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‘Take off burkas' call by North West MEP (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)
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‘Take off burkas' call by North West MEP
9:27am Wednesday 24th June 2009
A NORTH West Euro MP has reignited a debate about Muslim women wearing the burka.
Liberal Democrat Chris Davies says the burka ‘does not belong in 21st century Britain’ and is calling on Muslim women in Lancashire to take them off.
But Mr Davies stance has been slammed by the Lancashire Council of Mosques which believes more education is needed to understand why women choose to wear the burka.
A burka covers a woman from head to toe and only leaves the eyes visible.
The issue was pushed to the forefront when Blackburn MP Jack Straw said Muslim women should not wear veils to cover their faces.
Mr Davies said that people should have the legal right to wear whatever they wish, but that politeness should not prevent disapproval being expressed.
He made the remarks after President Sarkozy of France this week attacked the burka as an assault upon the dignity of women.
Mr Davies said: “There is no mention in the Qur’an of the burka and it is a style of dress used principally in those countries where women are treated as mere chattels of men.
"I believe that it does not belong in 21st century Britain.
“I have a passionate belief that women and men are equals, and both sexes should be free to express their identity through the dress they wear.
"In my experience, the burka acts as a mask, reducing identity and discouraging women from developing their own skills and personality.
“If there are men who want to use the burka to impose their own will upon women in their family they should feel the full force of society’s disapproval.”
Salim Mulla, vice-chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “It is absolute nonsense to say men force their partners, wives or daughters to wear the burkas.
"He probably needs to talk to people like myself and the Council of Mosques to educate himself about the issue.
"It is up to individuals if they want to wear the burka.
Burnley-born Communities Minister Shahid Malik said: “It is not the job of government to dictate what people should or should not wear in our society - that is a matter of personal choice.
”This freedom to choose is one of the great values of our nation and why we are revered around the world.
”There are no laws stating what clothes or attire are acceptable and so whether one chooses to wear a veil or burka, a mini-skirt or goth outfit is entirely at the individual’s discretion.
”It is true that many Muslims feel the veil and its rationale are misunderstood and so sensible discussion provides an opportunity to create a better understanding and ultimately ensures we are more at ease with the diverse society within which we live.”
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Your Say YourCitizen
Kev P, Manchester says...
9:57am Wed 24 Jun 09
"The burka does not belong in 21st century Britain."
Lib Dems...
willybob, padiham says...
10:19am Wed 24 Jun 09
stemark, Blackburn says...
10:23am Wed 24 Jun 09
bluetonic, blackburn says...
10:39am Wed 24 Jun 09
willybob, padiham says...
10:45am Wed 24 Jun 09
stemark wrote:totally agree. my son was stood in the doorway of a supermarket for literally 10 seconds with his motorcycle helmet on was approached by security and asked to remove it immediatley, while three woman dressed in burkas swanned pasted him into the supermarket with not a word said. i dont see any difference in a helmet or a burka, both make you un-identifiable
This ridiculous looking garment should be banned in our country!End of story.
milty, blyth says...
11:10am Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
11:23am Wed 24 Jun 09
rggraham1947, Luxembourg says...
11:25am Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
11:28am Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
11:30am Wed 24 Jun 09
Do you mean the fanatics that control what women should wear.?
Akki, Accy says...
11:34am Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
11:57am Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
12:02pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
12:03pm Wed 24 Jun 09
brfcianbrfc, blackburn says...
12:39pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
1:03pm Wed 24 Jun 09
In fact most women spend a fortune on hiding and covering up their real faces with something.
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
1:07pm Wed 24 Jun 09
brfcianbrfc, blackburn says...
1:25pm Wed 24 Jun 09
marge.1964, Darwen says...
1:31pm Wed 24 Jun 09
I know this subject is a min field in this country.
Like Jack Straw said you need to see a persons full face to have a conversation with them
This has also to be accepted by the women who choose to wear the Burka.
All people have to abide by the laws of the country they choose to live in.
Harleygirl, Blackburn says...
