to say something about his constituents covering their faces with veils when he is trying to communicate with them. I appreciate their religious beliefs and customs but they are now in Great Britain and if they wish to be 'British' then they should act so and there should be some give and take. When I have visited eastern countries I have respected their requests to cover up etc. I have not gone into the country expecting that they fit in with me! What do you think?
2006-10-05 22:44:23 · 19 answers · asked by shirley p 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The Muslim's have not get a leg to stand on with this one... Can you imagine walking into a Muslim run Shop/Business or a Mosque.. dressed like Dick Turpin or Jesse James.. or even Geraldo... with your Bandana round your face... Hi! its me...! Who ? I cant see you ... take that off ...No Chance this is how I want to dress... Could you imagine it... there would be Police & Special Forces surrounding you - screaming at you ..ths is the Police Remove your Veil ! now or we will shoot... What are they hiding for anyway..have they something to hide ? I am concerned about the way a lot of Muslim women are treated - are they covering up injuries ?
2006-10-05 22:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm not going to get into this debate. All I will say is that it seems coincidental that every time the whole Muslim-Christian/Islam-West debate goes a bit quiet, someone seems to stir it up. First there was that cartoon in the Danish newspaper, then the Pope (ex Hitler Jugend for crying out loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) made comments about Islam, now Jack Straw, the Former Home Secretary and now Leader of the House of Commons, makes comments which he must know fall into what is a sensitive area for Muslims.
Although these subjects aren't directly related to one another, it does seem to me that someone, somewhere, has a vested interest in keeping the tension stoked up. Plus, its noticeable that every few weeks, something hits the news which involves someone criticising Islam or the Muslims, or immigrant populations somewhere. Aside from being insensitive, its a bit bloody stupid. These are meant to be responsible people with a vested interest in law and order and the preservation of society. There's a definite lack of calming statements from responsible senior people. It would be nice to see the Prime Minister or the Pope genuinely calling for people of all faiths and races to live together in harmony - after all, its what ALL the Holy Books of ALL the major religions preach, to some extent or another.
It all reminds me a bit of George Orwell's '1984', in which there is a never-ending war which may or may not in fact be happening, but which is conducted in all seriousness by the state. In the novel, the main purpose of this war is posited as the destruction of surplus and the attainment of a constant fever-pitch amongst the population as a whole, thereby making them compliant and preventing them revolting against the state. Paranoid? Yes, just a bit.
2006-10-05 23:14:34 · answer #2 · answered by JimHist 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't mind if people want to put two pink feathers up each nostril, if they feel like. I think the state should refuse to recognise any religion, after all the majority of us believe that these people (any religion) are just worshipping a fairy tale book.
I think the state is right to say to any faith that conceals their identity (I know that is not the purpose of the veil) with clothing,
"You're not doing that when we need to see you face".
I think the reason we find the face covering distasteful in this country is that we perceive it as a Muslim man not wanting another man seeing his wife's face, because it belongs to him.
We also see it as treating women as property and we know that some men from this faith have some very "old fashion" views on who wears the trousers.
2006-10-05 23:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by iusedtolooklikemyavatar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an immigrant to the UK, I firmly agree with the view that 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'. Otherwise, why would I want to stay here and call this lovely country my home? I fit into the society and act british. I wouldn't dream of disrespecting your culture by trying to force down your throat other ways (that otherwise you might be interested to sample but not live that way - otherwise you would want to move where I'm from). These selfish gits just want the benefits, they hate your country, your people and your culture. Why do you let this scum soil this beautiful country? Well done Jack Straw!
2006-10-05 23:03:54 · answer #4 · answered by Luvfactory 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Felidae.
Most people who go abroad to traditionally Muslim countries rarely try to fit in with them ie wearing very little - shorts, bikinis etc.
I do think though that as humans, body language and facial expressions are vital in our communication with each other. By covering her face entirely, or just showing her eyes, humans do not like this. We want to be able to read other peoples emotions.
I have nothing against the way Muslim women dress, including headwear/scarves but facial veils to me seem too much.
2006-10-05 22:50:24 · answer #5 · answered by DemonicaB 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
After answering someone else's question and thinking it wasn't right for him to ask this, I do see your point. I think it's the way he's asking it that is offending people. But it's true - if we were to go to a Muslim country, we would be expected to cover up or we would be treated badly. Why do they think they can treat us badly if we don't respect their customs in their country but they don't have to do the same in ours? Sometimes I don't understand why they chose to move to Britain. If they don't like anything about our country and want to maintain the practices they had at home, why did they leave?
2006-10-05 22:48:25 · answer #6 · answered by Iknowsomestuff 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I nearly cheered when I read it in the paper this morning! Although I reckon he will now get loads of sh*t for it, he said what sooooo many of think and made me realise that maybe they do have a clue what we want!
I wholeheartedly agree with you that if they want to be here and have the benefit of our system, they should cpomply with certain aspects of our culture. When we go abroad we have to abide by their rules and don't complain about having to do so so why cannot they do the same!
Hoorah that someone seems to have the guts to say something.
PS to reason4living, how do they respect our beliefs in our country? We are expected to say nothing about our beliefs in case we offend them!
2006-10-05 22:54:32 · answer #7 · answered by kerrykinsmalosevich 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I totally agree with you.
When you are visiting a foreign country as a tourist, you are required rightly so, to dress and behave in a way in respect of their culture and tradition.
When you choose to live in a foreign country, you have to be considerate with the people culture, especially when it is matter to communication, and they can appreciate that in Western culture would welcome to see people faces as a matter of courtesy.
2006-10-05 23:05:13 · answer #8 · answered by Pimprenelle 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This doesn't happen very often but I agree with Jack Straw on this one - I much prefer to see someones' face when speaking to them.
It is completely reasonable to ASK someone to take off a mask - he didn't DEMAND that they did.
You'd find it a bit offputting if I wandered around with a balaclava on.
2006-10-05 22:57:29 · answer #9 · answered by LongJohns 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
i totally agree with him too!!
people these days are frightened of kids wearing hoodies, because you cant see a clear image of their face, and theyre called yobs!! people that cover their whole face are even worse, you can only see their eyes, god knows what theyre planning behind that veil!!
its true theyre in britain now, they chose to come here, respect our religion!! they adopt our country so they should have to adopt our religion.
2006-10-05 22:58:02 · answer #10 · answered by Happyworms 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