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Hour 5 - Burqa. Religious Tradition or Oppressive to Women
When it comes to Muslim women wearing Burqas throughout the world, do you feel that it is part of who they are and important to their religious traditions, or is it degrading, oppressive and takes away from who they are? If you are struggling to continue debate, refer to the link below
Yeah! It's their choice! The Taliban is no longer in power, and they aren't being forced to do anything. It's now their decision, and we can't take that away from them.
Yeah! It's their choice! The Taliban is no longer in power, and they aren't being forced to do anything. It's now their decision, and we can't take that away from them and i agree.
yes they do have a choice but that could become a problem to people cant identify you in a burqa. So if you do something illegal lets say they can't tell who you are they can just say oh it was a woman in a burqa, so again no way of telling identification
It might be but a lot are forced to wear them and if they take away from their identity. they might be connecting to allah why dont men have to wear them sholdnt they be connecting to allah also?
I think that the burqa is only oppresive if women don't want to wear it. They are allowed to take it off now, so they aren't forcing them to wear them. I think that those who don't want to take them off shouldn't be forced to. A lot of women feel safe from the rise of kidnappers in Kabul when they are hidden in their burqas. It's a sense of security in dangerous times, and it makes them feel closer to God. It's their choice, their religion, and haven't we been learning about how you should be able to believe what you want to believe? If we take away their freedom of choice, what will we have learned this year at all?
I completly agree with you. When the Taliban fell there was a lot of kidnappers that kidnapped young women and children. The women felt a lot safer wearing them because it conceals thier age
if it is true that women feel safe in dangerouse times, how is that possible, if they can't even see that well out of their veils? they won't know what is coming, and it is more dangerouse because move around and function well!
They feel safer because women who wear more exposed clothing are more likely to be attacked. In a burqa, the predator can't see them, and they don't know who they will be attacking.
well then women won't have their own identity! they won't feel like they are a unique indivinual, and whenever someone sees someone wearing a burqua, they will hardly notice them, because every other woman is wearing one.they could just think of them as the same person every time.
How many people go to church on sunday in thier good clothes? I do! If the burqa is discribed as a religious thing then they could use it for good church clothes. They shouldn't have to be forced to wear something.
i agree with rebecca! that would be a very good time to wear it, if they really wanted to, and then that way people that don't want to wear them, will be happy, as well as people that do!
I agree with you theyshould be able to wear it to church because it is religious but they dont have to wear the burqa all the time if they would like to wear it the perfect time is church because they are already close to allah there and then it will make them feel closer and it could be a special thing that they do
Chase- exactly. Who's idea was it to get rid of the burqa and why? They can wear what they want to. Nobody should make them do something they dont want to.
Burqas are a sign of equality. They look similar so no one can tell if you're rich, poor, old, young, thin, or overweight. That way nobody can bully eachother about thier appearence or daily life.
But they can tell if you are a woman. Men do not have to degrade themselves by having no identity. These things, are part of who you are. If you are just another person hiding in the fabric, then you cannot be just another person.
Well have you ever gotten bullied just cuz your a girl? I don't think so. Most of the women who wear the garment do not feel that it is degrading. Plus, if you think about it, women are always the ones used in advertisement and such for their bodies. Men, not so much. So men don't really need to cover up like women do. And the women are not hiding in the fabric. Think of it as a sheild from unfriendly eyes. Nobody can judge you if they can't see anything but the length of cloth around you.
Adding on to this, many women these days feel used, or like a thing. When these women wear their burqa they feel like they're here for a good reason, and that they are important to this world.
women cant be respected if they are hiding their identity and not being who they really are many women dont want to wear the burqa and they should have that choice
How can they feel important if they have no part of their body showing not even their face...... that would be like someone right now wearing a full covering garbage bag... not to offensive to the burqa!!
How can they feel important if they have no part of their body showing not even their face...... that would be like someone right now wearing a full covering garbage bag... not to offensive to the burqa!!
Not everyone actually needs to wear the burqa. We are just arguing the for those who do choose to wear the burqa, that they may be walking around this earth just like you and me. We must accept our differences in beliefs, and be respectful to all. Again, this only applys to the people who WANT to wear the burqa...
