Just the word alone attracts much attention. Discussion related to the Burqa, is not only a religious issue but also becomes a political issue (Just to name two).
It is my experience that many people do not understand the definition of a burqa. It is, simply, an outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their bodies in public places. Confusion exists in the use of words such as, hijab and niqab. These are individual parts of the burqa — the hijab being a head covering, and the niqab being a face covering (or veil).
I can see little reason to be offended by a woman wearing a burqa that does not have the niqab. In fact, some European women, in the summer, may wear a Indian sari as an evening dress, even though they have no knowledge of Islam. The sari being little more than a burqa with the hijab and niqab removed.
It is interesting to note that all women are asked to cover their heads with a scarf, as a matter of respect, when entering churches and cathedrals. Yet, ironically, some of those women, would still be critical of Muslims wearing a simple burqa.
The wearing of a niqab in public is the most controversial aspect of this discussion because a liberal interpretation of the Koran fails to convince most people that God (Allah) commanded that women must be completely covered. In addition, it is recorded that Mohammed said that both women and men should “dress and behave modestly in public.” This is a tradition that happened long before Islam, and should be interpreted according to today’s normal behaviour.
I read that a Muslim cleric had stated that women must wear a niqab because when a man looks at a woman’s body he looks, first, at her face. This is ridiculous because all things being equal, in other words, when a man has the opportunity to look at a woman’s naked body, the face is not the initial attraction.
Therefore, it is not surprising that countries are beginning to seriously consider banning the niqab (France has already done so) with arguments against being made by men and women indoctrinated by unfortunately biassed, and bigoted, interpretations of the Koran.
Discussion related to health matters or assimilation into other societies would be something to include at another time.
Your thoughts on appropriate dress are interesting and what people wear or do for that matter is strictly cultural. Allah or God as such a being is usually imagined does not exist except in the world of fantasy. Therefore Allah did not prescribe what women should or should not do or wear. Whoever wrote the Quran decided that and Imams and the black beards have decreed whatever they wanted through the ages
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent response, and I totally agree with you. I should have written, '... the Qur’an fails to convince most people that God (Allah) is believed to have' commanded that women must be completely covered', according to self-serving Imams.
ReplyDeleteFew weeks ago, I read a local newspaper said show me your face to Muslim ladies in Australia. I totally agree with that if Muslim ladies would have equal rights with men from their dressing. I don't think covering their ladies is mean by God, rather than it is a sort of male chauvinism. In the ancient China, according to the Buddhism, monks are not allowed to eat meat because the kingdom is hard to control the Buddhists who have Kung Fu and they have become a large group in the society.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, with Falun Gong, today.
ReplyDeleteWomen are valuable commodities in many societies because they perform difficult work, produce heirs, and when dowries are paid they bring wealth to the family. We understand there is a shortage of young females in China due to the one family policy. The value of women must increase and families with a girl child may want to protect her from ravenous men who may despoil her and reduce her value. There may soon be a new market for burqa's in the Middle Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteAh, China (the Middle Kingdom). I can't wait for a Chinese response.
ReplyDeleteActually, a few Uyghur women in the northeastern area wear the burqa but, contrary to the belief of the government, they aren't Chinese. But it is not a problem for the police who say, "Show me your face ... or I shoot."
I don’t believe Chinese young ladies will need a burqa any time, because the young girls especially who born after 1990’s are extremely independent and confident to face any challenge from the society and their family. Although the most girls have been spoiled with housework at home, they had more opportunities to have good education, to know new technology, to learn new things and to see the whole world. So they will be very smart to fail those men who may despoil her and reduce her value. On this sense, it will be a unique opportunity for Chinese women to win absolutely respects and equal rights in the future.
ReplyDeleteAlso, reviewing the economic development, China has won its reputation in this world. It is a middle kingdom or it will be a leader, we will know soon.
Personally, I don’t mind what people would like to wear and what they believe as long as they are being responsible and kind to the society. I believe this is the judgment of Chinese policemen. People ask for “show me your face” as same as in Australia, because the security reason. For example, if I wear a burqa to robber somebody, no one can see my face and nobody can touch me. It sounds a sort of protection.
