Women wearing burqas segregated in aus parliiament building

[diggerdigsdogs]

All people wearing a face covering, I.e. women wearing burqas, into australian parliament will be segregated and seated in an elevated, glassed enclosure/area. Apparently it's a similar area to where schools often sit.

This is because wearers cannot be visually identified even though they will still be security searched and checked. The original idea was that burqas would be banned outright from parliament.

Racial tensions are very high in Australia at the moment as back ground. A young man was shot by police after he stabbed two officers. Dawn raids by police on terror suspects. Graffiti, threats, racial abuse - on both sides from what I understand in the papers.

I'm totally on the fence on this one. On the one side I think people should have to show their faces in certain situations, especially where security is a concern, on the other I don't like the idea of excluding women from any sphere, especially a political one. I support women to dress as they please but I worry that he burqa is a tool of oppression for some(many?) women who must wear it regardless of their choice. Finally I think that for all of Australia's sexism and general conservative values it is a very multi cultural nation and I do not think this decision recognises the make up of modern Australia. From where I live in south Sydney it really does feel like a nation of immigrants.

I'd love to hear some more feminist thoughts on all of this :)

guardian aus article here

They are just announcing the pm is asking the committee in charge to re think this and not segregate.

Are you of Aboriginal ethnic origin? If not, I like the irony of your post, topped off by From where I live in south Sydney it really does feel like a nation of immigrants.

Australia IS a nation of immigrants ffs!

My understanding is that the women wearing the burqa or other face covering would have removed it before entering the Oz parliament anyway, as part of the security checks, in the same way as they do in airports.

Not from the press conference taken by the Greens.... all very odd. But then again, Abbot is..... difficult???? when it comes to his views about women.

It's the religion's fault. I have no problem with Aus government/security doing this.

So.... women who choose to wear it of their own free will should be made to sit behind glass and that's ok with you? And yes, it is part of their religion and yes, believe it or not, some women choose to wear it, because they want to, not because someone has told them to.

I doubt they would wear it if the religion had never been invented. I don't know any women that has decided to wear a face covering that doesn't attribute it to religion. No one I know does it off their own thinking. Maybe a balaclava for warmth but not indoors or fancy dress, aside.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

No, but religion is deliberately misogynistic. If you want to give religion special treatment to breach security regulations, then you indirectly support it's misogynistic practice of face covering.

I don't know how many choose to be Muslim. I doubt many, some marry in to it. Probably less than reject Islam in later life. I don't see the choice really

The point is that they are NOT breaching security restrictions. They go through the same checks as everyone else, they remove their veils at security in order to be allowed in.... like I stated before, did you not read that? I also stated that there are some Muslim women who actively choose to wear the full veil.

And you also might like to do some reading into Muslim conversions. If you're going to insist on commenting about it.

I think you will need show your face in parliament. To be identified at all time.
I think you have a different definition of 'choice'.
Muslim conversions is a very small %. I think if there is any element of fear related to a choice it makes it difficult.

Yes, I do, obviously.

You might like to actually go and research that.

Poor effort.

What is your problem? I'm sorry if you are the 'teacher'. I'll except a poor grade.
I find religion to be a legalised and respected cult. Using all the same techniques. Mainly fear.
I view the word 'choice' as an excuse to defend religion. The same way punters and pimps use 'choice' to excuse prostitution.

*Accept sorry teacher

Pretty much Empire, as is my wont

King, you suggest that women within Islam don't have choice or the agency to exercise choice. This is completely incorrect. You first suggested that women wearing the burqa had in some way circumvented the security measures, then when you were shown to be incorrect in that assumption went on to erect another strawman. What you find religion to be is immaterial. What the women in question have found it to be is the only consideration.

And do get over yourself.

The security check is not the only security protocol.
I am thinking from a broader angle yourself. The women in question, are so pressurised and socialised I wouldn't expect anything else.
So it's only down to the women involved. I'll remember that when you post on a thread about prostitution.

As I said, get over yourself.

And, I'm a little tired of MN stalkers now. Interesting quote from you there.

But wow.... actually. You're going to remember that next time I post about something unrelated? Really? Do you normally threaten to stalk women who disagree with you? We've already lost 2 women from this board because of behaviour such as you've just suggested.

MN stalkers? What are you talking about?

Why do you think I was forced to name change King?

Seriously? I'm not threatening you?
Don't be disingenuous