Quote Originally Posted by Rhyfhylwyr View Post
When it comes to the burqa I think women should be free to wear whatever they want so long as it complies with public decency laws. But at the same time, we should not do anything further to accomodate them in the name of 'freedom of religion'.

So if Mrs. al-Wahabi wants to wear her burqa while she goes to get her groceries, I see no problem with that and I think it is bizarre when people do have a problem with that. But if she wants to board a plane but doesn't want to show her face for airport security, then that's tough luck for her, no plane ride.

Don't get me wrong. I think the burqa looks ridiculous. It comes from an alien culture that I don't like seeing on my streets. But the proper legislation for dealing with this would relate to immigration, not what people can wear.

Anyway, the concern that some women might be forced to wear the burqa is a valid one. However I see no reason why that issue would not be covered by existing laws.

And as for the discussion on Arab culture here, it is irrelevant. I don't see why Fragony or myself should feel obliged to know anything about national or ethnic cultures besides our own. It is perfectly fine for our viewpoint on the burqa to be shaped by our own legal/security/womens' rights concerns.
Actually, my brother was asked at a hardware store to remove his hood once, because it covered too much of his face. When you go into someone's home or business, you have to obey their laws, and people feel uncomfortable when you conceal your identity like that.
If you want to walk down the street in a burqa, more power to you, but if you are coming into a bank or store, my guess is that if it was not for people being afraid of religious discrimination suits, they would ask them to remove it. In what other circumstances would it be ok for a masked man to walk into a bank and not be asked to remove the mask? (and for all you know, whatever is beneath the burqua is a man. Even if it is not, you don't know if it is a woman with criminal intent)
If I was running a business, I certainly would not want people coming in wearing masks.