The Burqa In Ballymena - A Bit Of Light Relief ...

[ichkeria]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/heres-what-happens-when-you-wear-a-burka-in-northern-ireland-towns-34265113.html

[woofgang]

How is that light relief?

[ichkeria]

Sometimes you have to laugh in spite of it all

[ummmm]

Still don't get it.

[wired]

Light relief? No. Northern Ireland is tolerant of all religions and races isn't it?

[ummmm]

I just can't see any light relief in reading that people hurl abuse at someone, regardless of the circumstances.

Where we're from if someone was walking round town in a Burka I think the whole town would stop and stare. Then everyone would start phoning each other, and it'll be all the talk in the pub...

[Mamyalynne]

There were but a few pinpricks of light through the vitriol.

[sandyRoe]

Ballymena is prime bigot country. Even so, the reactions the burkha wearer evoked could be seen all all across Northern Ireland.
I saw yobs yell from a passing van at a woman wearing a headscarf on University Road.

[ichkeria]

I had someone from Ballymena tell me that the police often stop people in scarves and hoodies on cold days and tell them to remove them.
Maybe she thought I had never been there ...

Anyway, I thought you would know me well enough to see that I was being ironic about the "light relief"
All the same, laughing at the bigots is sometimes a good idea, not that there was much laughter to be had there.

[ichkeria]

And isn't reassuring to know that there is one part of the UK where we can tell ourselves that the bigotry is worse, or at least, more "outspoken"

[jomifl]

/All the same, laughing at the bigots is sometimes a good idea/

but who are the bigots...there is a degree of subjectivity here.

[ichkeria]

A degree of subjectivity? There certainly is I would say :-)

[keyplus90]

I am a Muslim - Yes

Do I personally like Burkah or any kind of face covering? No I don't

Would I force someone to take it off only because I don't like or agree with it? No, I wouldn't

[jomifl]

I agree with Keyplus, people shouldn't be forced to remove face coverings but there should perhaps be some sensible restriction on where they can not be worn. Banks and police stations and schools come to mind.

[naomi24]

Keyplus, you've changed your tune! Have you forgotten that, some years ago, you told me to wear one, assuring me that my husband would still love me?

[Mamyalynne]

There's a world of difference between stopping briefly and staring at a sight on your high street you haven't seen before - and hurling abuse,accusations or telling someone what to do with their apparel.

[vulcan42]

\\ Do I personally like Burkah or any kind of face covering? No I don't - that's why I don't wear one.
Would I force someone to take it off only because I don't like or agree with it? No, I wouldn't, but I would make them wear one.//

[DTCwordfan]

How about having to put a veil on in front of some dodgy Argie in white or red robes?

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/52111135-the-queen-and-pope-john-paul-ii-exchanging-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=YXv5reLyr1uV%2FlP1yX%2BbV%2BwOiSAL%2BEizbNqKFdTnlj5tCGjmZ5XF6sQ62By1l%2B5Ikt9oslqVAR%2BVeTUucXlge0IKgxOLuKAoFAL%2Bo8uC45k%3D

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/60/5e/21/605e21bfd3efa0f10345b9f43983efe3.jpg

http://us.hellomagazine.com/images/stories/1/2015/03/09/000/032/226/body_5_3.jpg

[B00]

Try though I might, I really do dislike the burka look, it's just so alien looking, and I genuinely can't see any benefits to the wearer. Especially when the line...

"Inside my burka I smiled back at these kind strangers. Sadly, they couldn’t see my gratitude."

...was made by the reporter. How terribly sad when something so innocent as a smile can't be received.

[naomi24]

^It's a sad garment altogether.

[Old_Geezer]

She should smile with her eyes.