Straw and the Veil
Politaholic broadly agrees with Straw's comments on the niqab (the Muslim veil that covers the face). Straw isn't saying that Muslim women should not have the right to wear the niqab; that would be ridiculous. But he is saying he would prefer that they didn't because it impedes communication and signals what might be called a segregationist intent (to shut oneself off). To show ones face to others is a minimum courtesy. The message the veil gives is: "I dislike and distrust you, and I do so to such an extent that I refuse to show you my face". Facial gestures - smiles, grimaces, etc - are also an important part of human communication. The veil says "I don't want to communicate with you". Finally, whatever Muslim women who wear the veil say about it being their own choice it is obvious to me that it is a symbol of the lesser status of women as compared to men (especially when the veiled women walk several paces behind their menfolk).
posted by Politaholic at 1:23 pm
2 Comments:
it is a symbol of the lesser status of women as compared to men (especially when the veiled women walk several paces behind their menfolk) – very true. It also implies that men cannot restrain their lustful urges at the site of a woman.
Anyway, I nearly agree with you in the entirety. However, I don’t agree that Muslim women should have the right to wear the veil, but that is my own prejudice against religon.
Of course woman should wear whatever they want, it is just high time people realised, or were educated, that religion is garbage.
Politaholic
Agree totally. Much bollocks being said re Straw 'imposing' illiberal views on Muslims. He is clearly not doing that but making the simple point that you underline in your post.
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