A STOCKPORT politician is calling on local Muslim women to ditch the burka which 'does not belong in 21st century Britain'.
Edgeley based MEP Chris Davies said if men want to use the burka to impose their will upon women they should feel the full force of society's disapproval.
He said people should have the legal right to wear whatever they wish, but that politeness should not prevent disapproval being expressed.
Local Islamic organisations have described his view as 'misguided', claiming Muslim women can choose to wear a burka - which covers the head and face only leaving the eyes exposed - and only a 'tiny number' are forced to wear it.
Mr Davies was speaking in the wake of French president Nicolas Sarkozy calling for burka to be banned in France.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw sparked the debate in Britain in 2006, when he said the burka and the niqab were 'visible statements of separation and of difference'.
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."
Asad Zaman, spokesman for the Cheadle Muslim Association, said: "No Muslim woman should be forced to wear the burka and that goes without saying.
"Most Muslim women do not cover their face with a burka and don't wear it out of choice.
"Those who do wear it, feel it is expressing their faith and that is their human right. We live in a democracy which has freedom of choice and freedom of religion.
"I think Mr Davies needs to engage more with the Muslim community in order to realise where we are coming from."
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Rochdale-based Ramadhan Foundation, said: "I think the comments by Mr Davies are patronising to women. He talks about justice and equality and yet he wants to tell women how to live.
"I think it's a bit much for Liberal to agree with a right-wing French politician. Banning women wearing the burka is illeberal and Chris Davies is meant to be a liberal."
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Most recent user comments 8 of 8
Most of the time if there is a problem about the gender of the person wearing a burka(well use your common sense) wouldnt border control and immigration ask them to remove their face covering to prove their identity? And if wearing a burka someone ALWAYS has something to hide then what about sikhs wearing turbans? what do you think they are hiding? What about nuns, and women who wear saris? goths with their makeup and dark clothing? (no offence to all those people that I am using as an example). Common sense would say listen to the tone of their voice and make eye contact; you may be able to tell alot. And you say you wouldnt do business with them. Listen up, everyone has heard your lame excuses too often 'ooohh we they have summat to hide, i wouldnt do business with them' well i put money on it that if a fully covered, burka wearing person came to you, you WOULD DO business with them whilst quaking in your boots!
And your last comment 'You should be glad that you are living in Britain or any other western country who are putting up with so much that you do not appreciate it'-WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?? This country's values are based on its multicultural society, with the freedom to choose who we want to be without living in fear; we are a democratic state and our diversity is what is GREAT about BRITAIN. This aint just YOUR country so stop talking like you have the utmost right to be here and like YOU'VE done muslims a favour. Im assuming your asian with a name like s patel (or maybe you're just pretending) your ancestory isnt exactly 100% British; you would still be called 'paki/black *******' if you were racially attacked and kicked out if the BNP ever got into power, so you should really think before making such juvenile remarks.
29/06/2009 at 13:56 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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It’s really nice to talk to someone face to face but someone who hides their face has got something to hide and personally I will not do any business with them.
Muslims need to understand this is not an attack on Region as so many do, you need to put yourself in ours shoes and understand why all this is happening.
You should be glad that you are living in Britain or any other western country who are putting up with so much that you do not appreciate it, this is the world in the Twenty-First Century so why hide yourself from the rest of us, think about it.
28/06/2009 at 13:42 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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25/06/2009 at 10:01 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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BUT all these things do not mean that the hijab is something oppressing and something to be forced upon. People wear it by choice and if you ask them do you they regret that choice they say no in fact they feel more protected from the preditators out there waiting to pounce upon their next victim.
it is clear as black and white - what needs to be stopped is extremism in the religion. a girl of 2 does NOT need to wear hijab. Oppressed women shouldn't be oppressed. by wearing the hijab doesnt mean you cant do anything. You can everything in a veil, from drive, to teach, to learn, to be a part of the community, to trade to do anything good.
the reason for misunderstanding this concept is ignorance and a person should not look at the husband who is oppressing and forcing his wife to wear hijab rather a person should look at the real sources - where it has come from and how it should be done and why. Maybe it would help and try looking at other sources and religions and would find that the women are supposed to dress modest and cover up in other religions too.
How many Jewish women have been addressed and whre do you find someone saying to them that your high neck and long sleeve tops should be ditched?
How many nuns do you find to whom people say that your veils should be ditched?
25/06/2009 at 00:37 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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Royce, Manchester, I agree with you too!
Sandy, P. Thank you for a detailed view on the hijab hopefully it clears misconceptions for those who have them. It clearly shows that it is not just Muslim women who are supposed dress modest and cover up.
Chris Davies needs to study this subject properly before he can make any judgement on it. This kind of opinion shows his ignorance.
How many Muslims / Muslim MP's / Councillors do you find on the news who complain about the way some women dress half naked?
Why does Chris Davies not talk about the way some women half nakedly dress in this society? Are they liberated or rather oppressed? Prostitutes are walking the streets, what is he doing about that? is he complaining? why?
what about Nuns? they are hidden away not allowed to do this that or the other and they aren't even allowed to take their veils off even when they are indoors! They are not allowed to get married etc.
Muslims women do not have these limits.
So what would the reaction be if Chris Davies calls for the local Nuns to ditch the burka (veil)?
25/06/2009 at 00:27 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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24/06/2009 at 16:13 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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The hijab itself was firstly introduced for muslim men , that is to 'lower their gaze, and guard their modesty'[Al-Qur’an 24:30], The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the obligatory level of covering is to cover the whole body except the face and the hands upto the wrist, although some women choose to cover these parts aswell. The burkha is probably the easist way as it covers the whole body and meets the six criteria for hijab.
Secondly The Bible (bible 1 Corrinthians 11:3-6) tells women to wear the veil as does the Torah (Deuteronomy 22:11 MBV). and the BhagvadGeeta which states that women should dress modestly. Many Jewish orthodox women cover their head and body as do Christian nuns with clothes that resemble the burkha.
24/06/2009 at 14:09 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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24/06/2009 at 12:30 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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