The Burqa debate. A veiled woman's views.

Then why not just wear baggy clothing? Do they cover the face because they honestly believe that it's equivalent to wearing undignified hot pants? Or is it the more likely reason that it's a cultural hangover from the Islamic world of male dominance and possession of women?

Of course they should have a say.

However, the idea of the facial veil being oppressive runs deeper than "let's free the Muslim women because they can't free themselves". It is a barrier between the most crucial parts of human interaction - facial expression. It represents the self-exclusion of a community, and quite frankly it's threatening. Threatening to our culture, to years of hard won freedom and equality, and on a personal level, when you can't see the person you're talking to.

Before people shout 'religious intolerance', I have no objection to people performing their own religious traditions in private, or even in the street. I have nothing against Muslims as people. I have no objection to a veil that covers everything except the face. However, I do not believe in being 'tolerant of the intolerant', as it were. There has to be a line drawn, and I would draw that line at hiding your face in court, at schools, and in other public institutions.

I fully recognise that banning the Burqa outright may drive some women into seclusion, so I don't think that practically it's necessarily the best solution. However, in principle I am all for debate, of which Muslim women should obviously be a large part, but think that this has wider implications than perhaps suggested in the article.

And how would you know that they are "oppressed"?

Who was it that told you that persons who wear the Niqaab are "oppressed"?

It's a piece of clothing. Get over it. You've got women being paid to take their clothes off and in France you have to pay in order to wear the burqa. The world is screwed up in too many ways and the fact that banning the burqa is even in discussion is wrong on so many levels. It's a freedom of choice, and it's also a religious act. For God's sake, what harm does it do to you to see a woman covered up?

What would happen if I went into a bank with a balaclava because I wanted to conceal my identity, or cover up my facial modesty. I'd be arrested.

If you're being told that, without wearing a certain item, you're taunting men with your sexuality and thusly, inviting rape, that's oppression. So the Quran told me so.

Islam respects the right for others to practice their religion and to identify themselves proudly with a religion (by wearing a cross etc.)

Many Muslims in this country feel privileged to live in the UK because of the freedom and our laws and you re right it is not fair that many 'muslim' countries do not offer the right freedom to people of different beliefs. Many muslims will prefer to stay in the UK over some other muslim countries because they believe in the values and the rights of UK democracy.

What would happen if I went into a bank with a balaclava because I wanted to conceal my identity, or cover up my facial modesty. I'd be arrested.

Does that extend to facial makeup? Tinted shades? Dyed hair?

For all I care, I could have cold cheeks. If whatever I was doing was deemed a security risk, whether I was wearing tinted shades etc, subject to common sense, I'd be expected to comply and would have no problem in doing so.

Banks and security in Banks have the right to turn away veiled women if they feel there is an issue with security but they don't because they don't feel there is an issue.<br />
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Veiled women are still required to show their face for identification in security at Banks and airports.

Banks and security in Banks have the right to turn away veiled women if they feel there is an issue with security but they don't because they don't feel there is an issue.

Veiled women are still required to show their face for identification in security at Banks and airports.

What about shopping centres? People are expected and forced to remove their hoods in shops / a lot of public spaces.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/i-wear-the-niqab-let-me-speak-on-my-own-behalf-8824243.html

A very interesting and perhaps foreign viewpoint for those who really haven't listened to what veiled women themselves have to say.

What about shopping centres? People are expected and forced to remove their hoods in shops / a lot of public spaces.

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what about in schools n colleges. And what about the issues raised about non verbal communication n facial expression. And did U no that Between 60% and 75% of all of your communication is nonverbal. Being able to see someone ones face is much more important than we relise. If covering ur face isn't a must, then y do it when it make Islam look bad n causes so much problems between non Muslims

Could you reference that for me please?

I await your explicit reference from the Quran...