The Burka....

great! I'll upload some photos for him on flickr as well... he can use them in his next book, I won't hold the copyright!

but exit I want to be saved, isn't it his duty to save us all as we are his children?? If he did tweet then I could follow his thoughts each day and maybe he could post his top 10 followers each day....

This is not an easy question but and interesting one. Basically people should be allowed to wear what they want, within reason. The thing is we have a big problem today with terrorism (largely our own fault, I would add) and the enemy now is a faith-based one. Muslim dress is being adopted by some, I think, as a symbol of resistance to the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and Western domination of the Muslim world in general and/or as some kind of resistance to the success of Western values in creating much more dynamic societies and economies but undermining traditional values. I can sympathise with all this to some degree; but in Europe we have succeeded in creating thriving liberal, enlightened and secular societies that interpret outward signs of religious adherence or belief as backward, unenlightened, superstitious and simply out of place in our modern, tolerant and free societies that have succeeded in creating equality under law and in thought for both sexes, sexual orientations, freedom of political views, free press, free thinking etc; nothing is beyond scrutiny nor is anything accepted on authoritarian grounds (religious, political or whatever else). Modern Europe does not appreciate all this hard won achievement (it is now very much our culture) being undermined or challenged by a minority who seem to want to live in something resembling the Dark Ages or medieval Europe.

Why does not God talk to us? Does he tweet?

don't worry when u die u will know what GOD's wearing..that is if u will go to heaven otherwise u will see the other one below maybe he's naked.=)

What does God wear? We are made in his image so I will wear the same.

" v_2abdun said Dottie, Hijab is not just for women but men too ...

Dottie , I want to pick on your posting because majority of them like you think that Hijab is for women only…

In Islam,Hijab applies to Muslim men as much as women.

It states the requirements for a Muslim man should not wear tight, sheer, revealing, or eye-catching clothing and The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze."

If this is the case.... there are going to be a lot of men walking into walls;-)

Someone mentioned earlier about South Asian Muslims being so much more radical... strange, but I have thought this myself a few times.

Coming from a western country and living here in the M-E, my sense of dress has not changed - I still wear jeans and t-shirt on a daily basis - and here in Doha I attract far more attention than I ever did in my own country. Where I come from men carry on their own business and don't bother looking at women walking down the street - but here they will follow you - I am not the only one to have experienced this - I have Qatari lady friends that have the same problem and they are covered from head to toe - please explain this to me.

It would seem to me, it doesn't matter what you wear, you will always attract male attention in these countries - personally i think it has more to do with the segregation of men and women as opposed to what they are wearing - if men and women were allowed to mix, you would find men would be far less inclinded to leer, as it would be something they had seen before and would be no longer a mystery to them.

"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME

visit www.qaws.org

Middle East and South Asian women are covered up and hid from view... how shameful

plzz stop all ths..no 1 ve a rite 2 talk abt any1 religion without enough knowledge.. v muslims like burqas & its apart of our religion so wats da prblm wid da ppl of other religion.. if thy dnt like it no 1 will force thm 2 obey..but my question iz t8 y da govt of uk or france force our respected muslim sisters not 2 wear hijab or burkas..here in qatar & in gulf 1000's of non muslim womens live if govt of thez countries force them 2 wear burqa or hijab thn wat will they do..

update european people are acceptable to be topless how shameful,

now say mr who are not agree with burqa or let ur wife to be topless.....lol

@ messymiss,if you'd be so kind as to actually read my reply before commenting...i didn't say anything about me recognizing or wanting to recognize these women, i spoke about it as a security issue & an educational one...for security reasons,a person's face(whoever that person may be,male or female,muslim or any other religion,that's immaterial) must be visible,how else does a security agent identify who is behind that burqa???.. & as for education,to repeat myself,a teacher's face especially a language teacher's,must be visible to the student for the student to fully comprehend pronunciation as well as phoenetics,there is no alternative to that...and FYI,i personally don't know & don't wish to know any burqa wearing women,i have a fair number of women friends apart from my wife,mother & sister some of whom i've known for years & there are muslim women amongst those friends & some of them wear a headscarf but no burqa wearing variety,i'd like to keep it that way,so in answer to your inane question,neither do i want to nor do i need to know any burqa-wearing women,that's their choice or they have to wear it,either way,that's not my business,i just don't want to or need to know any of 'em...hopefully this clarifies my stand point?...