1:50pm Wed 24 Jun 09
These women risk deveoping Rickets due to the lack sun that reaches their skin. The NHS should charge anyone who requires treatment for illnesses that are brought about by their personal choices.
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
1:52pm Wed 24 Jun 09
People communicate using the phone, no facial expressions and no problem.
People communicate using the internet, no facial expressions and no problem.
People communicate by letter, no facial expressions and no problem.
Either we can communicate with a Woman or we choose not to communicate with a woman.
When we communicate by phone, internet or letter we cannot see the whole of a Womans Entire body and there is no impediment to communication whatsoever.
Someone needs to remove this retarded Zombie from Politics.
Sgt.banjo, Pendle says...
2:15pm Wed 24 Jun 09
If they want to wear it any other time, that's up to them but I personally think that in an interactive society, it is plain ignorant.
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
2:27pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Accidents happen and the vast majority of them I don't believe, were caused by a Women wearing a Burka.
Akki, Accy says...
2:36pm Wed 24 Jun 09
lol
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
2:36pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
2:43pm Wed 24 Jun 09
What Western People are jealous of is someone else being able to look at her face and it isn't going to be one of them.
How utterly sad is the Western Man.
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
2:57pm Wed 24 Jun 09
I actually have a stunning design where Everything is covered except the parts we want to look at.
lol!
brfcianbrfc, blackburn says...
3:14pm Wed 24 Jun 09
willybob, padiham says...
3:18pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Izanears, Nelson says...
3:20pm Wed 24 Jun 09
To quote a leading lady Muslim, if they insist on wearing the veil, than they should go to a country where it is worn.
duke bar, burnley says...
4:03pm Wed 24 Jun 09
I honestly think everyone should start wearing them.
Let them be a fashion statement a bit like FRANKIE SAYS T SHIRTS IN THE 80S.
BURKA,S ARE COOL .LETS RECLAIM THE BURKA.
Rover1,witton, blackburn says...
4:04pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Izanears wrote:HERE,HERE
There is nothing in the Koran that says a woman has to cover her face; it is purely a cultural matter and designed to keep the woman subservient. There is no place for the Burka, in this or any other civilised country. To quote a leading lady Muslim, if they insist on wearing the veil, than they should go to a country where it is worn.
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
4:13pm Wed 24 Jun 09
It's called Freedom!
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
4:17pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Now you are relying on what it says in the Koran and a Muslim lady to back up your mad argument.
lol!
brfcianbrfc, blackburn says...
4:24pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
4:28pm Wed 24 Jun 09
I don't need to go to pakistan to have a fantasy about women and unlike you, nothing a woman wears could ever come between me and my fantasy.
You are the one who has problems fantasising about a fit woman in a burka. Is it in case she turns out in your fantasy, to be a suicide bomber.
You really must take control of those fantasies willybob.
lol!
Lambert1875, Gt Harwood says...
5:33pm Wed 24 Jun 09
willybob wrote:COULD NOT AGREE MORE WILLYBOB SPOT ON REMARK ITS ONE RULE FOR US AND ONE RULE FOR THEM
stemark wrote: This ridiculous looking garment should be banned in our country!End of story.totally agree. my son was stood in the doorway of a supermarket for literally 10 seconds with his motorcycle helmet on was approached by security and asked to remove it immediatley, while three woman dressed in burkas swanned pasted him into the supermarket with not a word said. i dont see any difference in a helmet or a burka, both make you un-identifiable
holsten pils, burnley says...
5:48pm Wed 24 Jun 09
A guy has already mentioned that motorcyclists have to remove their helmets before they can go in shops / garages etc and action is taken to make sure they do , hoodies are ordered to remove their hoods and they dont even cover the face , a suspected terrorist escaped the country dressed in this gear and out of all the above reasons that is when the government should have banned the whole stupid dress code of moslem women, our safety should always come before immigrants uneccessary dress style .
