Ban the burka?
OK, so it's been in the news a lot lately and was also the topic for debate on TV this morning. At the risk of opening yet another can of worms, this is my view.
My ex-husband worked in Saudi Arabi for 2 years. At the time it was assumed that, once his 2 years was up, he would gain family status and we would go out there to join him. Sadly, things didn't work out but if we had gone, myself and my daughter would not have been able to go out alone, we would have had to wear burkas when we left the compound and there was no question of us not heeding these laws. They were laws of the country and you respect them or you get the hell out.
Now, I'm all for equality but it works both ways. If people want to live in our country, I don't have a problem with that, but you have to respect our laws. Bikers have to remove their crash helmets when entering petrol stations so that the cashier can see their faces. It is not the case for women wearing burkas. Muslims have taken offence to being asked to remove their veils but are allowed to wear them as part of their uniform if they work for British Airways, however, a devout Christian had to remove her crucifix?
Come on people. Fair's fair, we have to live by your laws and customs in your country, please respect ours? If you don't like it, you don't have to stay. I know a lot of people will say they are as British as us, which is fair point but if my child was born in Saudi Arabia, it would have to live by Saudi rules not atheist rules!
Equality has to be across the board, not selective.
My ex-husband worked in Saudi Arabi for 2 years. At the time it was assumed that, once his 2 years was up, he would gain family status and we would go out there to join him. Sadly, things didn't work out but if we had gone, myself and my daughter would not have been able to go out alone, we would have had to wear burkas when we left the compound and there was no question of us not heeding these laws. They were laws of the country and you respect them or you get the hell out.
Now, I'm all for equality but it works both ways. If people want to live in our country, I don't have a problem with that, but you have to respect our laws. Bikers have to remove their crash helmets when entering petrol stations so that the cashier can see their faces. It is not the case for women wearing burkas. Muslims have taken offence to being asked to remove their veils but are allowed to wear them as part of their uniform if they work for British Airways, however, a devout Christian had to remove her crucifix?
Come on people. Fair's fair, we have to live by your laws and customs in your country, please respect ours? If you don't like it, you don't have to stay. I know a lot of people will say they are as British as us, which is fair point but if my child was born in Saudi Arabia, it would have to live by Saudi rules not atheist rules!
Equality has to be across the board, not selective.
