tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post116106241104453707..comments2024-01-18T12:02:23.977+00:00Comments on African Shirts: Lifting the veilNkemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16179240558587295386noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161198102131514012006-10-18T19:01:00.000+00:002006-10-18T19:01:00.000+00:00Damn! Blair came out today to say that Muslim wome...Damn! Blair came out today to say that Muslim women shouldn't wear the veil (Niqab) cause it makes other people feel uncomfortable?!? How about the their right to feel comfortable? Its interesting how all the politicians are jumping on the bandwagon as its seen as an indirect way to attack islam and thus win votes. I don't see anyone talking about how the skinheads with their tatoos make me feel uncomfortable (mainly cause I need to resist the urge to knock them the f*** out).<BR/><BR/>And Akin I disgree that 'those who seek his parliamentary consultation should reveal who they are' him asking these women to remove their veils is about power. He is the elected MP who role is to support his electorate, he is in a position of power and of course if he asks these women invariably they'd be obliged to remove the veil whether they like it or not cause they need his help.<BR/><BR/>Nkem its very relevant that its Jack Straw who raised the issue. He's been the MP for Blackburn for over 20years (an area that has over 25% muslims) and all of a sudden when he wants to get a hgh profile in order to seek a role as deputy PM after Blair he raises an issue that has been b4 his eyes all this while. Come on...Morountodunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00212171263671310647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161185173614607142006-10-18T15:26:00.000+00:002006-10-18T15:26:00.000+00:00It probably is not Jack Straw's place to dictate w...It probably is not Jack Straw's place to dictate who should wear the veil, but it is definitely within his rights to request that those who seek his parliamentary consultation should reveal who they are.<BR/><BR/>What next, would we have passports with photos of veiled women if they have to travel? We know, that would just not cut it, the fully exposed face is still the primary form of identification - at least in the West.<BR/><BR/>I have to take off my hat when I show my passport at customs checks.<BR/><BR/>This subject of being veiled is not for the emancipated, I fear to say, it is for those whose life revolves around the bedroom, the kitchen and the market.<BR/><BR/>If you do more, then you cannot seriously take the veil in Western and democratic societies and expect to assessible, friendly and communicative.<BR/><BR/>My views are further expounded <A HREF="http://akin.blog-city.com/beyondtheveil.htm" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161179489293534682006-10-18T13:51:00.000+00:002006-10-18T13:51:00.000+00:00Nkem there has been an ongoing discussion for week...Nkem there has been an ongoing discussion for weeks now about the burqa at brownfemipower.com from a feminist and anti-imperialist viewpoint...do check it out, then lets talk. it all began here: <BR/>http://brownfemipower.com/?p=460<BR/><BR/>and ended here:<BR/>http://brownfemipower.com/?p=521<BR/><BR/>Please note that I am not saying the veil is good. like monef said, I wouldn't want to be veiled. And I am against the oppression of women everywhere, and support arab women fighting patriarchy in their countries/communities. What I have a problem with is the imperialist and racist and entitled undertone of western media when it comes to arabs.Questhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13821694533219072456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161176849957946492006-10-18T13:07:00.000+00:002006-10-18T13:07:00.000+00:00Should the muslim women ban the veil from other wo...Should the muslim women ban the veil from other women who want to wear it? That is my issue. I'm sure you'll be able to find some women who would agree with Straw's request that ppl unveil when they meet with him...just like you'll find some nigerians who say "all of us nigerians lack critical thinking." House niggers are a dime a dozen.<BR/><BR/>My point: when it comes to an article of clothing (veiling is not threatening anybody's life) Straw or any of the hypothetical muslim women agreeing with him can't force someone to give up something that holds religious significance for them. That's how I see it. If a muslim woman does not want to veil, she can either stop veiling, start a revolution or dialogue within her religion (which I would support), or leave her oppresive community and live like any other religious person in the world who decides to break rules that make no sense to them. Nobody is dying here. <BR/><BR/>I think what really infuriates me about discussions such as these is that ppl act like muslim women have no choice in the matter. She carried her hand and put veil for her face. If she doesn't like the veil, she will stop wearing it. Govt (or outsiders to the religion) cannot regulate such things. It's not our right! Now if it's something like FGM that victims are obviously being physically and psychologically abused, that is a different matter. <BR/><BR/>Another issue that concerns me: this dialogue is not taking place between the ppl most affected by veiling. You're not muslim, neither is Jack Straw or the british media or myself. How is this legitimate "dialogue" when its the nonmuslims bitchin about it? None of us have any right to make the decision for them over a matter that is so culturally specific and non-life threatening.Questhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13821694533219072456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161120067742315272006-10-17T21:21:00.000+00:002006-10-17T21:21:00.000+00:00Forget that it was Jack Straw who sparked the deba...Forget that it was Jack Straw who sparked the debate. There are Muslim women out there who agree with him, is the debate any less valid?Nkemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16179240558587295386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161118078033179342006-10-17T20:47:00.000+00:002006-10-17T20:47:00.000+00:00My issue with this is that I don't think that it i...My issue with this is that I don't think that it is Jack Straw's place to dictate whether women can wear a veil or not. I do however feel very strongly that as a child I would have hated it if my teacher was veiled. Teacher student relations are difficult to establish without the presence of a physical barrier let alone when you cannot read facial expressions!Monefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04864659934704793785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18540171.post-1161113630658505852006-10-17T19:33:00.000+00:002006-10-17T19:33:00.000+00:00I think the issue of "why women wear the veil" is ...I think the issue of "why women wear the veil" is irrelevant. It's about respect. Jack Straw and others like him need to get over themselves - ýou can't ask someone who has been veiling to show her face to you just bcuz the veil makes you icky. It's ridiculous that people like him are telling women how to dress. Veil-don't veil...what makes him think he has the right to dictate what muslim women should or should not wear? He's as bad as the muslim men he's so worried about.Questhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13821694533219072456noreply@blogger.com