Caroline Spelman the Environment Secretary and one of the Government's most senior female Ministers has said wearing the Niqab is "dignified" and "empowering".
Speaking "as a woman" she went on to say " I don't, living in this country as a woman want to be told what I can and can't wear" which is exactly what London Muslim said perhaps in a slightly more colourful way.
Spellman arrived at her view after a visit to Afghanistan saying she now understands why some women choose to wear the Niqab.
London Muslim salutes Caroline for saying something which all women and feminists should be doing showing solidarity with women who should be free to chose what to wear without men in suits interfering.
If that’s what she said she is talking through her hat. She most certainly shouldn’t be in any government post.
ReplyDeleteThere are two objections to hiding the face.
(1) Some women do it as a two fingers to western culture (i.e., us Brits)
(2) It is simply very rude. “Showing your face” and to that extent your feelings or intentions is important here in the West.
“Empowerment” is a load of nonsense. Because your face is covered you feel you’ve got one over on those around you! You can see them. They can’t see you. It’s how small children behave.
Try it sometime. Wear a scarf over your face and go shopping and walk around town.
(3) Some do it because they have no choice. As in Afghanistan.
And next, we have the Spanish Inquisition!
Yes, perhaps they should be free to wear what they want just as everyone else should be free to treat them as they deserve! Not be served in shops for a start.
I wonder how many Muslim women actually wear the burka from choice and how many because their menfolk order them to? Those who see it as a prison and a symbol of male subjugation of women are absolutely right.
ReplyDeleteIslam is, to the vast majority of indigenous British people, a backward, barbaric, male- dominated culture deeply rooted in the Middle Ages and centuries behind the West. Muslims are free to follow their weird beliefs in private but they have no right whatsoever to force onto the rest of us a totally alien culture.
Muslim women should be obliged to uncover their faces in public, especially where identification is an issue, and employers who refuse to give a job to any woman who desires to remain entirely covered should be granted immunity from prosecution under so-called equality laws.
Muslims want it all their own way! They demand that we respect their culture and ways, but it seems that it's perfectly OK for them to offend us. And I for one AM offended by the sight of women in hideous black binliners with their faces entirely covered. I feel not only offended but threatened by them.
Having listened to a couple of 18 year olds entirely covered in black, with their eyes nicely highlighted, on the TV this evening. They were discussing it's our dress, just like goths, or indi fashion. So after all it's just a fashion statement.
ReplyDeleteTo me it's an extreme passive agressive statement, shoving an extreme religion in my face. Or rather Not in my face, as I can't see them.
Why do so many people like linking the face veil to a forced decision by the men in the muslim womans life? Can she not have a mind of her own and decide things out of her will? Many of these women have degrees, are medical doctors- is it really fair to say that these educated members of society cannot not make a decision without the help of their male family members? I think it is unfair to paint all muslim women who wear the face veil with the same brush.
ReplyDeleteAnd regarding security, those with a face veil are more than happy to remove it for identity purposes whether at the airport or wherever, even those with a bus pass are happy to show their face to the driver no problem whatsoever.
When they mentioned that their dress was just like a 'fashion' , they were referring to the right an individual has to where what they wish - I personally arent a fan of the gothic look but in no circumstance would I ever call for the look to be banned because 'I' felt uncomfortable and that 'I' wasnt used to seeing it. Wouldnt I be seen, in this situation, as selfish and intolerant??
When people do not understand a concept or an ideology, it is so easy to become hostile towards or to even (sadly) feel threatened by the unknown. I extend my arm out to anyone who is willing to leave any previous preconceptions behind in an attempt to reach a level of understanding of any aspect of Islam for that matter.