The Muslim burka, or traditional Islamic dress that completely covers a woman’s face, is back in the headlines as the coalition Conservative Party wants to implement a total ban on the garb in public places. This move comes on the heels of the Danish Parliament’s decision to ban its military personnel from wearing the burka.
Conservative MP Naser Khader, the recently appointed integration spokesman for his party, didn’t mix his words when he commented “We don’t want to see burkas in Denmark. We simply can’t accept that some of our citizens walk around with their faces covered.”
Claiming the burka is un-Danish and oppresses women, Khader says it can’t be allowed in public. But naturally, Muslim women can do whatever they want in the privacy of their homes. When in public, however, their faces must be unveiled.
However, in Islam, women have a right and it is their choice to wear the burka, hijab, or any covering. It is strictly the women’s choice and no one elses. This then may not constitute to violating women’s rights but can at the same time offend many Muslims living in Denmark.
According to the Politiken, the Social Democratic Party and the Danish People’s Party also support the notion of a complete public ban. The senior coalition Liberal Party, however, has rejected the proposal. It doesn’t like the idea of imposing laws on people’s choice of clothing, unless they work for the government.
“It’s going too far if we start legislating on what sort of clothes people can and cannot wear. The burka and covered faces should not be allowed if you work with people in the public sector – but that is where we draw the line,” Liberal Political Spokesman Peter Christensen weighed in. So the debate begins.
See more at the Politiken.
[…] Danish Conservatives want to ban the burka in public […]
First, I did a type error before cause I was in a rush, unlike you guys, I have a life and can’t stay on this IceNews commenting for long, just to defend Iceland and Muslims as I am proud of my country and proud of my religion, and very proud that both get along.
– Danes love their queen, when South Park made a cartoon of the Queen of England shooting her head off, it was ALL over British news and the English were furious with that. Knowing Danes, I am sure they will boycott and do other anti Islamic things like ban burkas and..oh, hey, they are doing that!
– Women are not oppressed in Islam! If anyone says women are opressed then they don’t know anything at all about Islam. READ BEFORE YOU WRITE! Women are honored in Islam. It is just in the west holding a door for a woman and saying “ladies first” can be considered either chauvanistic or sexist.
– So many things you said Alexander that I want to comment but as I said, there is no use saving your lost soul. “People live in Denmark and should act Danish”, maybe you dont realise the world is not like USSR or communist Russia, we are opened to cultures, which is what makes Western Europe what it is today. We arent Nazis. Personally, I enjoy going to some art exhibitions here in Reykjavik and seeing art from Faroe Islands, Greenland, Africa, and Asia. I enjoy having foreign languages here to learn.
I dont know what your problem with Islam is, but you should read more about it before you hate something, seriously.
Joi , you said:
”
We should ban photos of the Queen of Denmark or even make cartoons of her and see how they would like that.
”
Alexander already gave a good reply. I just would like to add that in case of such cartoons it is highly unlikely that a hysteric danish crowd would attack the embassies of islamic countries in Copenhagen, burn them down , burn their flags and call for a general boycott.
Joi, you just make no sense.
As to the topic.
I think that this “coalition” is after cheap publicity and votes.
And most striking fact is that they claim muslim women are oppressed. But by banning them from public place they just expand this oppression as most of the women have no other choice but to wear these sacks. Or be punished (and Danish state can’t protect them).
And what about tourists from muslim countries?
What about private business like “middle east style” restaurant – it’s public place but I as owner might ask waitresses to wear this stuff just for impression of “Alladdin” place?
So the ban is plain stupid. What should be done – but this is hell much more difficult (and as such – out of interest of political clowns)- is systematic work on protecting those women who made their choice. In fact the state must give them a chance to make a choice in the first place. Like changing the criminal code by placing LIFE sentence for anyone who killed on the grounds of “Islam rules”. And FedEx overnight deportation service for those who just think about it.
It must be stated absolutely clear – you are in damn Denmark now. Either you live like Danes or you leave.
PS. Joi. You might call it racism or whatever you wish. But don’t tell me stories about islam and communism, please.
Joi.
You made my day. Really.
Of course you should ban the Queen. But you know what? First you need to get your country. But if you want to ban anything in Iceland – you better pack your rucksak.
PS. I’m sure Danish guys would be LOL if you send then funny cartoons about any Queen or King. You might even get paid for that!
Alexander, you are wrong as usual, you’re knowledge on Islam is very little yet you have so much to say about the topics. Its Ramadan! Why don’t you let Muslims in the world enjoy our special month, as you enjoy your Christmas or Hanukah.
Denmark is a racist, disgusting country, at least the government, not it’s people. We should ban photos of the Queen of Denmark or even make cartoons of her and see how they would like that.
Only those who are racist and islamophobes know very little about Islam and are extremely ignorant.
“However, in Islam, women have a right and it is their choice to wear the burka, hijab, or any covering. It is strictly the women’s choice and no one elses.”
Bullsh*t!
Islam as such doesn’t exists. It’s just a word. But specific traditions in specific countries – they do exists. And in some countries there is no choice. Or at least this choice is not the women’s one.
that is the way it has to be in our western society;
when we go to an islamic country we have to comply
with their laws they apply in their coutries. it is not more than normal that they also have to deal and have to follow our specific laws.
mark hertoge
belgium
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The core problem isn’t the hijab (the head covering shown in the photo), but the niqab (the face-veil). The burka is just the combination of the jilbab (loose body covering), plus the hijab and niqab. Therefore, Denmark should be more precise in its wording and focus on banning the specific problem: the niqab / face-veil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_debate_over_veils
Go Denmark!