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| Down Under |
| Muslim women protest against push to ban burka in Australia |
| 2010-09-19 |
| MUSLIM women have rallied in their hundreds to oppose moves to ban the burka in Australia, condemning the push as part of an orchestrated "war on Islam" in the West. Women swathed in veils and wielding placards declaring "my burka - conviction not coercion" and "leave my mum alone - we love nikab" gathered yesterday in a park in Punchbowl, southwestern Sydney. The first public protest against calls to ban the veil, the rally was co-ordinated by a coalition of Muslim groups known for their often hardline views. The organisers included the Islamist political party, Hizbut Tahrir (Party of Liberation), which favours the creation of an Islamic caliphate, and the fundamentalist Ahlus Sunna wal Jamaah Association. A female speaker, Umm Jamaal ud-Din, told the rally a ban proposed by Christian Democrat MP Fred Nile, which was due to be debated in the NSW parliament this month, had fuelled intolerance and bigotry. "What this bill has effectively done is open the door to the racist element in Australian society, whereby some people think they have free rein to vilify, abuse and even physically assault women who wear the veil," she said. "All it has done is create social unrest and discord, stir up intolerance and create a further divide between the Muslim community and our fellow Australians." The head of the Lakemba-based United Muslims' Association, Shady Al Suleiman, thanked the leaders of the major political parties for their recent assurances that they would not support legislation to ban the veil, which has been advocated by Liberal senator Cory Bernardi. Female speakers emphatically rejected claims that face-covering garments such as the burka and nikab symbolised the oppression of women. Ms Jamal ud-Din, a mother of five and a seventh generation Australian, said she had been wearing the veil for 17 years. "Contrary to popular opinion, to me the face veil has everything to do with feminism," she said. "I feel empowered by the knowledge that I am in control of displaying my beauty to whom I choose, and the fact that I can move freely throughout society without being subjected to the eyes of every Tom, Dick and Harry." Read more about Muslim women protest against push to ban burka at The Australian. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #2 "I feel empowered by the knowledge that I am in control of displaying my beauty to whom I choose, and the fact that I can move freely throughout society without being subjected to the eyes of every Tom, Dick and Harry." Right, until you can become sufficient in number at which point you and your men will make it a requirement for all of us. Scariest thing in the world was having someone in a black niqab walk up to a group of schoolkids on a fieldtrip during all the boomer blasts and having no idea who or what was under it. The ability to size people up and discern their intentions is a big part of the success of western civilization. The thought of women running around in niqab because they can't trust the men around them is to be greatly pitied. |
| Posted by: Black Charlie Chinemble5313 2010-09-19 21:02 |
| #1 It is foolish to get into the fashion regulation business. But it is also foolish to get into the intolerance management business. As long as people don't get violent, I have a hard time seeing the problem with intolerance. As long as people are willing to live with the reaction to their intolerance, they should have the right to be intolerant. I don't have a problem with No R--h---s or dogs need apply. It's a reflection on the employer. And if it's accepted, the society. But denying the employer or the society the right to express their opinion doesn't change their opinion. It only embitters it. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2010-09-19 20:06 |