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.

Just to clarify quickly:

This is a hijab

This is a niqab

This is a burqa

balis I know this, and I didn't mention the Quran nor religion. However I did mention culture and some women from some cultures choose to wear it.

i think people tread on eggshells when it comes to race, religion or culture. they're terrified of being seen as racist. i don't think there were any malicious intentions behind op's post.

some men women

The Hall monitors are the people who immediately get abusive and say a thread should be deleted because they disagree

I see loads of threads everyday where I think WTF are you thinking? Telling an op to F off achieves nothing,
an articulate discussion where you point out why you believe she is wrong/misguided/had no reason to feel anxious may change her opinion.

Exactly Japanese, why don't men wear one, why only women!

Thanks vampyre, I assure you there was any malicious intent,I could have worded it a lot better though

Wasn't *

I agree vampy, there seems to be an automatic barricade when an op dares on mumsnet to discuss topics that are sensitive, that they are out for trouble, when really they are nit. What us wrong with wanting to discuss certain topics

Caitlin it is exactly the same line of thinking.

Yes, I believe the Koran calls for both men and women to dress modestly, no more than that. So why do we see women covered top to toe in loose black fabric walking next to their men in jeans and tshirts?

Tootles nuns don't cover their faces. many (most?)dont wear wimples these days, many don't wear full length habits.

Yabu.

Do you feel uncomfortable when you see someone with a hoodie on? Do you feel uncomfortable when you see someone with a warm shawl on? Do you feel uncomfortable when you see someone with tattoos on their face?

It's just a cloth covering parts of their face. There's really nothing at all to be afraid of them. In fact some of them are probably afraid of you and on the edge because they are very likely to get abuse from people in public.

Someone up thread said that a group of people wearing the burka is no scarier than encountering a group of people in, for example, scuba gear, but I would find that a bit scary tbh.
Not being able to see faces and expressions us quite intimidating imo.

Well that was very Freudian.

No, Burkas have never made me nervous. I will happily talk to anyone. I judge people by their words and actions, not by what they wear.

Why is it racists always say they're not being racist directly before or after being fucking wildly racist?

Wearing a burka is far more comfortable than wearing tight fitting jeans and high heeled shoes (in my opinion) and it is entirely possible to walk and run in one. I have no idea about driving in one, I have never tried. You can get hot in all sorts out outfits. Some people may be forced to wear them and some chose to wear them. Some females are also forced to wear tight fitting clothing and are forced into prostitution and the likes.

Give me a loose fitting burka over a leopard print spandex catsuit and stiletto heels any day!

How is it racist? Muslims aren't a race for a start.

Anyway, I don't think you are being unreasonable (I haven't read the whole thread though). Anyone covering their face scares me, no matter what it's with, Even if its just thick paint like those statue people - They terrify me.

I think the reason that people often avoid discussing these topics is because if they have something negative to say about race, religion etc., then they are being racist, whether it was intentional or not. The ignorant aren't aware when they're being ignorant.

I do agree about Hall-monitors though. I don't think threads like this should be deleted. Everyone's entitled to their own racist opinions.

Bum, are people not able to discuss issues that they are concerned or interested in without being branded a racist? If we let all sensitive matters go by without debating them for fear of being called racist then what kind of society would we have?

Are these women choosing to wear it because it's been impressed upon them since they were young that its what is expected of them? Is it really a choice or an expectation?

Would a young woman generally get an "Okay, that's fine, no problem" reaction from their family and wider community if she said she was choosing not to wear a burqa, hijab or niqab in future?

Taking, the only reason some women wear the veil in some cultures is for spurious religious reasons.

I do feel uncomfortable seeing someone with their hoodie pulled over their face, yes... I don't think that's unusual. In fact it may well be the aim.

OP didn't say she was afraid of niqab wearers, only that she felt slightly intimidated.

My understanding is that some women see this as their way of dressing modestly. I guess you'd need to ask a burka wearer what their reasons are for it.

Trouble is, wearing the burka is seen as a sign of oppression, so it can be. However, not all burka wearers are oppressed and chose to wear is because they actually want to. Their choice.

omg I find myself making the same point about burkas as I did about shaving off pubic hair!

I remember being on Bournemouth beach once on a boiling hot day.

There was a husband and wife and young son sitting on the sand in front of me, the boy was about 5 or 6. Dad and son were in t-shirts and shorts, as you'd expect on such a hot day, building sandcastles. Mum was in a full head and body-covering burka, just sitting there under her black tent.

Husband, sensibly, chose to wear his t-short and shorts to the beach. Wife chose to wear her full burka. Yeah... right. She chose to.

If looks could kill, the husband would've been 6 feet under, thanks to the evils I was putting his way.

It's probably unfair, but I always think so much less of the men in situations like that. I refuse to believe that the woman is doing anything other than bowing to immense social pressure. The man, dressed comfortably in the cool clothes, on the other hand...

what exactly is racist about the op? ignorant perhaps but we're not all super-knowledgeable.