Protest against Big Brother

britexpat
By britexpat

Hats off to these ladies for their ptotest. Wish there were more like them.

The protested NOT against the ban of the Burqa, but the intrusion of government in our private lives. The making of laws against choice.

The Burqa has been discussed to death on QL, so please don't go in that direction.

Do you think that government intrudes too much in our personal lives ? Do you have examples of any such cases or issues ??

The article from the Telegraph with video:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/8036686/French-women-cause-a-s...

Two French female students have made a film of the pair of them strolling through the streets of Paris in a niqab, bare legs and mini-shorts.

In an opinion piece published on the news website, rue89, the anonymous duo – political science and communication students in their twenties – said the film was a tongue-in-cheek way of criticising France's niqab ban, which the Senate passed last month and is due to go into force early next year.

"To put a simple burka on would have been too simple. So we asked ourselves: 'how would the authorities react when faced with women wearing a burka and mini-shorts?," asked the students, one of whom is a Muslim.

"To dictate what we wear appears to have become the role of the State (as if they didn't have other fish to fry ...)."

What say you ?

By the_prince• 3 Oct 2010 13:04
the_prince

here's my 2 "Dirhams":

I think these two girls are posing a question to their goverment:

Are you really banning niqab for security reasons or just because they're islamophobic?

By flor1212• 3 Oct 2010 08:27
flor1212

regarding his view on the veil part of the reasons in the law enacted? or it's just a side comment from him? Or was it purely security reason?

By ex.ex.expat• 2 Oct 2010 21:03
ex.ex.expat

and if that breaks their law, they should be arrested. Silly publicity stunt.

By nomerci• 2 Oct 2010 19:32
nomerci

tinker, in most cases it is "wanting the cake and eating it" IMHO.

Ethics, decency , common sense etc have long ago left.

By nomerci• 2 Oct 2010 19:23
nomerci

hmmm, interesting. I think that societies have changed, so laws (rights) have to change with them.

By anonymous• 2 Oct 2010 19:16
anonymous

tinker, the stunts were a bit eye catching and thus were covered in the telegraph. do you think, it would be covered by the media if they were clothed normally but with a veil to defy the law?

hi vic, yes, the dress was creative enough !! they remind me of the little girl who was so shy on seeing strangers that she would raise her frock up to cover her face out of shyness..

By Victoria5518• 2 Oct 2010 16:11
Victoria5518

hi rishi...!

oh my goodness...the dress is creative hahahaha yahooooo...... =P

is that the new fashion trend? oh..no...

Cheers!

By anonymous• 2 Oct 2010 15:01
anonymous

brit, the laws enforced by the governments anywhere in the world are meant to streamline some social, political or economical irregularity of the state..

i feel, those have to be debated upon one at a time and on a case to case basis. if the population at large is not in favour of such enforcements, the media should play a part in holding debates the results of which may help in changing the policies of the state later.

demonstrations as above lack focus and i am afraid are not effective.

By britexpat• 2 Oct 2010 14:59
britexpat

Peaceful protests do bring results. Governments do not always do the best for us, so we need to stand up and question. In a democracy, we can vote with our feet. The problem is that many laws, once enacted are very hard to repeel.

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 14:52
FathimaH

I'm against breaking laws..period. As a Muslima thats my stance. But as I said before if protesting is not considered illegal and will bring in desired results then thats great. if not no good and may very well be whats called "a greater evil"

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 14:49
FathimaH

I never mentioned any particular country but there surely are lands where people of all faiths can practice freely. As for me, personally, I moved to a land where I can practice my faith better than in Sri Lanka..and I'm happy, Alhamdullilah.

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 14:46
FathimaH

"The problem of the burqa is not a religious problem,” said French President Nicolas Sarkozy. “It is a problem of liberty and the dignity of women. It is a sign of servitude and degradation.”

By britexpat• 2 Oct 2010 14:45
britexpat

The issue of the Niqab is not the primary focus here. It is not even about France. The issue is about laws made by governments and the right of the citizen to protest / make a statement.

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 14:42
flor1212

to say that when you know very well that religion is not that free to practice here!

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 14:38
FathimaH

the French president also stressed that a reason for the ban on the niqab being that he found it "oppressive" social security I can buy but "oppressive"? Trust me as a "by choice" niqabi I have never never felt oppressed. and by forcing those Muslimas who adorned niqab for Allah's sake alone,without being forced, and who are unable to migrate for financial and other reasons,its the French president has oppressed them! That said I just pray that Allah will grant them ease and whatever it takes to be in lands where they will have the freedom to practice their religion! Protests of this nature will hardly be of much good in countries like France, Allahu alim.

