Loading... The burqa... Reveal or conceal? Should society allow it?...

In America, with its cultural dedication to individual freedom of thought and expression, anyone should be at liberty to walk (or drive) around wearing a face cover if she likes. If that makes it more difficult for the authorities to practice pervasive surveillance of the people, that's just too bad.

In Europe, with its more statist traditions, they can regulate dress to their hearts' content. Ban the burqa if they want.

In Australia ... a year in jail or $5500, Adams? Really? All I can say to that is that Australians have always been a little crazy.

I don't believe in the fining or banning of religious wear; however,those that make it harder for law enforcement to identify them as part of routine policy need to understand that they must either comply by exposing one's face or be inconvenienced by being taken to the nearest station where female law enforcement can do the identification/search. Those at airports will need to be subjected to body scans at security checkpoints. In the courtroom, a woman in a burqa should have the right to have a female bailiff ascertain her identity in private before entering as a witness. I hope the U.S. never bows to Sharia Law.

In Australia they are currently changing the legislation that would give police the power to ask people to remove head coverings. If they cannot identify the person, how do they know they really have a license?

The fines in France for wearing a burqa in public, which is completely banned, is $202. Australia plan to make it a mandatory one year jail sentence for failing t remove the burqa or a $5500 fine!

For now, there is a legal loophole that is preventing officers from identifying suspected criminals. It is a complicated topic but in reality, if you are asked to prove your identification by the law enforcement wherever, you should comply, regardless of religious beliefs.

The burqa question is far to complicated to give a short answer and would involve too much research to write a hub on the matter. For myself, I find the whole thing offensive for people in general and women specificaly, in this case, to be told how they should dress,that includes having to and not being allowed to, wear the burka.

However there are situations where, for crime prevention or security, the agenciies dealing with these matters need to see a woman's face, it is absurd to have to wait for a police woman or other female officer to be available to do the work, This form of special treatment is not part of western society and is to be discouraged.

The picture for this question is the right answer for your questions.

I think that religious choices are a just that. A choice. No country should dictate what a woman can or cant wear, isnt that what "freedom of religion" is all about ? Banning something just because its different is just wrong and sad and a disgrace to humanity.

Instead of saying oh " we need to make sure the person is really who she says she is". wouldnt a female pair of eyes do the same job? you could just have a female cop look at her if shes pulled over while driving, or one of the female witnesses look at her in a trial.

I think people make too many excuses.

instead we should be finding better ways to deal with all situations.

That is a very interesting question. I can understand both sides. On one hand law enforcement must be able to do their job, and it creates numerous problems especially since they can be hiding weapons under all that fabric.

On the other hand, how do we outlaw something that is integral to carrying out the tenants of their faith? While I don't agree with their faith, I do believe that people should have the freedom to practice their faith.

If a woman of any faith, or race or whatever is handled by law enforcement-they usually use female officer which may be the key to the burga issue.