I noticed on a news report from Iran today that many women do not have their faces covered and also on panorama in pakistan and afghanistan, there should be a rule that says when in our counrty abide by our ways / culture etc , not the other way round and if they dont want to then the answer is simple go and live in an islamic country.
Of course as most moslems vote labour the labour party will do nothing about this and would rather terrorists etc escaped the country or even entered the country , who knows who or what they have under these outfits ??
UK peoples safety first should always be paramount never mind the moslems rights / culture etc.Our country our rules , like it or sod off .
Akki, Accy says...
6:11pm Wed 24 Jun 09
are you talking about your naturist friends?
hasslem hasslem, lower cumberworth says...
6:42pm Wed 24 Jun 09
holsten pils wrote:So much bitterness in one little packet.
This guy is right and they should never have been allowed to wear them in the first place but labour being labour they let the moslems do anything they want. A guy has already mentioned that motorcyclists have to remove their helmets before they can go in shops / garages etc and action is taken to make sure they do , hoodies are ordered to remove their hoods and they dont even cover the face , a suspected terrorist escaped the country dressed in this gear and out of all the above reasons that is when the government should have banned the whole stupid dress code of moslem women, our safety should always come before immigrants uneccessary dress style . I noticed on a news report from Iran today that many women do not have their faces covered and also on panorama in pakistan and afghanistan, there should be a rule that says when in our counrty abide by our ways / culture etc , not the other way round and if they dont want to then the answer is simple go and live in an islamic country. Of course as most moslems vote labour the labour party will do nothing about this and would rather terrorists etc escaped the country or even entered the country , who knows who or what they have under these outfits ?? UK peoples safety first should always be paramount never mind the moslems rights / culture etc.Our country our rules , like it or sod off .
get some help
holsten pils, burnley says...
7:35pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Accy if you need to ask you do not belong here and there is nothing wrong with naturism , its certainly better than having women looking like bin bags because mossies are insecure and control freaks .
Ken Shuffles, burnley says...
8:41pm Wed 24 Jun 09
I can't see your face and you can't see mine.
You might need a bag on yours for all I know.
Iftikhar, Forest Gate London says...
10:56pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Muslim parents teach their children to respect their teachers. From a very young age, we are taught that Islam teaches us that after our parents, our teachers are most deserving of respect.
It must be an extremely confusing time for the Muslim parent in Leytonstone, London. For up to 30 parents may face prosecution for withdrawing their children from school, disobeying the teachers in the school, simply to secure a decent moral upbringing for their children. The school had decided to have a week of lessons about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. Part of this was a special adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian as well as fairytales and stories changed to show men falling in love with men. Rather than filling the heads of impressionable boys and girls with fatuous drivel about gay penguins, schools should be ashamed of the fact that they are sending children out into the world barely able to read, write and add up properly. Muslim children are leaving schools without learning their cultural roots and linguistic skills.
The action was being taken against the parents as part of a policy of ' promoting tolerance'. So why not tolerate parents, who, for sincerely-held reasons, consider their children too young to be taught about gay relationships? This isn't education, its cultural fascism. A record numbers of pupils persistently played truant in 2006-07, with around 272,950 pupils persistently absent in 2007, missing more than 20% of school. We rarely see councils prosecute the parents of these persistent truants. Yet, the parents who removed their children as a one-off to protect their morality may be prosecuted!
If the local council does decide to go through with a prosecution, it would be in line with the government's approach to the Muslim community. Muslims who believe homosexuality is a sin would be labelled as extremists. Liberal totalitarianism is a growing phenomenon in Britain and the west in general but many people will be shocked that the school can override a parent's view of what's appropriate or inappropriate to teach their children.
This latest episode should be a wakeup call for Muslim parents. Muslim parents MUST explain our moral standards to schools and be prepared to take steps to protect our children’s morals and values from a growing agenda to impose liberal values upon them. This is an eye opening for those Muslim parents who keep on sending their children to state schools to be mis-educated and de-educated by non-Muslim monolingual teachers.
