"HOWEVER, as I recall the discussion had very sensibly turned to a level of agreement that it's use should be banned not on religious grounds and only in specific circumstances where public or individual safety is at risk. This approach does not victimise nor does it criminalise the wearer."

You just contradicted yourself.If the wearing of a burqa is banned, than anyone wearing it will break the law, end up in court, with a conviction - hence, the Law will make criminals out of them. A dangerous precedent I'd suggest!

I think if you read through all the posts, you'll see that some people like you, believe that it should be banned!

Where would they be banned from? I'd suggest that boys wearing 'hoodies' have committed more crimes in this country than women wearing a burqa? Where do we draw the line? Men with full facial beards wearing sunnies and a caftan type outfit? A Catholic bishop/priests etc wear dresses? Look at the gathering during World Youth Week? They could've had an AK47 under their 'dresses'? A security risk? A good idea is to ask who is calling for a ban, and what is their reason? It's Senator Bernadino and Fred Nile - both extreme right wing fundamentalist christians, who've objected to a Muslim school etc and made pretty hateful comments about Islam! That's what is behind this. I don't think women object to uncovering their faces in a bank etc or on their drivers licence etc?

They engage in 'dog whistling' tactics. They make comments that on the surface may sound OK, but their real message is to the racists, haters and bigots! That's why they carry on. Catholic nuns wore full length dresses for years-if they wore sunnies you wouldn't see much of their faces either. In all the yrs of going to school etc, not one word of concern. This is a beat up!

Good points, Liz.

I don't think I've ever seen a woman in a burqa, but then I live a very sheltered life. A couple of women wearing nikabs, yes - neither looked at all threatening (my God, they had the most beautiful eyes ! And there are aspects that no abaya can conceal).

I wonder if any woman in Australia wearing a nikab has EVER held up a bank, compared to people wearing hoodies ? Or bike-helmets ? Any stats on any of this, or are we just going by gut feelings ?

Thought so. So yes, I agree that this whole thing is a beat-up.

There is a time to flare up, and there is a time to live and let live, guys.

I don't suppose too many banks get robbed by burqa-clad humanoids in little old Adelaide.
But given time and a self-destructive immigration policy which doesn't discriminate against Islamists,
they should be coming soon to a bank near you too.

"Niqabs and Burqas – The Veiled Threat Continues"
http://www.faithfreedom.org/op-ed/niqabs-and-burqas-the-veiled-threat-continues/

You aren’t going to ban them Jan but you want to tell them where and when they can where them and this you feel by your standards is not victimizing them?

Maybe we should introduce a national uniform and practice what we preach. And burn down the mosques because they surely represent everything a burqa does.

After we tell people how to dress and remove all places of worship – what comes next?

I should go back and read the thread; I came in way too late. Have bridal veils, nuns’ habits, motorbike helmets in banks, long hair when driving, burns victims with masks, sunglasses, facial tattoos, criminals using disguises anyway, French people and ugly people all been covered yet?

"After we ... remove all places of worship – what comes next?"

Why would we do that?
Surely they are places of peace, aren't they?
Like their religion of peace?

"Swedish Politician infiltrates large mosque in Stockholm"
http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=28299

Hi Proxy,

Yeah, even in Adelaide, we don't see too many boogey-men either. I thought I saw an honest politican once, but that was just a mirage.

So as soon as you hear about a woman in a nikab or burqa holding up a bank or post office - or any enterprise whatever - let me know and I will grovel before you :)

But only on condition that you lay off persecuting them until that happens ? Deal ?

Joe
Adelaide