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 feel threatened by women who are dyed orange and have scouse brows. Honestly. Really carole? You have led a sheltered life. What a shame for you.

Excellent post Jimmy

I despise the burkha and would follow France in a heartbeat.

all religions are all about power and control.

that's what they are for. that's what they do. control their followers.

generally the power and control rest with the men. all religions.

if you even dare hint that you are saying anything that could be intepreted as having racial bias mnetters turn into dragons whofall over themselves to shout how liberal they are

Yes, let's battle oppression with more oppression!

I'm with Jimmychoochoo. It is one manifestation of women's oppression. Even if those women purportedly choose to wear it, their culture in fact dictates that to be acceptable (for all those reasons so well put by Jimmychoochoo), they have to hide themselves away.

No one has answered the question why muslim men do not cover up in the same modest way as muslim women.

I expect the likes of defuse to continue not to answer that question.

Or maybe she will give an out of context quote from the koran to answer it.

wishful75

It is not always an oppression. For some women, it is a liberation and an outer expression of inner life.

Why do you despise it? It does not effect you unless someone is using it to oppress you.

Hmmm... I like Jollygoose's post, too! Well, said!!

What do you mean 'purportedly'? Do you assume that Muslim women who make that choice don't have the intelligence to do so?

How patronising.

YouTheCat- nothing intelligent in choosing to be inferior to men

Period

I think it is all about oppression even if the wearer doesnt realise it. Apartheid didnt affect me directly but I could still appreciate that one race was elevated above another and that there was no justification for it. The burkha is the same argument.

How does what someone chooses to wear make them inferior? How? That is just about the most stupid thing I have read all day.

YouTheCat -
Here's the problem. Those who are critical of calls to ban the burqa perceive it to be an attack on personal freedoms. They view the burqa as an individual choice - which is arguable - and a religious requirement, which it is not. They look straight past the woman hidden from public view under heavy cloth, and instead applaud our multicultural tolerance. This is a mistake. The burqa has nothing to do with ethnic diversity and everything to do with a war against women. Those who wear it, and those who insist it be worn, subscribe to an ideology in which women are inferior sexual temptresses, whose female form is a problem and must be covered. This is based on the contradictory proposition that men are both superior and yet unable to control their sexual urges if they see women in their natural human state. If this wasn't deadly serious, it would be funny.

This is why.

Now explain why 'it's the most stupid thing you've read all day'

We are, in the west, bombarded with images of what female sexuality is supposed to look like, what weight we are meant to be, how tanned we are, our make up, our shoes, the size and shape of our breasts and legs and how much or little of them is or isn't on display. Then there is our hair, it's length, cut, shineyness etc. Yes, there is freedom of expression BUT Honestly how many women can really say they haven't been oppressed by western expectations of how women present themselves? At the extreme end, we have 13 year old girls exposing themselves and wearing revealing outfits. OUR culture has created this discourse.

As a Muslim women, I for one can fully understand how liberating it must be to cover myself in simple clothing. An outward expression of simplicity and adherence to a humble path obedient to spirituality. A symbol.

BUT there has to be choice. As some women may not have a choice, some young women in the west are not making a perceived and conscious choice, they are absorbing messages from our culture about how they are supposed to dress.

It is complex.

As a Muslim women Oops that reads wrongly. I'm not Muslim, but tbh, it wouldnt matter if i was. It is all the same God.

Yes! It does make some people think of a dog on lead. And they find it very offensive.

The burka and niqab is very offensive to me, for different reasons.

But I support peoples right to wear what they choose even when they know it will offend me. Equally I want the right to express my opions on MN even though I know it may offend some people.

But I draw the line at personal attacks as I thought they were not allowed on MN according to talk guidelines.
If calling someone a "racist", "misogynist" or "silly cow" is not a personal attack, what is?

How does what someone chooses to wear make them inferior? How? That is just about the most stupid thing I have read all day

You cannot be serious.

Please tell me you are winding us up.

I haven't called anyone a racist. I have expressed a view that their opinions are racist/bigoted, which is entirely different.

Pleeeeaaase answer. Pretty please.
Why do muslim men not cover themselves in the same way?

I am not on edge at a full black burqa. Where what you want.

A full pink one mind... now that's another matter

YouTheCat - thought you wouldn't answer my question when I asked why it was 'the most stupid thing you read all day'

The hijab is fine. The burqa I really don't like. Are you allowed to say that? Or is it just not acceptable?

I haven't called anyone a racist. I have expressed a view that their opinions are racist/bigoted, which is entirely different

I agree. However my point wasn't aimed at you, I was thinking of several poster's comments earlier in the thresd.

The hijab is fine. The burqa I really don't like. Are you allowed to say that? Or is it just not acceptable?

No it is not acceptable to some people. If it makes you feel uncomfortable even for self admitted irrational reasons, you are "racist", "misogynist" and a "silly cow" apparently.