Interesting replies, and I'm beginning to see the arguments that are weighing the burqa issue as a potential paternalistic nanny-state issue (Which, on consideration would be rather frightening), as opposed to an issue of opposition to wahabism and allowances or discouragement to its practice; or alternatively, that others might apply to someone wearing an offensive item of clothing, would (I'm not sure we actually DO that though).

On a side note, for either reason it was banned, what would you think would occur as a result (not on the assumption of what the opposition implies, but what YOU actually think).

For example, unless you actually believe the Burqa is only worn by a woman to avert being punished by her husband or male relatives (and I think its bull), what do you think would happen if it were banned?
I doubt it would further alienate them (as I'm convinced they were never remotely endeared to westerners to begin with).

But what do you think?

Given the outright disrespect and independence that some feminist have towards their husbands I rather think the sign of respect and submission is far less harmful than the godless feminist dogma. Nothing irks the feminist more than to see a happily married woman is successful at home, successful at work and is happy to accept the spiritual headship of her husband. Feminist dogma is rarely good for harmony in a family and is usually supported by emasculated males who have no courage of their convictions. NO wonder so many men are now diagnosed with depression.

To ban or not to ban, that is the question.

Touché, I know.

If people want to ban the burqa to eliminate oppression of women...wouldn't the oppression simply be manifested in other ways?

If you want to ban it to prevent extremism...how do you eradicate the extremist thoughts in people's heads?

If you want to ban it for security purposes because you can't see the face or because anything can be hidden under it...what do we do with costume parties or ski fields (where face exposure is usually a no no) and some of the more fashionable over-sized sunnies out there or priests' robes, nuns' habits or costumes in general?

Driver's licences, security checks at airports etc are instances when we should require clear face visibility. Why can't we work from here and have a debate free of the I'll-scare-you-more-with-my-argument claims.

http://www.currentglobalperceptions.blogspot.com/

Jorge is right. We should just start by banning the actual face being covered by ANYONE, when in banks, airport security, or any other secure area where faces need to be shown. This would include balaclavas, bike helmets, and all face veils.

Other than for security reasons, people should be allowed to wear what they like. If these devout burqa-wearing Muslim women are forbidden by law to wear a face-covering in public, then I would worry that they would be restricted in their movements even more than they already were!

I also believe that these Muslim families who move here permanently will surely eventually come to see our way of life in Australia, and the reasons why they moved here rather than stay in a middle east country, may change their strict views and allow their women to uncover their faces.

Briar Rose:
<<How many of us engaged in this argument actually know a woman who wears a burqa? How many of us have asked her why she wears it? >>

If you want to speak to woman wearing the niqab you could go to the forums section of Muslimvillage.com, speak to them there or invited over here. Just a suggestion which i thought may be worth making.

"We should just start by banning the actual face being covered by ANYONE, when in banks, airport security, or any other secure area where faces need to be shown. This would include balaclavas, bike helmets, and all face veils."

Such rules have been in place for many years, in any case. Motorcycle helmets have been banned in banks since the early 80s, for instance.

If you're going to ban the burqa for security reasons, and I support the ban for that reason alone let alone the misogynistic ones, think about who or what you might find under a burga. How would you know, exactly? The garb has already been used in several robberies (without the religion of the perpetrator being publicised). Burqa is the pefect disguise!