Do you think the burqa should be banned?

My view is this, this is nothing to do with a will to restrict freedom of expression, nor to do with "British Culture", especially as part of our culture is to constantly evolve, and absorbing what's being brought to the UK, or anything - this is a pure observation. If you're not permitted to wear a motorcycle helmet, ski mask, balaclava, hooded tops, facial bandages or anything else obscuring your face in a UK public building, such as a bank, Post Office or Official Civil buldings (such as town halls or government offices), then why would an article of clothing that covers your face, which is neither compulsory or a fundamental part of Islam, be deemed acceptable? I find it even more confounding when people defending the right for people to wear a burqa in a public place then demand that if a ban was to be successful, then nuns must remove their habits and wimples, Sikhs to remove their turbans, Hindus not to sport a Tilaka or Bindi and orthodox Jews to remove their Kippa's - well there's one huge difference - none of those listed obscures one's face! They cannot even begin to be compared to the Burqa or Niqab. I never thought I would say this, but I am with the French here, you cannot allow preferential treatment for one form of obscuring one's face under the misguided banner of religion - as long as it is the "right" religion - and treat everyone else differently. Lets not forget that there are well publicised cases of Jedis who have been booted out of Tescos because their robes cover their faces, considering that Jedi is the third most declared religion in the 2001 UK cencus, yet women in burqa's are allowed to shop there hassle free - is that not religious inequality in action? I am sure if I wandered into Lloyds TSB dressed up like a ninja, Jedi or in my motorcycle leathers (including helmet) I would be asked to remove my headgear, so why should the same not apply to someone wearing a niqab or burqa? Remember, the Qu'ran asks for a woman to be dressed modestly - not covered from head to toe - even Egypt's (a conservative Muslim country) top Muslim cleric agrees that the Niqab and Burqa are not part of Islam, so these are articles which are worn sometimes through choice, and not just oppression. If, in the UK, we are supposed to be in a society where everyone is equal, it is one of pur most sacred value, as well as tolerance and respect. If this is the case, then surely the UK should get some sort of backbone and ensure that EVERYONE should enter banks, public buildings and shops etc with the same condition that their face is on display, and NOT allow special rules for those who CHOOSE (yes, I say choose, because as previously stated, the Burqa and niqab are not, I repeat, NOT compulsory for Muslim women to wear) to obscure their face because they fear having the race card waved at them. I am by no means suggesting that there should be a blanket ban on burqas or niqabs, just a level playing field for EVERYONE.

Alright, being that I'm also Australian, I'll give you my thoughts on banning it in Australia. Banning it for security reasons down here is like putting an old sock in an iron safe, no one cares enough about Australia to ever want to attack it, and those that would have far more sinister methods of hiding explosives and other weapons. It all comes down to Australia's irrational fear of Islam, shows like A Current Affair over-dramatize Islam to the point of making all of it's followers look like violent, hateful terrorists which unfortunately leads to a lot of Australians believing that every follower of Islam wants to destroy us, which just isn't the case. The burqa is simply a piece of religious apparel, and as a country which prides itself on freedom, banning such a thing goes against everything we supposedly stand for.

What I think is the best part here is that even though you live in a place where the burqa is not a must, you have shown interest in knowing what people think about this issue. This is definitely a healthy discussion only and there is no need for anyone to offend any other reader. Personally, I think there is no need to cause any type of furore over this issue. As another friend has commented here, it is entirely the choice of the women to adopt the traditions like the burqa or not. If she feels comfortable wearing it, let her continue. The contrary should also be tolerated. They should be given an opportunity to come out of the traditional shell if they are willing to. I want to just stress on the importance of giving full freedom to women and just emphasizing that they should be modest and not provoke anyone's attention. After all, when they are alone or go out alone, they face so many risks that evading the prying eyes of men becomes a formidable task. I think liberation does not mean compromising on modesty!

I think it depends where in the world you are. In some places where i have travelled, i believe a burqa can be a good means of protection for women ( you wouldn't believe how creepy some men can be). However, in the West for instance, the burqa is viewed with suspicion, so perhaps it would be better for women not to wear it. It can affect communication. However, at the end of the day, a woman is entitled to wear whatever she likes, and if she feels comfortable in it, then good for her. Personally, I do believe in modesty, but I also believe that our faces are an important part of our identity.

I absolutely do not agree, because for every "ban the burqa" argument I've heard they say that they want to do it because the MEN are forcing the women to wear it so "for the sake of democracy" we need to LIBERATE them by banning it! Um, hello? The women continue to say - nay, SCREAM - they CHOOSE to wear the burqa. If this is the case, as I believe it to be, then is forcing them to not wear it would be a total hypocrisy, it wouldn't make any sense! I mean, you can wear whatever you want, and you can say almost anything you want and that's the beauty of a FREE COUNTRY. If i can walk down the street and see red necks with shirts that swear or say disgusting things, why can't we accept people who choose to wear things that are a bit different to what we consider 'normal'? I think France, who is the main supporter, is ridiculous as they have the largest number of Muslims in western Europe. Even though only a small percentage of Muslims wear the full body cover. I think the french leaders are being so narrow minded and racist, they are fear mongering their people and Sarkozy is quoted in saying how he doesn't want to tolerate the burka anymore, and how tolerant does the french people have to be? Anyway i say LEAVE them alone, their not hurting anyone or making anyone wear them, just accept their ways.

What country are you in? In terms of Britain, I don't think it should be banned. I can understand why people would want it banned though. But I think banning it here would go against the morals (or the morals we like to promote) in this county.

Yes,it should be banned. The Burqa reduces women to the level of cattle.

I don't wish to offend, but I want to be honest about how I feel in this western world. I have seen the burqa worn only once. I felt like avoiding that person like the plague. I didn't know if it was a woman or a man, carrying a gun or a knife. I respect people but in my respect I react in my suspicions. We are not primal animals here. If you wear clothes with the normal (western) cover up, no one's going to attack you. There is not any thing taken as sinful. In fact, you might get a pleasant comment that will make you feel warm towards your fellow man (human race). Instead, wearing a burqa creates tension and the desire not to treat that one wearing it as worthy of friendship as an acquaintance or as an equal (woman's lib). No, I don't believe in banning things because sooner or later the ban will be also on costumes as well...and there goes my favorite holiday.