The solution of all the problems facing Muslim children is state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers. Those state schools where Muslim children are in majority may be designated as Muslim community schools. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods.
Iftikhar Ahmad
www.londonschoolofis
lamics.org.uk
retired one, Blackburn says...
11:11pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Iftikhar wrote:I have a better idea. If that is your way of thinking they should be taught in a Muslim country - end of.
Muslim parents teach their children to respect their teachers. From a very young age, we are taught that Islam teaches us that after our parents, our teachers are most deserving of respect. It must be an extremely confusing time for the Muslim parent in Leytonstone, London. For up to 30 parents may face prosecution for withdrawing their children from school, disobeying the teachers in the school, simply to secure a decent moral upbringing for their children. The school had decided to have a week of lessons about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. Part of this was a special adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian as well as fairytales and stories changed to show men falling in love with men. Rather than filling the heads of impressionable boys and girls with fatuous drivel about gay penguins, schools should be ashamed of the fact that they are sending children out into the world barely able to read, write and add up properly. Muslim children are leaving schools without learning their cultural roots and linguistic skills. The action was being taken against the parents as part of a policy of ' promoting tolerance'. So why not tolerate parents, who, for sincerely-held reasons, consider their children too young to be taught about gay relationships? This isn't education, its cultural fascism. A record numbers of pupils persistently played truant in 2006-07, with around 272,950 pupils persistently absent in 2007, missing more than 20% of school. We rarely see councils prosecute the parents of these persistent truants. Yet, the parents who removed their children as a one-off to protect their morality may be prosecuted! If the local council does decide to go through with a prosecution, it would be in line with the government's approach to the Muslim community. Muslims who believe homosexuality is a sin would be labelled as extremists. Liberal totalitarianism is a growing phenomenon in Britain and the west in general but many people will be shocked that the school can override a parent's view of what's appropriate or inappropriate to teach their children. This latest episode should be a wakeup call for Muslim parents. Muslim parents MUST explain our moral standards to schools and be prepared to take steps to protect our children’s morals and values from a growing agenda to impose liberal values upon them. This is an eye opening for those Muslim parents who keep on sending their children to state schools to be mis-educated and de-educated by non-Muslim monolingual teachers. The solution of all the problems facing Muslim children is state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers. Those state schools where Muslim children are in majority may be designated as Muslim community schools. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Iftikhar Ahmad www.londonschoolofis lamics.org.uk
retired one, Blackburn says...
11:22pm Wed 24 Jun 09
This is Europe after all, we are Christian countries. If anyone feels the need to wear one (who knows who is underneath it) it shouldn't be here, where we are already on high alert for terroism. They should be banned in Europe. It is also the height of ignorance to be expected to have a conversation with someone whose face is covered.
l m h jones, says...
11:52pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Lanc's Lad, says...
12:28am Thu 25 Jun 09
Well said.
Couldn't have told it better.
holsten pils, burnley says...
7:27am Thu 25 Jun 09
floydbrfc, accrington says...
8:21am Thu 25 Jun 09
sideways, blackburn says...
9:28am Thu 25 Jun 09
Mikeee47, Padiham says...
9:45am Thu 25 Jun 09
I applaud the Asians who actually DO try & fit in and dress in modern clothing, I'm sure there is a Human Rights issue here for these women who are being forced to wear this 'Burka' by the Radicle Islamics, No doubt this MEP will be branded "RACIST" for excercising his basic Human Right "FREE SPEECH"
milty, blyth says...
10:40am Thu 25 Jun 09
timeforcommonsense, Clayton_le_moors says...
11:22am Thu 25 Jun 09
Ken Shuffles wrote:Only a dingle could come out with such crass b.s. People dont write a letter or e-mail with a poor English accent that makes it hard to understand what they are saying. It is bad enough trying to understand the English of some of these people without hearing it through a ridiculous veil. So far as the phone is concerned, I don't know how many people have hung up on somebody with poor English because they can't understand a word they are saying.