I think that the Europeans, and particularly the native British, have assimilated themselves to Islam very well, and thanks to their sacred institutions of political correctness...

Europe has become a sad sad place to live these days?

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

On one hand you say let them feel free and wear whatever they want,so why not Burqa,why double standards??

Tell me how many women take up the civil engineering discipline?Probably there is a reason for it to be the most male dominated engineering field.Even if women take up this, they prefer to stay out of the field job.Anyway to respond to your question, dont you think she will be better of in a Hijab?covered?

Mandilulur,

I agree with what you said, what terms exactly are we talking about? If this gets clear,it will perhaps lead to a better insights into this provocative topic.

The women In Islam religion is very value and not everybody can see her, same as pearl with the cover ,and she can show her pretty to her husband only ,and at Qatar the request wearing decent close to protect her from the bad looks of the men and maybe get hurts .

Dear all

Don't be hardliner on the matter of burkha.just answer my question

How a lady civil engineer can work on site in Burka ?

so,be cool and change yourself according to requirement of time.

as we are arguing for the same right for women.so let them fell free, watever they want . provide same oppurtinity as men.

Can we define terms here? What exactly are we talking about? Hijab - the headscarf? Niqab - the veiling of the lower part of the face? Chador - the complete covering from top to toe with a screen for the eyes? Aren't they very different concepts? Before we argue, let's agree on terms.

Mandi

Dottie , I want to pick on your posting because majority of them like you think that Hijab is for women only…

In Islam,Hijab applies to Muslim men as much as women.

It states the requirements for a Muslim man should not wear tight, sheer, revealing, or eye-catching clothing and The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) mentions ‘hijab’ for men even before ‘hijab’ for the women.

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.” [Al-Qur’an 24:30]

And you say and I quote “men are men, and will harass and abuse women no matter what clothes they are wearing” –

Exactly this is how men used to treat women right from time immemorial.Take the history, read the ancient civilizations(Babylonian civilization, Greek civilization, Roman civilization, Egyptian civilization, Pre-Islamic Arabia)and you would learn that undoubtedly in each of these eras, women were degraded and used as objects of lust to the extent that they were denied basic human dignity and also very often when a female was born she was buried alive.

Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years ago.

Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour. Take the statistics of rape cases between say USA and compare it with Saudi Arabia and you will realize.

Undoubtedly Hijab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.

to gadarene:

y would u want to recognize ny1 in da first place except ur sister, mother or wife?

it doesn't matter if u can't recognize them but what matters is if they can!

Pay peanuts & you get Monkeys

Should they ban burka? On one level, of course not. Anyone should wear what they want. In Europe, pretty much all the people do this. Hence from that framework, it seems intolerant and irrational to dictate the individual's clothing. Whereas in the Middle East, and Qatar, it is a question of complying with the demands of the political ideology of Islam. It is clearly noted that in countries where this ideology is dominant, people are not permitted the liberty of choosing their own clothes but instead are forced and sometimes even coerced into following such precise rules, even though they played no part in creating them.

Islam is - obviously - a religion, but it is also politics. It is a world view, a system of government, governance and foreign policy and it has reached the level of protection that it has through a kind of Trojan horse loophole, such as this:

"Hey guys, it's just a religion (think prayers, forgiveness and doing good deeds) and isn't everyone entitled to their religion?"

Sure they are.

But then actually it's also a system of taxation, inheritance, law, foreign policy and gender apartheid with strict red lines around acceptable topics for discussion which are enforced with riots on the streets and the burning of embassies.

It is also clear from examples from around the world that once the ideology becomes dominant and entrenched, the type of arguments used to enforce it dramatically shift - no longer are we trying to accommodate difference and multi-cultural minorities, now it is 'an Islamic country' and everyone must respect these values. What's more, no country in the history of the last 1400 years that became a Muslim country ever reverted to becoming a non-Muslim one.

