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Yes, 'encouraging them' to integrate is the way forward - not legally forcing them
What if the issue was about men carrying a sword at all times, as part of a religious traditional dress, this would not be tolerated. Even though there is no intention of using that weapon, it would only be as part of their dress, they would have to conform to the society they lived in if carrying such a thing was illegal. In this case, Holland is accommodating the popular feelings of the time by banning the Burqa and will probably not stop until they have made it clear no religious symbolism can be flaunted excessively in certain places of their society. In this case it just means any Burqa wearer who moved to Holland would have to change to fit the laws they already have and the ones who already live there have to change to fit the new laws, like when speed limits are altered or smoking bans are imposed.
(By the way, the sword is just an example of something that could be used as part of traditional dress, i am not calling the Burqa by comparison a dangerous weapon, but i am explaining this as sometimes i feel i have to spell it all out for some people)
Fair point that- Sikhs are supposed to carry a small knife in their turban to "defend their faith", yet they don't in this country because of what it symbolises here.
I don't especially care what people wear, I find the jilbab odious but I can see Lucie's point, and its something I hadn't really thought of. It's interesting that its nearly always Muslim men who complain about attacks on the jilbab, though.
But thats not really the point, none of you have come up with any real benefit which this new law will produce, if you are going to take away someone liberty there must be a good reason.
Who does this help?
It's a double edge sword.
I know European ideals promote freedom of expression which includes religion. But it also states that people should be free from supression which the Burqa quite clearly is.
If the bill passes then I'm afraid Muslims who wear Burqa's are going to have to accept it, wrongly or rightly.
Who says it has to be a benefit. Why should it not be a counter-act to how relations between Muslims and non-Muslims is ever continually detereorating?
I mean, most people when they see a Burqa they think "why is she wearing this, has she got something to hide, why is she not like us."
Not, "oh bless, it's her civil/religious liberty and she's allowed to express that freely" Not everyone has a grasp of these notions, it's why there's an incredible amount of racism about in Europe and also an incredible amount of anti-West sentiment. It's fear of the unknown.
God that's scraping the barrell. What if it was to enforce an ideal that suits the majority of the people?
That is why i added a post script, because when every i pointed out a government had a responsibility to the people who elected them, a fair few people then went on to use the comparison of banning the burqa to be the same as creating a law to commit genocide. I was just trying to keep my examples to be about clothing though.
Welcome to the world of politics.
well i'm glad someone understands, it's becoming a recurring theme in 21st century politics.....
So forcing women to dress differently just because others dont like it is going to make community relations better?
Obviosly paedos are a small threat and minor invonvenience compared with those evil Muslims...
Doubt it. Can see the logic though.
Always seemed pretty clear who was to be helped. The current right-wing government in the Netherlands, with its hard-line views on immigration.
You'd assume that the cabinet backing a law targetting Muslims just 5 days before a general election isn't an accident - although it looks like welfare reforms will in the end be a much bigger issue than immigration.
Always strange to realise that the liberal image portrayed in Amsterdam isn't a reflect of Holland as a whole.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6170444.stm
Removing burqas, perhaps ?
At precisely what number would you draw the line ?
That`s very absolute,wouldn`t you say ?
I find the "unknown" quite exciting.