To think it's ironic about Niqab and face coverings

[IsntItIronicDontYouThink]

Just thought about this and how ironically, face coverings have become mandatory on public transports and it makes me think of Muslim women (Niqab wearing women specifically) who've had a hard time because of their face coverings to now find that everyone has to cover their faces (for different reasons yes but still ironic, isn't it?)

Googled to see if anyone else mentions this. Here's a piece I found about it (There's more but just picked this one).

www.google.com/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2020/06/12/face-mask-compulsory-muslim-women-12838585/amp/

I think you need to join Alannis Morrisette. That isn't ironic!

That article makes the most idiotic points I've ever read in my life

I think you need to join Alannis Morrisette

I don't think it's ironic.

One is to do with the subjugation of women and preventing 'weak' men from lust.

The other is to do with a public health crisis and working together to minimize risk.

This is why intention, context and history need to be taken into account to avoid generalisations which may appear externally to be similar but are worlds apart.

Sorry Op - I think you are being unreasonable.

No it's not ironic at all. It really isn't the same thing.

I do think it's funny one is compulsory in france and the other still illegal!

At a stretch it's ironic that a symbol of female oppression may also offer protection from a threat attacking members of that same ethnic group ? As in the men are now having to wear them?

I'm not really seeing it, it's taking quite a lot of reaching.

How about this one.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.euronews.com/amp/2020/05/25/requiring-face-masks-to-fight-covid-19-upholding-niqab-bans-shows-irony-lost-on-lead-view

You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means...

I thought this as soon as face masks started to be worn, it doesn't matter that they are being worn for a different reason, it is ironic! Women, wearing face masks were held up for ridicule, as looking like letter boxes, by Boris Johnson, and now his government has had to make them mandatory on public transport. I seems like a judgement on his arrogance and hubris to me.😂

@CuriousaboutSamphire

I think you need to join Alannis Morrisette. That isn't ironic!

Already tried. Was kicked out.

Even before the virus doctors and welders wore masks. So what?

Lots of things depend on circumstances. You can put your mouth on the mouth of an unconscious stranger who was drowning, but you will get arrested for doing it if they are dozing in the park. Do you think the former means the latter should be legalised?

It's more about the aesthetics than the reason behind them. And you can use scarves so it's not like it's surgical masks vs clothes face coverings.

All of a sudden, we can't see people's faces anymore, everyone going round looking like potential "bank robbers".

This thought has occurred to me too, but it's a fairly obvious point that the face coverings are being worn for different reasons.
I agree with @PlanDeRaccordement on the whole, although there are some 'thinking points' in the article, as I'm sure that not everyone who dislikes the niqab has a well-formed position on Islamic culture and tradition.

I've been picturing women who normally wear niqabs going "finally! My time has come!"

It's not really the same thing though is it?

Women, wearing face masks were held up for ridicule, as looking like letter boxes, by Boris Johnson, and now his government has had to make them mandatory on public transport. I seems like a judgement on his arrogance and hubris to me

I agree. And the usual shite spouted by people who are anti-Muslim – sorry I mean anti-face coverings – 'it's scary/socially awkward not being able to see someone's face properly blah blah blah' seems to be not in evidence at the moment. Strange, huh?

It's not ironic, it's completely different. I don't know why people keep comparing the two.

As a Muslim woman, nope no 'man' told me to cover neither will I be killed if I don't 🙄. The only people who think they have a right to tell me how to dress are non Muslims (ironically). I don't wear niqab but my mum did (actually my dad tried to discourage her but she's very headstrong) and the amount of abuse she recieved from white men (it was always men) was disgusting. I probably cover the exact amount of hair a wooly hat would cover yet I'm oppressed. I guess you probably think that nuns have been forced to cover too oh wait, it's ok coz they're not Muslim. Yet another Muslim bashing thread on Mumsnet I have to hide 🙄 .

I am against both but respect the right of people to wear them and assert my own right to criticise both - the legislation on covering nose and mouth on public transport and the sexism of Islam.

I have however said I am prepared to wear a face covering when in front of a facial recognition camera.

@PlanDeRaccordement this.

Apples and oranges.

It's really not ironic.

And the discomfort of wearing a mask in public just makes me feel even more for those who do it all the time to please men/god.

It's not ironic. It's like saying it's ironic that motorcycle helmets are compulsory when riding on the road but banks insist you take them off before entering.

Face coverings for health protection are not the same as hiding your identity because your religion says you shouldn't be seen in public.