British Muslim radicals were among at least 61 people arrested in Paris today in connection with an illegal rally against France’s burkha ban. They included Anjem Choudary, the radical cleric who advocates sharia law for the UK and who calls British soldiers murderers.
What do you think? Should Britain have a ban on the burkha, (and associated Islamic headgear).
I'm uncomfortable with the Burkha. It's my belief that if immigrants come here from the third world, then they should try and adhere to the customs of the host country. If I went to Pakistan, I wouldn't wear a kilt, (not that I wear one much now), nor would I wear traditional western trousers, if that wasn't the custom. In fact those nightie things the men wear there look very comfy. On the other hand, my instincts tell me that people should be able to dress as they want. Where I do have worries though is how many Muslim women actually want to dress in traditional Muslim garb and how many are doing it because of their husbands?
There is also the security aspect. Who knows who is underneath a Burkha? Who knows if it's even a woman? Can they see properly? Should they be allowed to drive wearing headgear? So, I would say on balance, although I don't have any strong opinions either way, I would say that on balance, the banning of Islamic headgear for women would be desirable.