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 14:31
flor1212

"And just for the record flor the French president hardly stressed on national security being the reason for the ban...."

Is there any other reason?

By Blood• 2 Oct 2010 14:29
Blood

I would easily pass the immigration checkpoints. no argument here buddy. ;))

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 14:29
flor1212

the actions of the two ladies is already futile. The law has been passed! Hope they get real positive reactions (which I doubt very much).

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 14:28
FathimaH

but will they work? what good will all the protests in the world do otherwise. Besides is there any nation today that its people are always in agreement with all its governments laws and policies? and inevitably if you don't agree you will feel a sense of oppression and or unfairness. I agree the govt should know where to draw their line but who decides that anyways? Of course there are also those French who believe their president is right in this case.

And just for the record flor the French president hardly stressed on national security being the reason for the ban as much as he did on it being,in his opinion "oppressive"

By anonymous• 2 Oct 2010 14:26
anonymous

lets not forget that the banning full face veil was primarily to address some security concerns..

these teenagers probably dont understand the priorities and concerns of the state and thus are making a mockery of the law and getting some cheap publicity.

i agree with drmana that the names they have assumed, the baring of the legs and back while in a full face veil may actually turn out to be offensive for many muslims and its certainly not in a good taste.

these stunts should not deter the state from its policies which concern internal security..

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 14:18
flor1212

pass through me!

By Blood• 2 Oct 2010 14:10
Blood

in the matter of security, there are plastic surgeries nowadays can change me from a fat ugly guy, to a gorgeous sexy lady, including everything dude, and who spends a lot of money on terrorism can easily spare some for one or two surgeries a year if needed. LOL

By drmana• 2 Oct 2010 14:05
drmana

Blood/ Fathima, I hope everyone feels the same. Good for them if they are able to make their voice heard.

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 14:03
flor1212

the government in this issue is not violating one's freedom of choice. It's a matter of security!

By britexpat• 2 Oct 2010 13:59
britexpat

"I guess the government has every right to ban what they please. the people then have a choice..to obey the law or leave."

The whole point of the protest is that governments shouldn't and must not impinge on freedom of choice or expression.

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 13:50
FathimaH

Honestly I don't find it a mockery cos its ultimately the intention that counts, IMO. The name they chose sounds like something some teenage Muslim niqabi might call herself on FB!

By FathimaH• 2 Oct 2010 13:47
Rating: 4/5
FathimaH

What an innovative way to protest..ha ha! Not to mention mighty kinky. Brit said "Wish there were more like them" Oh yeah I'm sure many men will wish that..lol. On a serious note it was a great way to make a statement no doubt but in a country like France which is a secular state I guess the government has every right to ban what they please. the people then have a choice..to obey the law or leave. Sad as it that's just it. Yes its intrusive and can be ridiculous to some,like the burqa ban is to a Muslima wearing it out of choice(since the French president claimed his stance against oppression to be the reason for the ban)but its still the law and it must be obeyed. As for the protests then I must say unless its legal and can bring in results, I'd say it might just cause more harm than good.

By Blood• 2 Oct 2010 13:42
Blood

Not all women who are wearing these kind of clothes are conservative, they might be as it says, and the name itself "Niqab" is not meant to be the matter, the chastity of the woman is the whole point behind the veil.

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 13:39
Rating: 5/5
flor1212

for nothing. Reasons were given and debated. It's up to the concerned individual if they want to follow or not. Of course not following would mean sanctions!

By Blood• 2 Oct 2010 13:38
Blood

they are showing us that, what if some women are wearing these niqabs just for fashion reason, what if it was not a religious matter? Is the French government still into banning them too?

Interesting point of view!!!

By drmana• 2 Oct 2010 13:38
drmana

brit, I still feels this can very well be labelled a mockery even if their intention were otherwise. Even the name they choose sounds offensive.

By britexpat• 2 Oct 2010 13:35
britexpat

They are not mocking. They are protesting against government making laws which go against freedom of choice. They just picked the Burqa as an example..

By Blood• 2 Oct 2010 13:35
Blood

TFS, this is a really good article to share, regardless of any non moral names and words are used.

Dr. the article is very simple in sense that any of our governments are just trying to find some business to grab the attention of its citizens from other things going on, and this is the fish they found to fry thats all.

By flor1212• 2 Oct 2010 13:33
flor1212

????????

By drmana• 2 Oct 2010 13:29
drmana

Didn't get it. Was this meant to be for or against the ban? It seems to me as if they are mocking those wearing niqab rather than otherwise.

By britexpat• 2 Oct 2010 13:25
britexpat

By the way, if anyone can translate the ong.. that would be great..

Not word for word, but just the gist..

Thanks

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