I dont agree.... This is not about equality it is about their freedom. Some women are to scared to take them off because they never know who the people are that are supporting the taliban, they are to scared they will get beaten!
Shay- I agree! They could be beat for not following the rules and taking off thier burqas. The taliban is dangerous and brutal and we know that from expieriance.
but it isnt about being bullied its about women having to wear something that imprisons them everyday. how would you like to have to put this thing over your entire body everytime you just want to walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail or take out the garbage?
I agree with you Emilie... how would you like to put this technicly full body cover to just do simple things like get a full water tank or anything like that?
It's not that WE want to. It's that THEY want to, and that should be all that matters. I don't want to wear a burqa, but I respect a woman's decision to wear it.
I agree with chy. That would be a good idea, it's just that some people dont want to wear thier burqa for whatever reason so they can wear it as a traditon for religious resons. For example, Church.
America is supposed to be the land of the free, and if this is true, the people shouldnt have any problem with diverse beliefs. Yes I understand that this is a world wide situation. what I would say to that is: this is exactly why the world has so much violence and war, people just cant accept others differences.
Religious FREEDOM? This is not exactly being free, when you cannot walk the streets of your home without being attacked for not wearing one. In America it is supposed to be the land of the free. If women are not allowed to be free because their husbands are forcing them to wear this burqa. They are not able to be free. Yes, people in america often have the choice, but if the women themselves are not happy wearing these walking prisons, then why should we not be unhappy about it?
It is freedom for most! their burqa's bring them closer to God, as they feel.Their burqas are a part of their religion and have been for a long time. This is what they feel is normal! What if you wore, say, a cross for your religion, and then someone came up and told you you cant wear it anymore. That is not freedom for you.
Exactly!! These women are treated horribly in their homeland. Now they have to travel the world looking for a nice life like most everyone else. Is it right for these people to have to change their beliefs just to fit in with everyone else??? Our side is not saying that everybody needs to wear them. We just ask that others around the world accept these peoples beliefs, and agree to disagree (peacefully). Not everyone needs to wear one.
Your side is not arguing that the world needs to accept the Burqa. If that is what we were arguing, I don't really think there would even be an argument. I agree with that. However, we are arguing on wether the Burqa is religious freedom, or Opression to women.It is completely unfair that women have to wear this veil. There are places in this world that haven't changed. There are places where women are little more than objects, because they have no features, or personality in this curtain around them. They cannot be themselves, and they cannot be free. Even nowadays, they are not considered even close to as good as men. In these countries they are forced to cover because they are oppressed.
Danny, I know that America is the land of the free, but what about the other people in other countrys? And I think that America is one of the most excepting countrys.... look at our president!
I thought that I said that but whatever. The world has so many problems with wars for exactly this reason. Noone can accept eachothers beliefs. I just dont think it is right for them to have to change their beliefs because others cant be flexible.
Yes I said the wrong thing... i think that since we can except others differences that other countrys may be influenced by us. They should give the muslims a chance to be able to choose if they want to wear it because it is unfair to make them wear it.. and it is still unfair to take away their religion.... But i think that if we can be accepting of others, different countrys can do that too!!!
I also think that now after the taliban the burqa symbolizes them. The burqa is now either a thing that you are not allowed to wear somewhere or forced to wear somewhere it does not sound good i think that it makes it sound worss if its banned somewhere but forced somewhere else
for woman to wear a burka is showing islamic faith and culture and it is very oppressive to woman that contrys are taking away there right because its not forced to wear it so its an religious to them
I believe that the burqa is traditional. The French have no right to ban the burqa because we all have equal rights which includes the rights to what clothing we dress ourselves with in the morning and the French really don't have an arguement because last year only 367 women out of 65,821,885 of France's whole population wore burqas which is certainly not enough people to make a law about.
Exactly. The French think they are giving the women their rights back, but they are really taking them away. They are taking away the right to practice whatever religion is whatever way and their right to wear what they choose.
I do see were you are coming from avery but i also think the french were trying to keep their traditinal ways and the burqas might bring bad things in their opinions to their country
Yeah! and i don't understand why the banned it in a country where you're not forced to wear it. They're banning their religious rights because if you wear a burqa in that country, you are choosing to.
