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Move to Ban Burqa in Australia Fails

Society & Culture  (tags: religion, rights, women, politics, interesting, Australia, society, world, law, culture, freedoms )

- 1680 days ago -
A bill to ban burqa in Australia's most populous state New South Wales on Thursday fell through as centrist and leftist lawmakers condemned it as racist.

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Sally Ann G. (256)
Thursday May 20, 2010, 9:32 pm
so banks had better take down their notices about asking helmet wearers to remove them - cos that will be deemed racist or group profiling..... This makes me very angry as it is one rule for some and another rule for millions when they hide their faces and asked to show them. Hey I just came into the USA yesterday from Australia with my green card and I was still asked for a photo with my GLASSES OFF - no one will see me without them in the real world because I can't see without them.

Michael Cozens (3)
Thursday May 20, 2010, 11:45 pm
Funny that the author of this bill claims it is intended to deny a disguise to criminals (has anyone any record of a criminal using a burka as a disguise?) and to "set women free from domination of males" - because nothing says "female empowerment" like a male politician telling women what they can and can't wear.

Sally G. - one rule for some and another for others? When's the last time you were asked to remove your burka?

clare h. (38)
Friday May 21, 2010, 4:46 am
I'm a motorcyclist and female I have to remove my helmet when I go into a bank or fueling station so why shouldn't everyone show their face. It's not a race or religion thing it is about everyone adhering to the same rules.

Jaclin S. (230)
Friday May 21, 2010, 4:26 pm
I think that it is a right move because these women it is their life their religion it is not for anyone to tell another how to or how not to dress - this is a personal right!!! Anger is a very wasted emotion one could put that energy into something more worthwhile. TY Cal Love & Light

pam w. (191)
Friday May 21, 2010, 8:48 pm
Ridiculous! Another "win" for the "politically correct." "Religious respect" trumps all laws of sanity and logic.

Andy T. (4)
Saturday May 22, 2010, 4:08 am
Pitty. It is entirely unreasonable that the religious intolerance that surrounds the wearing of these things should be inflicted on others. When you are in another free country you respect their standards or else don't go there.

Michael Cozens (3)
Saturday May 22, 2010, 7:21 pm
Andy T. - are you so incredibly foolish as to not realize that the religious intolerance here is the attempt to deny some persons the right to peacefully express their religious faith? Perhaps you would like to keep Asians out of Oz as well, so that the "racial intolerance" that surrounds them (when they're being attacked by racist gangs) doesn't contaminate your pristine existence.

pam w. (191)
Saturday May 22, 2010, 10:38 pm
Really? I think Andy's right...behave according to the "locals" and you'll never go wrong.

Sharon Balloch (132)
Sunday May 23, 2010, 11:47 am
Just hang on to your hats folks.. Jordan is trying to ban the burka now as they cannot stand the crime rate.. so what do you think will happen in Austrailia?
What I do not understand is the women? If something I was wearing was causing children to be murdered in such an ugly fashion I would take it off now.. What kind of women are these? The burka wearing bombers who killed so many women and children trying to get food at the camp felt anything for these Muslim women and children but hatred I do not know what it would be. Only women and children were there... oh and the burka wearing bombers.

But so far it is mostly Muslim folks they are killing with these bombs hidden under burkas... so I do not see what this has to do with religion as it is not any more religous than the parka.. but if Canadians were being murdered because of this garment I would take it off and stop that immediately. Pride and foolishness are going to cost others their lives just as it has in the past it will again..

pam w. (191)
Sunday May 23, 2010, 2:33 pm
I've traveled in Jordan and, outside Amman, saw women fully veiled everywhere I went. It's hard to imagine the Jordanian government banning it. Do you have a source for this, please?

Michael Cozens (3)
Sunday May 23, 2010, 9:34 pm
Pam W. - "do as the locals do" didn't work out so well in Nuremberg, or for Kitty Genovese. Are you so craven, so devoid of personal responsibility that the madness of the crowd is the only moral compass you have?

Michael Cozens (3)
Sunday May 23, 2010, 9:35 pm
Sharon - could you explain, exactly, how wearing a burkah is causing children to be murdered? I can show you lots of examples where horrific crimes were committed by those wearing jeans and T-shirts, or even American military uniforms - will you spurn those outfits as well?

pam w. (191)
Sunday May 23, 2010, 10:28 pm
No, Michael...I have a strong moral compass. And I've traveled in over a dozen Muslim countries. Have you? Because, if you HAD, you'd know that their laws are THEIR laws and their morality is THEIR morality and in all honesty--this is none of our concern. Until the day they allow women more education, this will NOT change. We can sign all the Care2 petitions we want to and we can rant and rave against their morality all we want to...but none of it will make a bit of difference.

They have GOD on their side...don't you realize that? And they hate our ideas of "morality."

So climb off your high horse and realize that there are many "moralities" on the planet. My thoughts have nothing whatsoever to do with Nuremberg or Kitty Genovese...don't mix your metaphors.

Michael Cozens (3)
Monday May 24, 2010, 10:18 pm
Pam w. - I suggest you look up what a "mixed metaphor" actually is.

As for your concept of "separate but equal" moralities - funny, I had thought that humans had certain inalienable rights, regardless of the accident of their place of birth. Why you seem so intent on dividing the world into monolithic "us" and "them" factions is beyond me, but I'd venture to say that there's quite a few of "them" who don't agree with the mindset you've so graciously ascribed to them based on their skin colour.

As for "none of our concern" - are you really so callous as to limit your concern over injustice to only those who look like you? I can guarantee that there are many of those "others" you have so little concern for who are no happier with the "morality" being forced upon them than you would be were it forced upon you.

pam w. (191)
Tuesday May 25, 2010, 8:41 am
Michael, I"m a long-time educator and know EXACTLY what a mixed metaphor is and I know when I see someone decide for someone else how their government should be managed. Tell me how many Muslim countries you have visited, please, and how many friends you've made there. Then, tell me where I've made any claim based on skin colour. Because you've accused me of racism (soooo easy to claim, isn't it?) And that accusation is based on your thinking....not mine.

The "onward Christian soldiers" attitude of those colonialists who decided to turn the planet into something representing THEIR morality ruined continents and cultures. What you've written reminds me very much of the "colonial" justification for subduing the "heathens" and "bringing the light."

I will repeat the part of my post you've ignored....perhaps you can leap off your conclusions and pay attention to what I said?



Rose NoFWDSPLZ (283)
Saturday August 7, 2010, 5:10 am
Go Pam W

Mary Donnelly (47)
Wednesday August 10, 2011, 11:05 pm
This photo is of a nijab, not a burqa.

Brenda Gilbert (12)
Thursday August 18, 2011, 7:23 am
Yes, we should have to show our faces in certain circumstances - customs or police investigations for example - but beyond that, what we wear should be our own personal choice. I cannot lend my support to banning or imposing any form of dress. In my opinion each is as oppressive as the other!!

Past Member (0)
Tuesday December 4, 2012, 11:00 am
Well all I can say is they frighten people for a start and childrenThey all look like grim reapers and another reason this complete head to toe dress is not liked is because there could be a man or a terroist under these clothes and arms can be hidden You can show what religion you are without going to these extremes A headscarf would be enough
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