I think that the Europeans, and particularly the native British, have assimilated themselves to Islam very well, and thanks to their sacred institutions of political correctness, in maybe 30 years or so their assimilation to these values will be pretty much complete: halal food in all schools, pork off the menu for everyone, alcohol restricted to non-Muslim areas only and not on Islamic holidays or Ramadan for instance, Islamic holidays being turned into bank holidays, that sort of thing.

Because practically no-one has the courage to stand up and say these things (don't want to be called a racist!!!), or try to defend the way of life and traditions they grew up with, (after all everything exotic is GOOD in our post-colonial world, and everything of our own is BAD) it's really only now about a shift in population demographic. That's the only thing standing in its way. And these attempts to ban the burka are therefore mostly drastic last-ditch attempts to stop the spread of an ideology which is spreading at an accelerated rate through Europe. Islam conceives of individual liberty in a way that is fundamentally different to the way that post-Enlightenment Europe does. And because of the Trojan horse nature of the whole thing, how can the Europeans speak of banning burkas and keep a straight face? They were the ones who preached freedom of the individual in the first place, for goodness sake!

The next 100 years of Europe will be very different to the last 100 and this burka banning nonsense is the metaphorical locking the door after the horse has bolted. My bet is over time you'll find colonies of middle class elite Europeans types popping up as new immigrants in places like Miami, New York and Buenos Aires, with those left behind being represented increasingly by the BNP and other far-right organisations whose intentions are dark, to say the least. Indeed the permanent exodus of middle class Dutch from Amsterdam who are uncomfortable with the Islamification of their society is reaching 300 or so every single day. Rather than winning the argument and risking being called a racist, it's easier to get on the plane I suppose. So Amsterdam, the city of Easy Virtue, maybe not so easy for much longer!

So the question still stands. Should they ban the burka?

People should be free to wear what they want...if women choose to wear a burqa out of choice,so be it BUT they shouldn't be forced to wear it & i don't think we need to debate/argue the fact that a LOT of women are forced to wear it,so the issue is about this being forced on women against their will...the 2nd issue i feel is equally serious in today's troubled times,i.e the fact that it is impossible to identify someone wearing a burqa,that's a security issue,plain & simple,how do you identify someone whose face you can't see?...& it isn't just about security,burqa wearing women who teach is another issue,especially those that teach language,it is obviously impossible to get the correct pronunciation,phoenetics across to the child when the teacher's face is covered because that's what the child needs to see to learn correct pronunciation & there are other issues of a similar nature which show that a burqa impedes normal functioning so as much as i agree that women should be allowed to wear what they want,a burqa hampers normal functioning in civilised society today,that's the fact of the matter,should a burqa therefore be banned? that's not my call to make but the governments that are doing so are with the above & more reasons as justification so the ball's in their court until someone can find a solution that appeases both the pro & anti-burqa lobby...

the final decision (on whatever should be worn)should be by the woman concerned..not dictated by the state or even any religion..

if wearing one makes a lady happier..good for them..same for the ones who feel it is something that repesses..let them not wear..the problem is when the fanatics get all crazy n forcibly enforce bcos relgion sez so.. it like in saudi or iran..

in my opinion,the burka started being imposed on women by insecure men n religion is used to justify it..

i don't know why but observing a couple couldn't possibly mean the entire population is alike. I mean thousands of drunken husbands beat up their wifes doesn't mean the entire western population is like that. I mean not all men don't force us to wear abaya...many r infact forced not to wear!

as for the next part -maybe men don't have to cover coz they don't have to wear swim suit while swimmin but ladies do (except topless beaches ofcourse)!

Pay peanuts & you get Monkeys

Here we go again................live and let live. Don't get angry with others for having a different viewpoint or opinion from you, that's what freedom of speech is all about. I personally think the burqa is an oppressive garment, designed by men to subjugate women. Cover hair, legs, arms, etc, etc, stay chaste and pure. Why don't the men have to cover up too? Won't the sight of their hair, faces, ankles, etc drive us women mad with passion and desire??

And don't give me that old chestnut it's because it protects women - men are men, and will harass and abuse women no matter what clothes they are wearing. It's got nothing to do with clothes, it's about the individual's moral code. Simple.