I dont think that they should ban the burqa, but they should still be able to wear them at special times, but I also dont think they should wear them all the time because it might affend other women. It also takes away from but God gave you and people wont really know what you look like.
Nuns wear full body and head covering for religion, so why is nobody making them take it off? Why just require the muslim women not to cover themselves?
I agree, if nuns wear their coverings, why isn't anyone protesting about that? Because we agree with that religion? Muslim people have a right to wear what they want to feel closer to God, just like Christians do.
RIGHT EMILY! Nuns wear body coverings too. Muslim women shouldn't have to take off thier religion and to some, their pride, just becase soemone doesnt like it and thinks it's wrong.
thats not what we are talking about. we are not talking about the women being beaten or killed, we are talking about how people are not letting the women wear burqas
Not most these days. It is a part of their religion just like the nuns and yes nuns have more freedom with it for the most part and why is that? because nuns have not been abused like the muslim women. Most muslim choose to wear the burqa anyway because it is a part of them and their lives.
NOOOO! We are debating WORLDWIDE here. These people wearing the burqa are doing this completely by choice. So yes the nuns are wearing them by choice, but so are these muslim women.
yes but some women still feel like they have to wear them because they dont know what people will say when they dont want to wear it so they think its not there choice
I can't explain how much I agree. It looks very similar except for some reason wearing the Habit is not oppressive. So if the Habit is not oppressive- then shouldn't the burqa be fine too?
I don't think that anyone except France is saying that we need to require them to wear it or not wear it. Nuns also do not get beaten if they don't wear their clothing; Muslim women should not. IF they want to cover themselves they can. I just don't think it's right. I think they should not just have to quietly sit and endure this oppression. They are people, not just walking blobs of fabric.
well the problem with the burqua, is that lots of women don't like it and they want to take them off. one article said, "when the taliban left, the burqas went with."
Many women don't like to wear the Burqa yeah maybe some do but not a lot. Some women would like to take off their Burqa because it can be tough to walk and harder to see.
Because Nuns choose to be nuns they dont have to be nuns... and the nuns know that when they become a nun they have to wear that covering. Women do not choose to be women they cant choose their gender they are who they are and they should be able to embrace their femininity. How would you feel if you were walking down the street and no one knew who you were... it would feel terrible because you cant even show your sense of style. It is like a school uniform no one can show their true style if they are completly hidden by a burqa!
That does not really support the claim that the burqa is purely a thing of religion. It is part of a certain religion, not religions all over the world. Also you say it is taking away the freedom of the women to wear what they want. Well, do you think that most women want to live inside a hot black cloth? Some may like the anonimity it provides, but the women who cannot go outside without wearing it surely must not be thrilled to be unable to wear their own clothing. Men do not have to cover. It is purely a sign of old fashioned ideas. Such as women belonging to their husbands. Women cannot go outside without their husbands. Women are not allowed to wear clothing that they weant to. They "Cannot be looked at by other men" But in this robe, they also are not people. They are possesions.
THEY ARE ABSOLUTLY NOT POSSESSIONS! The burqa is not a symbol of belonging to their husbands. Many husbands have nothing to do with a women's choice to wear the burqa. The women also don't have to wear the burqa in front of their husband, family, brothers, father or other muslim women. They only wear it to protect themselves from rude, prying eyes and men who do not respect women and only wish to own them. Their husbands, on the other hand, must learn to love the women behind the clothing and not define her by her cloth. Many feel that wearing the garment is their duty to God as well.
The Taliban has done so many cruel things to women in particular, and I cant blame them for going to another country. Do you guys really think that they need to change their beliefs and religion just to fit in with everyone else?
But if they are going to a country where they dont want to be mistreated why would they bring part of the things that they were mistreated with, with them
No, actually they can't. That is what WE are arguing. Women out side of their country should be able to wear the burqa and not be prosecuted by fellow civilions, because the burqa means something to those who wear, no matter where they live.
You are saying that they can bring their beliefs with them, while at the same time you're arguing that wearing the burqa should be banned, therefore not allowing muslim women to keep their beliefs!!!
