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.

body I don't think those answers are ever going to arrive .

this is a good guide to the different coverings

www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/24118241

it's what was referred to as 'colonial feminism' and it's very damaging - the idea that western women can sweep in and save all the poor oppressed Muslim ones - without first stopping to listen and try to understand their view points or ask if they need help

It's seen the world over and, while often well intentioned, it often causes more harm than good

working WITH women from different cultures and supporting THEIR wishes and helping them fight their own battles is much better

Doing something because of what you believe in - yes I am 100% fine with that - why would I not be

faith can compel people to do many things which are dangerous, wrong and stupid.

faith is not a reason or justification to act in any particular way.

i like how you've changed the wording. very convenient.

Freudian- you have a very interesting 'sense of humour'

oh I agree but people have the absolute right to have faith and to believe in a God - even if we think that's mad - and they can chose to follow the teaching of that faith as they see fit - CHOOSE - freely (incase you think I am once again advocating oppressive things)

i suppose you can justify the amount of deaths caused by devout faith in a religion then can you?

'lord' sounds like a dictator to me.

Body - I didn't realise this whole conversation centred on women wearing burkhas in Afghanistan - I thought it was more about women wearing it in the UK where they should be able to choose to wear or not to wear it (never seen a burka in the UK). People have repeatedly said that there can be no choice really (as they can't believe anyone would willingly make this choice because they wouldn't which is a bit narrow minded and insulting) and why on earth do women choose to, what benefits could there be. Was only relating my own experience to wearing something sort of similar and how it did enable folk to feel free from the pressures of what society thinks we should wear to be attractive and yes there were benefits to not having to conform to what women generally wear.

Western women are often judged on their appearance in a way that men aren't, the whole thing with women actress, presenters, newsreaders etc hitting a certain age and lo longer fitting the image of what a women is worth. Think folk seem to forget we are not exactly free and without pressures ourselves.

gordy Hitler was 100% fine with what he what he believed in.

ridiculous statement to make.

gordy do you know why Muslim men don't cover their faces? do you think it's fair that they don't?

Vampyre "well shandy i disagree with your choice to conform to that idea of attractiveness. i wouldn't wear heels for anyone."

And maybe some Muslim women are choosing to do this as well and not conform to what people think women should look like, wear etc - in their own wear. Is it really any different if they choose to wear niqab - even if it could be giving the vickey to the sort of western over sexualising which they don't want to be apart of.

and shandy conforming to pressure is always wrong.

if they wear it for those reasons then i understand that. and have never said i don't...

just as i understand why a woman wouldn't want to wear makeup, wear a dress, style her hair...

It was explained that Muslim men are told to grow beards to cover their faces, and women are not required by Islam to cover their faces as obviously many don't. you are wilfully picking and ignoring anything that doesn't for your already entrenched views. Would anything anyone said make you think or possibly change your mind - I really doubt it.

fancy of course and agree with you.

however the thread has covered all areas of the world, and been very long, but yes the UK is the main topic.

my issue is that even if women choose to wear faceand body covers in public they should not be allowed to in the UK as this is contrary to the UK support of women's equality in the work place and in public life.

so what's with 'tell thy wives and daughters in the Qur'an then? and men should lower their gaze?

fancy why should posters change their minds?

what to agree with you. we all have a right to opinions. what do you mean by entrenched?some of us don't agree with covering women's faces?that's simple to grasp isn't it.

aye shandy what an oppressive opinion you hold.

vampy excellent posts.

thanks body :)

Blimey Hitler? Really

No I can't justify any deaths 'caused' be religion - I am not God - I am not religious - I am a humanist

I believe people have a right to faith and belief though

I don't believe people have the right to kill, hurt, main, oppress or abuse other people though

hth