Niqab/burqa ban in Netherlands

Some of these remarks are Racist. I admit to finding anyone with their face completely covered a bit unnerving. For instance, recently, when in the supermarket car park, a man in full biker gear leapt up behind me and grabbed my shopping bags. I was somewhat alarmed until he spoke and I recognised the voice of one of my DD's friends, gallantly assisting an elderly friend to load heavy shopping into the boot. I asked him 'Are you in there Bob? and he immediately removed his helmet and goggles and apologised for giving me a fright.

I still remember the film about Ned Kelly, which gave me nightmares, with Ned in his home made 'helmet' with only a slit for his eyes. I suppose therefore that there is an inbuilt human reaction of distrust to fellow humans whose faces we cannot see.

On the other hand, there has never been a fuss or campaign against people covering their faces e.g welders, beekeepers, people with disfigurements or sunlight allergies, brides, wearers of veiled hats etc, which IMO makes the current fuss about Niqab/burqa wearers undoubtedly racist.

They might be better to ban the barely-dressed sex workers in the Red Light district of Amsterdam. How shameful is that to have as a major tourist attraction.

This is what I would call an uncomfortable atmosphere, not three women minding their own business who came into view.

Are there rules in the Netherlands about how women dress apart from this one on the niqab and burqa? Of course not. It is not for any governments to decide what women may or may not wear. There may be occasions when it is important for a woman's face to be exposed for reasons of safety, security or something else, but otherwise, if she chooses to keep her face covered, that is her choice.

To suggest that people from another country, whether immigrants or tourists, should abide by a vague dress code, is racist in the extreme. Did Brits wear saris in colonial India? I don't think so.

I would have felt really uncomfortable too.

I don't think it is right anyone can go around covered from head to foot, especially nowadays.

You just never know who is hiding behind there!

Well, how strange. I don’t think it is anyone’s business how someone dresses or how they look, to be so concerned about this suggests you have too much time on your hands. To be so worried about such things will do you no good at all.

I think the point,Scentia is that, in the West, we do not cover our faces unless we are intent on criminal activity. Therefore we feel uncomfortable around people who DO have their faces covered.

What an odd thread, what have any of the posts got to do with the title of the thread. I am sensing some rather uneducated and racist comments here. Newquay, what is the point of your thread?

Of course it can, if it wants to.Hasn’t France already banned it?

The Netherlands can ban it.

Bit patronising there NotSpaghetti.

Wouldn't have been uncomfortable for me. Why would it? I would have felt sorry for the women, but that's all.

The Netherlands can't ban it.

But Newquay, how lovely to see them out and about enjoying the countryside and the tea shop.

Why was it uncomfortable for you? Could you not as Paddyann suggested just smiled and nodded in acknowlement. I don't agree in the covering up but underneath they are human beings and I see no reason to fear them.

Newquay surely to dont believe everyone who dresses differently from you is a terrorist? Thats plain ridiculous.
This type of subconcious racism is shocking !

why would she have been terrified? She was there for an appointment with her husband/partner for support .What she or he was wearing isn't relevant .
I see the gynaecologist on a regular basis .many young men go into consultations with their wives..not just men in Afghani clothes whatever they are .My last appointment there was a chinese couple and several local couples that I've known /seen around the town for years

Or, they could have been newly arrived, and afraid.

You could have smiled and said hello.

I still haven't worked out my feelings as to what I saw in the Gynaecology dept at my local hospital.
I was in the waiting room and a couple came in.
She was wearing the blue completely covered including face that the Afghan women wear.
He was also dressed in Afghan style.
I had many feelings that day but the over riding one was of sadness: she must have been terrified.
Added to the fact that her husband went into the consulting room with her.

Being totally covered up is not a religious ‘need’ but is cutural, certain Muslim countries go in for it.If they are tourists ( from those countries) visiting the West, that’s one thing, if they are living in a Western country, then they have to abide by that country’s dress codes.
Women can’t fully take part in anything totally covered up and in certain situations it should be banned IMHO.

Do you live in the Netherlands?