Has Been,

No, a nikab, you could still see her lovely eyes - and of course, with only that much showing, I had an excuse to stare at them :) We had quite a lively conversation, I was surprised how open she was, even laughing at my feeble jokes.

Joe

Dear May May,

I'm not an "old timer," and neither are many
other people posting on this forum. Besides what does age
have to do with anything? Nobody is suggesting
for example that you're some pubescent teenager
with little life experience. Age doesn't really
matter if the arguments are well-reasoned and intelligent.

As for the burqa debate? There are many reasons why people
argue against burqas. One that has not been mentioned yet
is the fact that we do have an institutional framework that
preserves tolerance and protects order so that we can
celebrate and enjoy diversity in food, in music, in religion, in language and culture.

The burqa is worn by choice, not as
a part of the Islamic relgion. And seeing as it is a choice
our government is requesting that for security reasons it
not be worn in Parliament House. The same would apply if
you were to travel to the Middle-East. Western women would
be required to comply with a certain code of dress.

There are countries that restrict
women's dress - Saudi Arabia comes to mind. Australia is not
one of those countries. When coming to this country you are
asked to subscribe to certain values. If you have strong
objections to those values, don't come to Australia.
However there are certain laws that we are all required to
abide by - and it seems that wearing a burqa is now considered
to be a "security risk." Few people would have a problem
with that - unless you're a man from the Middle-East who wants
to keep your females "in their place."

Hey May May,

No, not really. Most of us on this thread so far have been supportive.

On the bus, I might look dim-witted and half-asleep but I'm just watching, and I've never seen any hostility to any Muslim women; I think that would be slapped down pretty quick.

One thing I've learnt (at last) is that sometimes a Muslim woman doesn't feel comfortable sitting next to a man who is not her husband or son. So a couple of times, I've got up and given a Muslim woman my seat, even though there was a vacant one next to me. I don't think it is antipathy, just modesty, especially if they might be seen by a Muslim man and reported. Well, that's my take on it.

Joe

As much as I believe people should be able to wear what they like, as long as they are not indecent, I do have problems with women wearing either the Burka or the Nikab in public.
I feel they are hiding their facesand/or eyes for the wrong reasons, in a country that embraces democracy and secular values. This sort of dress had nothing to do with religion originally, and everything to do with ancient customs of men keeping 'their' women only for their view alone.

The women who wear their traditional dress, including scarves that cover their heads, but not their face or eyes, look lovely. I don't see how covering their whole face, to let everyone know what religion they follow, is needed. I also don't understand why their male family members don't wear traditional dress too.

However, women in this country should be free to wear what they like unless it is
against the law. I didn't like the way the PM handled the speech he gave on this subject.
He could inflame an already upset Muslim community.
No one ever went on about Catholic nuns of Irish descent hiding bombs under their habits!

Either Abbott goes ahead and proposes a law that prohibits all face-coverings of any kind in high security areas (many people of Asian appearance like to wear masks, and bikies often leave helmuts on as well), or he should just leave it alone.

For once I agree with Foxy,

If I tried to enter parliament (or a bank) with a full face helmet, balaclava, or anything else that obscured my face, I would be prevented from entering. The issue of the wearing of Burqas in a security environment needs to be separated from the right to wear religious garb in public places.

Dear May May, Nuns lost their Habits in the 1970's. Been living under a rock, by any chance?

MM: Anything culturally different excites and flames your fear, bigotry and hatreds.

Not true, The attitude that comes with it does.

Things that don't inflame, Irish dancing, Line dancing, Italian/Greek/Indian/Asian/Lebanese/ any sort of Food, Scottish/Irish Kilts on Burns & Paddys Day & lots of other things that "aren't" insisting that Australian Culture has to change to meet their expectations.

Things that do inflame me, being told that Australians are, Rapists/Infidels/Unclean meat, etc. Not to mention Xmas/Easter, as it upsets some people in certain communities. Not being able to walk around anywhere in Australia I choose without being spat at & abused E.g; Lakemba, etc. Drug pushers & Car rebirthers. People training Terrorists to kill Australians.

MM: Many of you people here, old timers it seems, are exactly what modern Australia is NOT.

& Ageists.

Oh! that was Bucket, not Buck. Just in case you missed it.