Ban the Hassidic Jews, the Amish. If the beard and glasses were left behind would you recognize this dude?
Burqa defenders’ paradox of injustice
Date
August 13, 2010
Comments 106
Ruby Hamad
The argument about Parliamentary Security was framed by the advice given to a an MP by Peta Credlin. All the other cultural arguments attached to the two items of clothing referred to by the Burqa are irrelevant and don’t apply here.
The newly appointed director of the AFP Andrew Colvin says he has no problem with it at a security issue. Nor do various State premiers. Tony Abbott foolishly turned it into a personal issue when he showed his prejudice. Strange for a man who once thought of donning religiously symbolic dress himself..
The issue was raised by Lambie, Bernardi and others in unfortunate terms. If facial recognition is required on entering Parliament why single out the burqa other than for attention grabbing and divisive reasons. Shit other current fashion trends could do with closer examination and not only the burqa when it comes to security. Hipster beards and sunglasses, overly made up women with large retro sunglasses would be hard to ID in any line up after they were quickly removed. Polite people who don’t want to share the flue are as confronting as anybody with hygiene masks on. So why is the burqa the focus of argument in our pluralistic democracy? Surely ‘facial recognition required’ would have been better.
As for the cultural contradictions Ruby Hamad is referring to they are another matter and a matter that isn’t at the heart of Islam but rather her culture. The Burqa and Niqab are not a Koranic requirement nor a cultural one in the majority of Islamic countries around the world. So to identify it as an Islamic symbol of repression of 800 million women is a bit rich. Indonesia has had more women in power in politics than we have encourages education the running of businesses etc etc. Malaysia, Philipines Thailand in fact the burqa is really only found in Afghanistan and the Niqab in Saudi Arabia Iran and a few others.
Andrew Bolt loves to drag the oppression line up whenever he can and use it against Islam as a religion rather than to the specific culture of a country. Christian white right-winger males trot this out not to save anybody but to condemn Islam. You see Bolt never raises the issue when it comes to Orthodox Jews whose dress codes are extremely strict for both men and women. Individuals also don’t stand out due to modesty requirements. Amish it’s a crime to cut the beard off an Amish man.
Cultural oppression of women strikes me as far more severe in Christian countries Somalia, 95% and Ethiopia where 65% of women are forced to be circumcised or should I say mutilated. Bolt conveniently side steps that one. Ruby I appreciate the personal conflict you have with your parents but your right many of the women from your culture are not as conflicted and are comforted by it. You seem to be suffering a cross generational as much as cross cultural issue in a multicultural society. It happens to Italians, Greeks, strict christian denominations as much as it is happening to you.
olddogthoughts 