ReplyDeleteWe are led to believe that there are two reasons (or should that be excuses) for the wearing of the burqa. Firstly, because the Imams and blackbeards decree it as an essential display of modesty, knowing that men must be protected from their lustful fantasies. Then, some women, not only believe the words of the Iman (not Mohammed) but enjoy the anonymity that it affords. Which, if you think about it, is quite ironic because we can be certain that burqa-wearing women also have fantasies when they look at men ... or could that be wishful thinking. Thus, the appearance of an Imam wearing a burqa would be quite a revelation.
ReplyDeleteAnnie has an interesting perspective on wearing the burqa. I have seen comments in local papers by Muslim women who say they feel safe when they wear the burqa while on the street in Toronto. They may be insecure in their own selves or they may be constrained by the men in their family. We do not know. In our province women are free to wear a burqa or to go topless if they wish. Those are the extremes and most women chose stylishly modest clothing much like the women in Beijing. Bless them.
ReplyDelete" In our province women are free to go ... topless if they wish."
ReplyDeleteIs that a matter of interpretation?
The court ruled that if men can go topless then women can go topless too. A young woman in Guelph was charged for doing so but the judge ruled discrimination and discharged the case. The judgment still stands.
ReplyDeleteThat's why Canada is a great country. Freedom of choice, although the judgment applies in Ontario.
Wow! I wonder if tourism will improve?
ReplyDeleteJohn had an interesting comment last week regarding women are free to wear even topless if they wish in his province. I totally agree with people have freedom of choice, believes and clothing. However, why no one choose to naked in the public? That’s because the awareness of civilization.
ReplyDeleteIn this world, although freedom is important to everyone, being responsible to our community would be an obligation. Many criminal cases happened in many countries regarding women who wear the Burqa, nobody can stop them and no one knows what they look like. I heard about some cases when I was travelling in Malaysia and, Australia also said “show me your face” on a local newspaper. Therefore, wearing a Burqa is not only a religion issue, but also a security problem.
Being with a religion, in some cases, it helps people to be kind to the community, grateful what you have and concern those people who need help, rather than if you don’t cover your face, I will kill you.
Hello Annie. I am pleased you commented on my comments.
ReplyDeleteI certainly do not expect to see men or women in public places bare chested even if they are free to do so. Society has certain expectations and most of us abide by them.
In most western democratic countries people are free to practice their religion but we do not think of it as a security issue. I really don't understand what you mean and why someone would kill you for it.
Many people come from places where religious and other practices are different from what is normal here. They often follow those practices for a generation but their children or their grandchildren eventually adopt the ways of the larger society. It is true that people in general are not happy to see someone in a Burqa and only a few people are ever seen in public covered in one. I have not seen one except when I visited the Middle East a few years ago.
Annie; The news about Australia's treatment of the 'boat people' has only just arrived in today's Canadian press ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/02/australia-youtube-refugees_n_915866.html?ir=Canada ). Personally, I believe that the arrest and deportation of these people is necessary in order to have a fair 'playing field', otherwise, the criminals who prey on them for thousands of dollars, will continue with their activities at an increasing rate — It seems that Canada will try to follow Australia's example but we will, probably, need to amend our Constitution first.
ReplyDeleteThere is a comment that Australia only accepts 0.5% of the world's refugees, as if to suggest that they do more — one could argue that other countries accept too many.
Finally, this subject ought to continue in the Multiculturalism blog.
John; I am quite surprised that you have never seen anyone wearing a Burqa in Canada.
ReplyDeleteI have read this news and I also read more information regarding the boat people last year because we had a subject of translation for refugees. Actually, I do agree with you to arrest and deport these people if it is necessary. It is really dangerous for those people come to Australia by a little boat. On the other hand, as you said they will pay for lots of money to those people who called “snake head”.
ReplyDeleteImagining that even they come to Australia safely and applying for the status of refugee will take a long time. Most of them will be abused by greedy business owners who pay them lowest wages. Or even they get the status of refugee but the dole is limited.
One must not forget that this is also known as 'queue jumping'. Which is very unfair for the honest refugee seekers who may have been waiting for more than a year.
ReplyDeleteThe question of government social assistance payments (dole) is usually calculated at subsistence levels, but why should it be anymore?
Note that the honest refugees who wait in refugee camps before obtaining a visa, arrive, finally, as immigrants (not refugees) and, therefore, are permitted to work. Only the illegal boat people are not permitted to work. A sad fact of life.
Please continue the subject of immigration within 'Multiculturalism'.
ReplyDelete