Thank you curious, us Europeans are not all child killers and rapists because of our culture and the way we dress!

Please don't attack european culture. European people are lovely. Europeans do value family life and do have dress codes too which is less conservative than other cultures.

Don't blame European culture just because some ignorants attack conservative dressings given its implications on society which they fail to see.

Because of European culture people lose their virginity and become rape victims... are you serious? Please don't display your ignorance for everyone to see. That comment is so absurb its like saying because of the muslim culture they are all terrorists.

I hope God forgives you for what you write in his name.

exactly..let da people decide wot they want to wear. y should burka be banned in the UK..so many girls and women wear burka, its purely the choice of the indivdual my luv. in birmingham (UK) about 1 in 5 girls wear burka...y should they be forced to take it off..y should it be banned?? no decent clothing should be banned

’Idolized Or Despized’ Either Way I Get Recognized.

angelina if you want european culture here dnt be nude and hunt other then also people will not see you coz we have enough respect which can't be destroy by you guys mentality.

Even because of european culture people losses these virginity and becomes rape victims every days.

Good answer messymiss.

To legalpad,

If you think life is short then go and let your family to be fleshy meat to others,why can't you people understand.

Modesty is not nudity,but you should respect and advise women to be women don't try to make them BITCH ok.mind it..

Sorry to those whom get hurted by me...

I take it you aren't in the rush to apply for a Schengen visa then........

messymiss......you have a very jaded view of European (is how its spelt) culture don't you? Obviously you've never had the opportunity to enjoy such a culture, which, may I add is very civilised contrary to what you believe.

to slowlydyin...:wat do u mean adoptin europin culture?do u mean muslims livin there should be drunk wearin lingerie & go around kissin anybody & everybody on the streets

wearin burqa does not mean u can't wear glittery shoes & ornaments.gliter originated in the east & not the west!

Do ur hw!

all this because you are too lazy to cover up yourself? No one said wear a head abaya and walk around. Its just COVER YOUR BUTT and YOUR BUzMS!! and No armpits and knee pits, isn't that just SO EASY and SIMPLE?????

~*Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret*~

mmyke...ofcourse it is not in the West..Geography cannot be guilty..nor do i generalise on west..i replied to ur note, so whatever you defined as West in ur earlier post, it is that.

The problem is not the West's.

We don't own this one.

If my streets are full of people wearing Burqas, it will give me a creepy feeling of mutated toxic mushrooms.

Life is short. Break all the rules. Forgive quickly.

Kiss slowly, love truly and never regret the things that

made you laugh.

Graduated from Xavier Institute for Higher learning

and that is the problem..the understanding or probably the misunderstanding!

in the West is Jihad as the West understands it...period.

slowlydying..i respect what you think..but you seem to not appreciate the people who have considerably different culture to urs have...for example, if i tell you that some people cry in tears because they believe there is a hell fire and they are afriad of being put in it should they misbehave..what would you think of them..honest answer please!

It is a belief they have which has implications and commitments that should be met...alot of what you see- not just clothing- should be enforced and is enforced. You just don't understand.

Ok, good points, but I don't feel safe walking along the street and seeing someone covering their face in the uk, on the bus or wtv. I can't walk into a bank with a balaclava or ski mask. Europe has a religion aswell - if Muslims want to live there, they should adopt European culture.

And if you all really DO believe what you're saying about letting people wear what they want, then surely you're disagreeing with the Qatari code of covering up your women.

I find the burka offensive towards women, don't give me that "covering up from the sun" rubbish. It's clearly to control them and it's clear they don't want to wear them as they wear glittery shoes and other small attempts at individualism - a central European belief.

and what is wrong with jihad? you don't even know what the word stands for..just parroting what u hear!

in the West equals Jihad....

Am just trying to say importance of burqa and Women position...

Don't get me wrong..im sorry to those whom get hurt by my comment..

exiledsaint..you should have left without saying this..first it is wrong..second it shows your sick approach in creating difference between people! virus effect!

I'm out of this one, but I say one thing before I go. Why do the extreme religious zealots all seem to come from South Asia on QL?? Are they trying to out muslim the arab muslims or something!

