French ban on the burka is extremely damaging, say Muslim women
Muslim women say they feel offended by the decision of French MPs to ban the burka.
Some 336 politicians voted for President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposed ban, with just one against, which forbids women covering their faces in public in France.
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MPs in France have voted in favour of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposal to outlaw women covering their faces in public
Anyone seen in a burka or niqab – face veil – could be fined the equivalent of £117.
Men caught forcing a woman to cover their face could get a year in jail or a £25,000 fine.
Razia Nazir, 49, of Humberstone, works in a clothes shop selling burkas in Leicester, and has worn one since she married.
She said: "I would feel totally naked without it. I feel terribly sorry for Islamic women in France. I'd never go to France now and if someone told me to take it off, I would refuse."
Afroz Kahn, 45, of Evington, Leicester, said: "I see the burka as a mark of respect for my elders and for my religion.
"Every family has its own rules and traditions so to make one law for all people about something so personal is offensive."
The burka is a loose outer garment worn to hide the wearer's body while in public.
It is not a requirement of the Islamic faith, but is often worn by Muslim women, some of whom see it as a religious symbol.
Parvin Ali, a Muslim chaplain and member of the National Muslim Women's Advisory Group, who lives in Leicester, does not wear a veil or head scarf.
She prays five times a day and faithfully follows the scriptures of the Koran.
She said: "Any legislation will be extremely damaging because it plays to the image of us and them.
"It will only harden the more extremist elements of the culture."
However, Ms Ali believed there were professions and circumstances were women should not wear a burka.
She said: "Driving in a burka or operating machinery is not safe because visibility is greatly reduced.
"Those who want to work in jobs where communication really matters, such as with children or in hospital, should accept that showing your face is a part of the job."
Mr Sarkozy said the burka represented female submission to husbands, brothers and fathers.
The bill will go to the French senate in September, where it is expected to be welcomed.
The biggest scrutiny will come from France's constitutional watchdog.
Manzoor Moghal, chairman of the Muslim Forum in Leicester, said: "The law is entirely misguided and will only result in the problem escalating.
"However, it is a common misconception that the burka is an article of faith – it is not a requirement of Islam to wear one.
"You have to learn to make certain concessions in your cultural practice when you live in a community where you are not in the majority."
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by study first, leicester
Friday, February 04 2011, 6:37PM
“Parvin is obviously very very ignorant, and a hypocrite, how can she say she is muslim and prays, but then says veil should be banned. Disgusting.
Oh yea.. I am white.. british.... but a convert. I am a muslim... should i go back to where I came from... hold on.. I am from here... so where does that leave me.
If this country allows people free will, then we have the right to dress how we want. you dont see a website about the nearly naked girls who go clubbing to pull men and get drunk. now that is desperate.
A women who covers her self is obviously content with her self, she dont see the need in putting her face or body on show.
I am not forced to wear a veil, or scark=f or abaya. my husband does NOT WANT ME TO WEAR IT. But i choose my faith
Muslim countrys have laws to which we have to abide, but this country does not have laws about dress code.
we will follow our faith and religion in this country for as long as we are allowed.
did you not ever think that the majority do not wear veilss, so it is us who feel insecure when people stare at us, but we are dedicated to our faith. i think people should be devoted to there faith no matter what religion.
Christianity is about peace and love. so where is all that gone..... where is the peace..........”
by study first, leicester
Friday, February 04 2011, 6:29PM
“Obviously Parvin Ali does not follow her religion fully and it is not abiding by the laws of her religion, she is a hypocrite, she says she is muslim but does not follow the sharia Law
Oh yea, I am a white british women who is a convert, I am a muslim now, and I wear a veil. So should I go back to my country, Hold on, this is my country, I am still white... and british... where does that leave me.
and if the government don't like it then they should say 'NO MUSLIMS'. as long as we are allowed to practice our faith in this country.. WE WILL
any comments.....
every1 has the right to be who they want to.
living in a country where the majority do not wear a veil. or a abaya or scarf, it is us who feel insecure when people stare at us... when we are denied jobs because we are muslims.
If thats not true then what is????”
by Alan, Leicester
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 11:08PM
“It is like everything else if women choose to have their face covered up because of their religion fine except they have to respect the British laws which means in one sense you came into another country in which you seek asylum , you have respect their laws and not your laws in which to stay in the country spoken English is need, ask this how many women can speak English”
by Jane Fooberry, Leicester City
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 11:23AM
“I note that Syria has banned these things from universities. It seems rather sensible at a _place of learning_.”
by Paul, Leicester
Monday, July 19 2010, 1:39PM
“Not everything one finds unfortunate or even somewhat offensive should be banned. There may be situations (banks, airports, etc) where any garment which materially restricts the visibility of the face - whether balaclava, hoodie or burka - should be outlawed.
One may even have a degree of admiration for the French in banning these garments outright (they are much less common there anyway), but that doesn't mean we should copy them. I suspect that the comparatively resent "fashion" of the more general wearing these garments is in part a misguided response to perceived hostility towards Muslims: a ban would not assist.
I am at times troubled that women wearing these veils may feel that my inclination to look away is "blanking" them and rude. On the other hand, the veil surely suggests that they want absolutely nothing to do with me or anyone else, which to my mind is a perncious aspect of these deplorable garments.”
by Lee, East Leicester
Sunday, July 18 2010, 1:28PM
“Every time you open a newspaper or watch the news there is a story concerning muslims.I for one am sick to the back teeth with it all.The burka should be banned in Britain, muslims who demonstrate against their host nation should be deported to an islamic state and no more mosques should be built on British soil.Do not try to change Western ways.It's up to you to fit in and if you don't like it then you know what you can do.Barbaric halal slaughter should also be banned.World famous British tolerance is wearing thin.”
by Chris, Narborough
Sunday, July 18 2010, 1:18PM
“Would I be allowed to walk into a bank with my face covered , No I think they would press the panic button and call for the police . It should be outlawed as it is not even a strict condition of there faith. Also you have to ask if I made my girlfriend go out with her face covered would I not be up on a harassment charge.”
by trev leics, leicester
Saturday, July 17 2010, 12:53PM
“I cannot take these people with covered faces seriously, I feel only contempt for them.”
by bob, leicester
Friday, July 16 2010, 11:42PM
“Whats all the fuss about ? This is all PC media rantings ,The French have not, along with the Belgians tried to ban the Burka all they are saying is that face coverings are a no,no in their society. Nothing to do with any religion at all.
But if you do want to complain about face coverings in this country try to fill up your vehicle with fuel wearing a piece of protective head gear. Say no more .:<”
by anon, leic
Friday, July 16 2010, 7:18PM
“Did mrs Nazir choose to wear a burka after getting married or has she been subject to ideological coercion?”