What a load of complete retarded twaddle. People communicate using the phone, no facial expressions and no problem. People communicate using the internet, no facial expressions and no problem. People communicate by letter, no facial expressions and no problem. Either we can communicate with a Woman or we choose not to communicate with a woman. When we communicate by phone, internet or letter we cannot see the whole of a Womans Entire body and there is no impediment to communication whatsoever. Someone needs to remove this retarded Zombie from Politics.
That aside. The wearing of such ridiculous garments has only increased since the start of the recent conflict in Iraq. This is nothing more than another two fingers in the direction of the west. I have seen, on two separate occassion, asian women who have decided they are too hot wearing these 'masks' and have proceeded to remove them. There is no need for them and there is no place for them in a CHRISTIAN country. If they want to parade around in such garments then they should go to a muslim country.
patregan, southport says...
11:28am Thu 25 Jun 09
The Christian fundamentalist backlash against Islam has of course already started through discrediting the design of interfaith and multiculturalism. This is the main purpose of the Hijab issue - government has recently decided to use the most extreme symbol of Islamic separateness to open up a debate where the language and parameters are changed; ostensibly justifying it by the 'suppression' of women's rights but really it concerns being able to discredit multiculturalism. We will see perhps more and more point - scoring politicians jump on this bandwagon as it develops.
http://dirtypolitics
.viviti.com
holsten pils, burnley says...
5:42pm Thu 25 Jun 09
Mikeee47, Padiham says...
10:07am Fri 26 Jun 09
It's time these do gooder councilors took notice of what we want for our towns & Country, & if the Minority don't like it they can get out.
I agree with Holsten, Everything is being forced upon us, These Government figures work for us, & not the other way round, don't let them forget that by using the vote!
Ask the nation what we want I'm sure they'll be startled by the answers.
It's time for shake up and wake up, these muslims keep saying how they'll be running the country in years to come, and it will happen as long as everyone keeps giving in and letting them do as they please.
If they come here for a short stay (Holiday etc) then fair point keep the dress. Become a national & fit in fly our flag (not yours) speak our language, & abide by our law. most of all speak basic English.
Free speech is free, no one can take that from us we all have a voice.
sideways, blackburn says...
6:03pm Fri 26 Jun 09
at recession
holsten pils, burnley says...
6:42pm Fri 26 Jun 09
sideways, blackburn says...
9:57am Sat 27 Jun 09
holsten pils, burnley says...
12:51pm Sun 28 Jun 09
ProudMuzzie, Preston says...
12:36pm Mon 29 Jun 09
Harleygirl wrote:That sound fair ! Would you also say that the NHS should also charge all people with alcohol related dieases and illnesses including the people who come into A&E with alcohol related injuries ! Maybe you could charge them for Policing and Ambulance rides to A&E !
Stange how so many of the women who wear the burka etc, have their feet on display, which are often wearing very pretty beaded sandals... These women risk deveoping Rickets due to the lack sun that reaches their skin. The NHS should charge anyone who requires treatment for illnesses that are brought about by their personal choices.
ChiRho, Blackburn says...
9:32am Wed 1 Jul 09
Ken Shuffles wrote:Ken
What a load of complete retarded twaddle.
People communicate using the phone, no facial expressions and no problem.
People communicate using the internet, no facial expressions and no problem.
People communicate by letter, no facial expressions and no problem.
Either we can communicate with a Woman or we choose not to communicate with a woman.
When we communicate by phone, internet or letter we cannot see the whole of a Womans Entire body and there is no impediment to communication whatsoever.
Someone needs to remove this retarded Zombie from Politics.
Tell me, how would a deaf person communicate with a veiled person?
The majority of communication is visual. A lot of information is gained from facial expression and for a lip reader a veil is a complete and utter barrier.
I dont particularly want to see the veil banned but I think those that wear it should consider the wider implications for community cohesion.
I have yet to hear anyone state a reason for wearing the veil other than "because we can".
Chris Davies
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Akki, Accy says...
9:35am Wed 24 Jun 09