaclavas etc should be enforced. However much you feel they should be allowed I can't believe anyone would not at least admit that just a pair of eyes looking out from an entirely robed figure is intimidating.

[ichkeria]

It's perfectly possible to have arrangements whereby people's facial features are visible on demand, without resorting to a law which would of course have to include all face coverings anywhere.
For example, it would be technically illegal to go for a run in cold weather in a balaclava, walk down the high street with your motor cycle helmet on, dress up as a giant panda etc etc
Half the runners in the London Marathon would have to be arrested :-)
The law in France is properly unenforceable. It also includes lots of other types of garments also including body suits, now unintentionally (and by that token culturally and religiously discriminatory)
We're in the realms of Monty Python here, not to mention Charlie Hebdo.
Yet oddly it hasn't caused as much protest as it might have done, probably partly because there weren't all that many burka wearers to start with and also because undoubtedly a blind eye (so to speak) is turned to the non-burka offenders (and by that token culturally and religiously discriminatory)

[ChillDoubt]

Seems Australia have the right idea. NOBODY should be exempt from immediate identification, even for a minor traffic offence:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/8617322/New-South-Wales-police-allowed-to-demand-removal-of-burkas.html

[BlackadderV]

As a child I wore a balaclava. It does not conceal the face, unlike a ski mask.

[sp1814]

I totally agree with humbersloop.

There are items of clothing that I personally do not like to see, but I wouldn't support a ban. To me, the idea of the burkha (and what is signifies) doesn't sit with my ideas of sexual equality.

It symbolises oppression and man's dominance over women.

[tonyav]

On my route to work I drive though an area with an high immigrant population and I often see women ( I think ) wearing Burkha's. Wouldn't be able to say whether it was the same woman that I see often though !.