Be sure to clarify when the clothing is only for religious purposes or when it is only for cultural purposes. Cultural clothing evolves in different areas around the world. So a burqa should also get 'evolved' when it reaches UK and not too plain, Middle-Eastern-like or, really, it will scare plenty of people over there with that all-black or all-blue design.

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Huh ,this shows your state of mind and ur culture..

Listen respect women.

Let me know why can't you date with your princess of the state Because she is your princess but you can date with any women except her...kool..

In Islam,we placed every women as a princess not single one.mind it and don;t try to play with me and culture it will lead you too worst state.May God Bless you!

Good Answer anwar4annu...

Wow anwar 'you should obey' I guess when it comes to stoning women for adultery or immodest dress you are at the front with the biggest rock!

listen no one restricting you to wear any clothes but you should respect our religion and culture.

No matter you do whatever in your religion but in Islamic country you should obey...

Hi,let me told you why Burqa came in our religion,listen U.K and U.S.A were no.1 in offence coz there culture and clothing like shorts shorts,little transparent lead the people to get mad on them instead of their husband they use to play with other guys.

If you protect your private parts and wear loose clothes which not revealing your body is ok...

but if you think you are broadminded personality and do what ever you want,its ok for you to get nude with your family but not in islamic culture and in islamic country..

Am sorry for those people whom my answers look awkward but this is the right way to answer these kind of mentality....

Angelina..you stole that from my lips..good to knkow there are wise people like you!

To be quite honest, the average Brit doesn't give a toss who wears what!!!

you do sound logical by the way when saying 'if free clothing is prohibited in doha why should burqa not be prohibited in UK'. However, this is just an argument which is far from being an acceptable justification.

I disagree with banning muslim attire in western societies... where would it stop? Can't wear your yamulka (Jewish head covering)? Can't wear a crucifix? Can't wear a ghattra? Hindi dress? Simply wearing something that (decently) adheres to whatever your personal beliefs seems pretty basic to me.

Exiled absolutely agree states should exist to protect the individual rights within a framework of the common good (healthcare, defense...).

Coexist...

-----

A wise young crackpot knows no fear - Ian Dury.

Who cares what people wear? Bukha in the uk, sleeveless top in Doha, it doesn't really hurt anyone.

However if someone is forced to wear a bukha or a mini skirt because of their family or society then that is wrong and then the state should step in to protect the individual.

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

slowlydyingflyingcat...in the end you are saying no offence...but your post and suggesting to ban burkha or any form of clothing is already offending the feelings of lots of people..

n WTH r u to decide which country to should do what...jeez..get a life..

So now UK wants to do a France.

Needless to say, In France fashion takes precedence over culture and tradition, we can't expect much sanity. They have already banned the Burqa ? Next Probably they would ask the Buddhist monks to wear shorts and T-shirts when visiting France. The world is a global village, they say. Not so in France. The French want everything distinctively French.

Coming to the Hijab/Burqa, it is not a symbol of subservience as the West describes it. Rather the Hijab is a symbol of chastity and decency. Islam treats women with outmost dignity and respect. And it is because of this that The Qur'an asks women to "dress properly and cover their heads when going out so that people can recognise them and respect them". Freedom does not mean dressing scantily or shunning your modesty. Doing so only encourages eve teasing.

Andeee people have different definitions of what's decent. I say where what you want.

I could not disagree with you more. No One should tell anyone what to wear or not to wear in Europe. Here it is different as it is religious, but not in Europe.

the advantages of burqa r too many & disadvantages too less...........for example i hv seen many ladies tryin to prtect their faces coz of the burning sun. Every1 shld have the rite to wear what they want.besides wearin less & less kinda points out our disappreciation for the discovery of clothes!i fell proud & grateful to be able t wear it.

Let people where what they wanna wear as long as its decent... thats my 2 cents worth !!!

yeah leave it to the people.....let them wear whatever they like or feel comfortable in.

Aana free, jaana free,

Pakde gaye tho khana free.

Why should clothing be banned? And what's wrong with wearing a balaclava? People should be allowed to wear or not wear what they want to.