Should wearing a burqa be banned in the UK?

Yes it should be banned. In many cases they are very dangerous. Go to Leicester and see the women driving around in great big 4 x 4s with full face coverings and just a slit to see through. You can’t tell me that’s safe.

I think that if a woman chooses to wear a burqa it is entirely a matter of her choice. However, if she is coerced or bullied into doing so it is another matter entirely but only the re-education of both sexes could improve this practice. As for banning it in public, it should only be banned in places where facial recognition is essential such as banks and airports.

Galaxy

I don't know what I feel about banning, a number of countries do it, I suppose I would want to know if that has improved the situation for women in those countries. And of course there is the thorny question about governments deciding what people can wear. However the idea that it is a free choice for many women is a murky idea. That reminds me of choicey choice feminism which says of course it is womens choice to take part in prostitution etc, it doesnt take into consideration structures of power, disadvantage, etc

That reminds me of choicey choice feminism which says of course it is womens choice to take part in prostitution etc, it doesnt take into consideration structures of power, disadvantage, etc

My sentiments exactly.

But, an outright ban - no.

Primrose53

Yes it should be banned. In many cases they are very dangerous. Go to Leicester and see the women driving around in great big 4 x 4s with full face coverings and just a slit to see through. You can’t tell me that’s safe.

Very true, not safe, but maybe ban all face coverings for driving.

Simply make it a DVLA ruling. so everyone in "same boat" not picked on.

I was astounded that my friends husband was still able to drive after loosing an eye.

I felt sure that his driving must be less safe. But the DVLA. Said no problem.

If UAE bans them why can't we?

Yes, most definitely.

I feel very uncomfortable with people having their faces covered albeit also feeling uncomfortable with banning it. I remember being in IKEA many years ago and a man was walking round with several women, all with their faces covered. They seemed to be behaving in a very subservient way and I found it very unnerving. Given that it was such a long time ago I’m surprised at how vivid it is in my mind.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Absolutely not. Honestly, how far would you go? Nuns cover their hair for religious reasons. Would you ban that too? I am so surprised by this question that I can’t formulate a neat answer! We live in a society with free speech, freedom to worship etc., etc.

Yes, but with nuns, you can still see their faces. A burka makes that impossible.
Whatever happened to, ‘when in Rome….’?

Aveline

If UAE bans them why can't we?

The UAE has never banned the burqa

I think that what we need to decide as a country is what we are trying to achieve.

Once that is decided then I think decisions will flow from there.

You cannot even enter most shops and supermarkets if you are wearing a full face crash helmet.

A few years ago there was a team of people wearing full black gowns and burkhas going around large supermarkets and stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods. We need to be able to see who we are dealing with!

Would a ban from various public spaces merely serve to stop some Muslim women from entering these places?

Defeats the object I think.

I think there’s less integration by insistence on wearing it. What they do in their own homes is up to them. In public it is dehumanising and intimidating and, as others have said, easy to disguise those who wish us harm. My belief is if people come to this country they shouldn’t be setting up enclaves that mirror where they came from. They should integrate. Many don’t and never will.

Take faith out of the equation and just consider how women dress.

We are all conforming and controlled in one way or another. We think we are making a free choice but most of the time we aren’t.

Often we are trying to look good to please someone else or to conform to a dress code. Just look at how many threads we see here from women needing to dress for an occasion but feeling uncomfortable about what they think they are obliged to wear.

Ultimately, we are driven by what the shops stock, which is driven by the fashion industry, which is dominated by men. It is men telling us all what we can and can't wear.

Whether it's driven by faith or commercialism we are all being controlled.

I have to admit that I struggle a little with this.

If we go to another country then I believe that most of us would follow the cultural norms / rules for that country - should we not have that view here?

Are we removing a choice from those who want to wear such an item?

If we are to ban the Burka...will we also ban the balaclavas and face covering a lot of the young thugs are wearing, potentially far more problematic in my view!

Crossstitchfan

Ladyleftfieldlover

Absolutely not. Honestly, how far would you go? Nuns cover their hair for religious reasons. Would you ban that too? I am so surprised by this question that I can’t formulate a neat answer! We live in a society with free speech, freedom to worship etc., etc.

Yes, but with nuns, you can still see their faces. A burka makes that impossible.
Whatever happened to, ‘when in Rome….’?

Yes, but with nuns, you can still see their faces. A burka makes that impossible.

I believe that's the 'thorny' bit.

If you think about it in the abstract, covering one's face unless shielding from a sand-storm, hail-stones - or a condition like xeroderma pigmentosum, is not the norm for humans, women or men.

So we are left with the question of culture / religion. How far do we allow the State to interfere with this?

Then there is, also, the matter of personal freedom of choice - are some women being forced to wear the burka against their will? And, if they are then this is a problem because it's coercion. In the UK, coercion / controlling behaviour is now a crime.

This is where multi-culturalism shows its cracks. In theory no woman should be compelled either by her husband or family to wear the burka. But, who is going to make that challenge?

Yes because I feel it is not in line with our ethos. If a motorcyclist wearing a full faced helmet is unable to enter a shop without removing it then it should apply to all people wearing full facial coverings.
But then my situation is biased - as a deaf person - COVID was my worse nightmare as I couldn't read peoples' faces when they were wearing face masks. The same applies to the burqa, helmet etc etc etc.

Aveline

If UAE bans them why can't we?

Hang on a moment - you have produced the most extreme burka as an example for effect?

There is the rectangular opening for eye area instead which I've seen not that full on one. It matters a great deal the difference as the rectangular opening isnt so different from mentions of Covid masks and people who've to wear a mask now for protection.

I wouldn’t ban unless they refused to reveal their face for identification. All the same I find it a bit daunting to be faced with this, not knowing what’s underneath.
I never do parents interviews with parents whose faces I can’t see, but I’ve never had problems with saying that.

I think what value do these people bring to the UK? Nothing as far as I can see. Just problems.

Who are " these people"

Please answer, Thanks

Primrose53

Yes it should be banned. In many cases they are very dangerous. Go to Leicester and see the women driving around in great big 4 x 4s with full face coverings and just a slit to see through. You can’t tell me that’s safe.

Is it the garment, the car or the people in Leicester that cause you such concern please?

Wyllow3

Aveline

If UAE bans them why can't we?

Hang on a moment - you have produced the most extreme burka as an example for effect?

There is the rectangular opening for eye area instead which I've seen not that full on one. It matters a great deal the difference as the rectangular opening isnt so different from mentions of Covid masks and people who've to wear a mask now for protection.

The UAE does not ban the burqa or the battoulah

“We don’t know who’s underneath.”
Male/female? We have no idea.
To me that’s the crux of the matter, so yes I would be in favour of a ban on the wearing of these all covering garments.