Burkas V. Mini-Skirts

[Khandro]

Baroness Warsi says banning the burka would be like banning the mini-skirt
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10421608/Banning-veil-would-be-like-outlawing-miniskirts-says-Baroness-Warsi.html
but the comparison is flawed, in fact the mini-skirt is by far the healthier attire. The most important method of obtaining vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight, and in his book (my wife is reading); 'Allah ist mit den Standhaften' Peter Scholl-Latour points to the ill health of women avoiding such exposure,- some even covering the slit they look through with sunglasses. So apart from its other benefits, isn't the mini-skirt the better option?

[sandyRoe]

It's usually easier on the eye, but not always.

[TWR]

Don't start.

[boxtops]

There's no comparison - one's a fashion statement, the other's not.

[Mamyalynne]

As my late Mother would have said regarding some in Mini Skirts "Have they not got a full length mirror!"

[sandyRoe]

I meant the mini skirt is easier on the eye rather than the burkha. Though come to think of it...

[naomi24]

//one's a fashion statement, the other's not. //

One's a fashion statement - the other is often a political statement.

The Baroness is talking out of her burka.

[jno]

I think you'll find the mini was thought equally shocking in its day. And nobody wore them for health benefits. Indeed, as boxtops says, the reasons for wearing them are entirely different.

None the less, Warsi is right. Clothing bans are pointless and wrong.

[naomi24]

I wouldn't saying banning face covering is wrong. I think it's absolutely right. When, for various reasons, the whole population is exposed to CCTV wherever it goes, it's not entirely sensible to allow one section of society complete anonymity.

[jno]

on the contrary, I think the spread of CCTV in public means everyone should have the right to cover up.

And they have.

[naomi24]

Everyone has covered up? I must have missed something.

[aelmpvw]

^ ^ ^ might be a problem in the local bank

[Khandro]

My point is, the Burka is actually unhealthy for the wearer, whereas the mini is actually much healthier.

[mikey4444]

Boxy has it right here. A mini skirt is most definitely a fashion statement and a burka is just about as opposite to that as it is possible to be. But I don't think you can ban the burka, just make sure it is used appropriately. Like not in a court of law, or when teaching children. Just common sense to me.

[anotheoldgit]

"Not The British Way"????????????????

And neither is wearing the Burka, if one comes to Britain one should learn to integrate, and wearing a garment that may well be perfectly in place in say the Middle East, it is defiantly not suited in Britain, in actual fact "it is not the British way" to coin a phrase.

[Gromit]

The state should not dictate what people can and cannot wear. I don't like the burka and what it respresents, but I don't like a lot of things. If people wear it, then that is their call.

People in Burkas should not be able to exempt themselves from CCTV cameras? Of course they should. We all should. The right of the state to photograph our every movement is something they have taken. I don't remember giving my permission.

[askyourgran]

Fashions come and go, not everyone wears mini-skirts. Not everyone wears the burqa, but it appears to be a defiant stance by muslim women (and men?). To me it is pure ignorance on their part and illustrates the continual differences in racial harmony. Supposedly it's worn as a symbol of their religion, but modesty can be attained by wearing something less ugly and divisive. It angers me that they are allowed to cover up and ask for special dispensations at airports and banks, threatening our security. Probably OK for a sandstorm in a desert, but show me a desert here!

[Khandro]

//A mini skirt is most definitely a fashion statement and a burka is just about as opposite to that as it is possible to be//
Well not really, the opposite of a fashion statement would be a non-fashion statement, ie not wearing anything (even healthier), because everything you wear is a statement, including burkas.

[Gromit]

Ironic that countries in the middle east DO dictate what is permissable to wear and they are rightly seen as repressive regimes. Yet many it seems want us to follow suit? I don't want the same restrictions as Saudi Arabia, why do you?

[naomi24]

OK, health. Apart from the obvious physical health risks that you have outlined, the burka encourages an unhealthy mental attitude. Not only does it serve to separate women from the rest of society, but those who wear it for non-political reasons – and the husbands, brothers, and fathers who demand they wear it - perceive it to be protection against unwanted advances from men unknown to them whom they deem perpetually lascivious and predatory –an insult to decent men everywhere. Are you happy to be perceived in that way?

[naomi24]

Gromit, //I don't want the same restrictions as Saudi Arabia, why do you?//

So why inadvertently support the restrictions that Saudi Arabia imposes? You’re doing women no favours.