If they want to wear one they should be able to it just depends on their beliefs. It should be able to where what they want and have their own feelings and freedoms. If their home country makes them wear them they should have the right what they want to wear.
ithink it should be religous beliefs The peolple should beable to wear them but it shouldnt be a law that they can't because that is going to start a spark between the goverment and the people that want the burqua
It's oppresive to make women wear the burqa, but it's even more oppresive to force them to give it up even if they want to wear it. It doesn't take away from their individuality, like Chy said, because there are lots of different colors and types. Women like black because it is traditional. And like the lady in the video said, she likes to talk to people and she has a family and a husband and she is really happy in her life. She isn't forced to do anything she doesn't want to do, and she is choosing to wear the burqa.
i agree with you lena. maybe the burqa brings out the best in some people, maybe not. but overall, the burqa is just a kind of tradional piece of clothing
Their are not many different colors and types. There may be blue and green, but that is hardly individuality. Yes, there may be some that WANT to wear it as a sign of humility, but what is humble about something that does not allow other people to see the color of your eyes, the size of your smile. They can't see what kind of person you are. It takes away from your potential.
I know that pretty much all of the people in this classroom would not want to wear a burqa. I know I don't. But we don't have to, so we don't! It's our choice. They should have one too, whether it's wearing the burqa or not wearing the burqa.
Why dont men need something as well? If the reason they have to wear the burqa is to be modest, then have the men wear something too! Men can be inmodest! If that's the deal, have them put something "speacial" too and then they can all be outside and being modest together. That's teamwork, right?
Men also must follow rules. They must cover themselves in themselves in this religion too. They're rules just arent as strict because, as you know, usually people take advantage of women for their bodies more than men.
Yes but is still unfair to women. When you think about it, it is pretty much saying that women need to be covered because of their gender. They cant change who they are they were born that way and thats they way that they will stay.
I think its oppressive to women because they can't be their self. If they weren't like a uniform, then they could be what ever they wanted them to be. But all of the burqas are the same and women can't be their own person.
Most women CHOOSE to wear the burqa. Also burqas are not all the same. They come in different colors, lace, beads, and patterns. Most women choose to wear the black or dark blue burqa because it's traditional. And what you wear does not effect who you are on the inside, so women can be thier own person.
I agree! Most women today are loved for their bodies, wearing a burqa challenges that. It tests others to see the beauty within, not what they look like.
they are choosing to wear the burqas. they are choosing to NOT express themselves. saying they should not be allowed to wear what they chose to wear is almost like you choosing to wear jeans.
The Taliban is not in power so they can't force people to do anything. They have no power over apperance anymore. The women who wear the burqa choose to on their own free will.
No she doesn't, before the taliban came along the women could actually see what they were doing, who they were talking to, and they had more freedoms. Now, they don't have any freedoms.
Not true. They have the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and many others, but now they no longer have the freedom of the modesty that the burqa creates.
You have to get this in your head. THE TALIBAN DOES NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO WEAR BURQAS. The taliban is not the government anymore so if women wear the burqa, it's their choice.
wearing a burqa is oppressive to women because it doesnt give them indivisualism and doesnt give them a choice in what to do or what to wear, making it unfair to them.
But its not, they have to wear it 24/7, they get caught it's not going to be pretty.
Just think about it, if you were a women living in Afghanistan would you take the risk of being caught of not wearing your burqa? No! It is NOT a choice.
No, women everywhere do not have a choice. In The book the breadwinner, they are beaten if they don't have their burqa's. That is not exactly having a choice. They HAVE to wear it, wether or not they want to. That is not fair, or right. In america, everyone has choice as to what they want to do, or wear, or say. I think that those ideas should be carried on into other countries too. As people, those women should not have to cover up purely because the men in Afghanistan don't want them to be free.
The Breadwinner took place during the 1990s not in present day. In France, the government is not being taken over by the Taliban so they don't have any arguement there. Also, you just said it yourself, you said, "In America, everyone has choice as to what they want to do, or wear, or say. I think that those ideas should be carried on into other countries too. As people, those women should not have to cover up purely because men in Afghanistan don't want them to be free." You think that that should be carried over in other countries, well then tell that to France. Muslim women now don't have the choice there to do "what they want to do, or wear" as you said it. Now those women who want to feel truly closer to Allah with religious reasoning cannot do so in France.
