Photo Credit: Muna Ali
Worn by thousands of Muslim women around the world, this ‘piece of cloth’ (the burka) has dominated our newspapers, and has caused controversy all around the world. With some countries wanting to ban it, it is no wonder it has caused uproar in the large Muslim community.
Husna Al- Bashir, a 29-year-old Arabic teacher is angry and upset that a ban could even be considered. “I only started wearing the burka two years ago as I went on a pilgrimage to Hajj,” she said, “Over there it’s compulsory for all women to cover their faces. I’ve been wearing it ever since, and I’ve gotten use to it. It makes me angry that they are considering banning it, it doesn’t do any harm, most people think women are forced to wear it, when in fact we choose to wear it. We are just trying to be modest, and cover our beauty.”
The bill, which was presented and read in parliament during June of last year, has the second reading due in a few weeks time. If passed it will become illegal for Muslim women covering of the face in public places. Husna went onto to say, “We have made a petition and have over 5,000 signatures, and we need to fight this because if they do ban the burka what will they ban next, the Hijab?”
With thousands of people all across Britain wearing the burka, many people are in favour of banning the burka and believe it shouldn’t be worn in public places.
19 year-old- Jessy, is in favour of the burka ban and thinks women should only wear hijabs in public. “It is scary because you don’t know who is behind the veil. Last month that girl was convicted of throwing acid on her friends face. The person who did it wasn’t even a Muslim; it should be banned because it prevents stuff like that happening. If the ‘burka ban’ were to be simply for airport security and other security checks then it wouldn’t be a problem, we shouldn’t be focusing on a very small number of women trying to practice what they believe to be a religious duty. We should be protecting their right and freedom to choose to wear the burka and not take that right away from them.”
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