Reply #11: I fall right in the middle on this one... what a dilemma... [View All]

[hlthe2b]

1. I don't believe in government dictating clothing choices (with some enforcement latitude for public nudity)

2. Conversely, I don't believe in forcing a woman to wear anything, including a burqa

3. I do believe that covering the face is quite different than wearing a general body covering or head scarf. The latter absolutely are protected. However, there are safety and security issues with full face covering. Banks, for instance do not allow you to enter with sunglasses or face coverings and many don't allow hats of any kind. My DMV, would not even allow me to have my license photo made with a neck scarf accessory that didn't hide anything, nor a hat. Certainly security checks require you to remove them. Further, there are personal safety issues with wearing that would preclude one having any peripheral vision. Even if women don't drive, they are quite vulnerable to pedestrian-car accidents, or to being mugged, given an inability to see who is around you.

4. I have traveled/worked throughout the ME and it is generally handled by female security staff in private areas where they are required to remove their facial coverings. Doing this in most western countries for the rare instances required would be difficult. In the absence of such checks, it would not prevent escaping felons (and men, in general) from escaping detection by wearing. Yet, disguises exist in many forms. So, this argument is countered by the fact that Hollywood-grade masks and disguises can be obtained that would clearly elude detection. So focusing on the burqa under this justification seems a stretch.

5. I firmly believe that full face covering (burqa) is a cultural issue. Every Muslim I ever worked with, who had actually read and studied the Koran confirmed to me that such extreme covering is not called for by Islam and that it stems from Bedouin customs meant to protect women from marauding strangers. Thus, I think it is largely, but not totally a decision pressed, if not enforced by men. There is language that calls for "modesty," but most believe there was never a religious intent on such extreme covering. I certainly support women who make the decision to wear the hijab (headscarf). I do believe women who voluntarily wear the hijab or other body coverings do so to adhere to "modesty" language called for in the Koran. However, there are some women who MAY make even THAT decision for themselves (e.g. to wear a burqa) and I have a real quandary with denying them that choice.

6. So, I am damned right in the middle, believing that for security and personal safety reasons that restriction against full facial covering (burqa) while making no restrictions on other forms of covering is, from a western view a "reasonable" compromise, if there is such a thing. However, on the opposite side, this compromise likewise means government stepping in to take away some personal freedoms and in this case, one that is gender-associated. That bothers me, even if by doing so, they are also sending a message to men who might seek to dominate women by likewise enforcing their wear.

Whew... France is going to be quite the test case. I'll leave it at that. :shrug: