aibu to feel slightly on edge when I come across women in the full black burka?

[caroleharolde]

I just always feel slightly threatened, I know the vast majority of Muslims are lovely nonviolent people but.just this sight always unnerve me. Be honest, who hadn't felt a bit uncomfortable when passing by a huddle of the burqa wearers? Not trying to be racist, I'd feel the same if it were Christians or Jews or any other religion wearing it.

I don't support it so I don't wear one. I agree that it shouldn't be considered empowering.

But legislation and dominance by non Muslims over what muslim women should wear is not the answer.

At most schools girls are not supposed to wear make up and jewellery.

I can understand not being comfortable and feeling intimated not being able to see someone's face ...
We react to peoples expressions -their whole face. People's eyes are expressive but we rarely concentrate just on someone's eyes (have you never felt uncomfortable because you have caught someone's eyes for too long, become aware of it and then don't know where to look).
When my DD was at nursery we had a new start whose mother wore the niqab, not common in this area and the first person my DD had seen wearing one.
The first time I saw her we passed on the stairs (nursery was upstairs). The stairs were 2 person wide and (as I would to any other person on those stairs) I smiled and said hello. I couldn't see if she smiled back or not, she didn't reply (did wonder if she didn't understand English - but even so simple hello?), she may have slightly inclined her head -or not - moving it was hard to tell ...
I felt as though she had blanked me...and never tried to speak to her again (did smile though if I saw her -no idea if she smiled back).
I did wonder if she wasn't 'supposed' to talk to me (an uncovered western woman)...or was just unfriendly...or shy ...or? As someone said upthread - created a barrier - and made me a little sad as obviously new to the area etc. (They weren't at that nursery very long)

Don't care what anyone says - I think it has its origins in repression...but if someone honestly chooses to wear one that is their choice. It isn't one I'm particularly comfortable with. I don't approve. But then it isn't up to me to approve, I'm sure they don't care what I think.

For all the hands/men people - she wore black gloves (noticed because that's something I find creepy -black gloves - black leather even creepier -I see them on anyone and think murderer gloves - nothing to do with the Niqab though) -but definitely a woman - could tell with her build and gait etc...
My DD asked me afterwards 'what was that? So I explained to her but that made me a little sad. To a 2.5 yo she didn't look like a 'person'.

so it is for you to tell others what empowers them and how they should they should practice their religion and if it goes against what you feel is right then that is not empowering to all other women

what happened to women being able to make choices

i know the history or the niqab it is not something that i personally like to see women wearing as for what it has represented but it is taking on a different meaning as society evolves especially in our society that is why so many young women are wearing it because they do have a choice and this is the choice they are making

in many countries they do not but for many here (not all) they do. do you not understand this is what Muslims are fighting for in the middle east that is to have those choices

OP I think people have jumped a little too quick on this. I understand what your saying and Ive had a think about why that might be.

When I was a kid I had never seen someone in a burka. I grew up knowing (as a kid) is that if someone covers their face then its to protect their identity to commit a crime. A chap cycled past me last week wearing not just a helmet but a balaclarva and a face mask, the result was very scary.

I suspect the reason you felt uneasy, is that the human face and body gives off a lot of readable signals. We know if someone is friend or foe by reading their face and body language.

I think it was last year a judge ruled a lady to remove her burka (head part) while she was on the stand, I suspect the above reasons are why. How many times have you questioned if someone is telling the truth based on a raised eyebrow or slight smirk or rubbing their nose...Its simply not possible when the face is covered.

I did see a lady walking down a busy road last year wearing a burka and I have to smile because hers was short enough to see the stilettos. It was nice to see a bit of personality to connect with. When all we see is the burka, I realised that everyday as a part of human nature, we look at what people wear, what they like, their personality. Its a lot easier to strike up a conversation and feel connected.

How many times have any of us been out and complimented someone on their hair, jeans and got chatting?

I don't think your fear is based on racism.

Jimmi the madini school prolly uses it as their school uniform.

I was wondering when another of these threads would pop up, it's been, what, two weeks without one.

YouTheCat- I knew you wouldn't answer my question

the woman who was attempting to wear a veil in court whilst giving evidence had suddenly found religion after being arrested (how convenient), prior to the hearing friends and neighbours reported she had never observed any kind of Islamic dress let alone a full on face veil.

I believe it is wrong to judge each and every individual of one religion based on what they wear and what other people of the same religion may or may not do.

I believe it to be a choice. I see many, happy Muslim girls going to school every morning. Some cover their faces, some don't, some wear scarves - all fine. When they are laughing and joking with their mates like any other kid, I don't look at them and feel they are oppressed.

well that one woman, she should be judged on her actions alone she is not representative all the women that wear a niqab

So you think it's right to force girls as young as 11 to wear burqas?

I had friends at (an all girl's) school who wore burqas outside school so their parents would give them more freedom.

So are burqas good because it gave them freedom or is it just bad that they would not have freedom without them? I still haven't decided.

no i do not think it is right to force girls or women to wear a niqab

i think most parents of 11 year olds allow then some freedom in what they choose to wear

I was in the supermarket once with my baby...who was shocked and trying to hide from a lady wearing the face veil. The lady in question was lovely, took it off and waved at my baby!

and again i have not seen women wearing burkas here even in the Afghanistan community i have seen them wear niqabs

a burka is often restrictive to movement too a niqab is not

I was on Oxford Street in London yesterday and I saw a LOT of burqas.

I don't think it's right for anyone to force someone to wear anything. But I don't think most of the people I have seen have been forced.

Terrible if they have, obviously. Equally terrible is someone being forced to wear anything else.

I work on Oxford street in London every single day and haven't seen a single woman in a veil in months.

Even on Edgeware road they're pretty scarce.

really

i was in queensway the other day lots of women wearing a niqab none in a burka

fuzzy I am very surprised because I was quite taken aback at the number I saw, especially around Selfridges

Youthecat- and you would know they haven't been forced somehow ?

They seem happy enough to me, laughing with their mates.

How would you know if a woman wearing high heels and a short skirt hadn't been forced to wear them by some evil man?

well obviously Cat muslim women are subservient to their fathers and husbands

Actually choosing to go out covered up so you are not judged on how pretty you are, how fab your hair is or how good your figure is - especially knowing that the majority of society probably don't agree or like it could be pretty empowering. Young British girls and women who didn't grow up with the niqab culturally but choose to wear one (sometimes against families wishes) are probably doing it for all sorts of reasons and I wonder if one is a "big fuck you, I will not be ashamed and hide away my religion because you disapprove and have made us the new scapegoat".

My friend has always been 'happy and smiling' like the 'happy' girls you saw - turned out she was a victim of domestic violence.