Totally agree Hunter! Everyone has rights to their own bodies and lifestyles by order of law so basically by passing that law they are going against the law.
i agree. when someone would happen to see someone on the street, or in public, they would recognize them as anyone else, and sometimes, people probably wouldn't even see them
The Burqa is oppressive to women because women have a hare time getting around and functioning in them, andeven seeing through their veil which prevents them from working as well! Therefore they can be dangerouse because they can't see.
You can still see because there are whole for your eyes and it is by choice that these people can wear burqas.....people dont have to wear them, but people do because its part of there religion
in an article that i read it said that women were having trouble seeing well and moving around, which also prevented them from their working. and someone said, "when the taliban left, the burqa went with."
The Burqa is oppressive to women. Muslim women should NOT be required to wear the burqa. They only need to cover their body and hair, not their faces or hands. All that is required is a hijab or chador. The Burqa is pure opression to their freedom. It is like a prison cell. They can't be free of this thing. They can't just be themselves. If it is so important to cover in modesty, why do men not have to?
But Autumn, they aren't being forced to wear the burqa anymore. A lot of the women are actually choosing to wear them because they feel safe and close to God. We can't just take away their religious decisions.
I am not saying that their choice should be taken away. I think that what France did was completely wrong. They fought against the lack of freedom, by taking away even more freedom. If women feel safe in them, than it is just something they chose to wear. But in Afghanistan where many women are forced to wear them, that is oppression in it's purest form. They cannot do anything to fight for their freedom.
I agree. Women get beaten up or even killed if they do not wear a Burqa, but why dont men have to wear a certian piece of clothing or they will get hurt?
I would agree with some of that. They should only have to cover things that need to be covered like us Americans do, They dont need to over-do clothing but they should wear it if it is a religious thing. But they could wear it as church clothes.
I agree with some of that, but it is there body and they should beable to wear whatever they want, and if they want to wear a burqa because it makes them feel closer to there God then why cant they wear them?
Well, to answer your first point, Muslim women aren't required to wear the burqa, they have the religious freedom to wear it and we shouldn't be judging them for it. They are probably bashed daily for their outfits, if they want to stick through the harsh comments and wear it with freedom, they can.
Of course they can if they want to. I'm just saying that I don't think that it is a good thing for them to wear. Yes, if they want to they are welcome to wear whatever they want. I am not saying that the Burqas should be banned. What France did was completely wrong. I'm just saying that forcing a woman to cover so that she becomes less than a person is wrong. I am almost sure that it would not be in the will of God for the women to be forced to hide inside this prison.
I think the burqa is oppresive to women because women should not have to wear the burqa, it takes away their sence of individulism, and by wearing the burqa they are losing their femine side, by covering their whole body. Women mostly wear it because they only feel safer in Afganistan because if they do not wear it they will probably be beaten.
but your taking about afganistan but what about some were like usa were its safe and they chose it to were it for religion because the koran says girls most were some thing modest to the male
Yah but if it is so important for girls to wear it why dont men have to it is unfair to make just women wear it and have the men just wear traditional stuff. If people are going to make the women wear the burqa should men have to wear something similair, because the men should have to be modest to the female!
Actually, Burqas come in all different colors, patterns, fabrics, and other decorations. Most women do choose the black or dark blue because it's more traditional.
If burqas have differnt types why cant they personalize them to a whole new level like the ice cream suit or the banana suit... as long as it goes with the original idea of it covering their face and whole body why cant they personalize them.
The burqu is oppressive because some women dont like showing there body which make men wonder how there look.but women that dont show there hole body make men go crazy what i am saying here is that they should keep the burqa because the women are use to it.
I think it is oppressive to women becaus they shouldnt have to wear burqas if they dont want to. They should be able to express themselves through their clothes and not be forced to wear black cloths all the time. And men dont have to wear them, so why should they.?
I think this removes a womans personal identity because they can't wear what they want to wear and they can't express themselves. They also don't get a choice or freedom at all they get beaten for not wearing it and sometimes even by their own husbands. I think this is wrong and woman shouldn't be treated like peices of property they should have equal rights.
The burqa, for many muslim women, is part of their identity. It doesn't take anything away from them when they choose to wear it. It is their choice to wear it in most cases, so isn't that their choice? Most women these days who do wear a burqa are choosing to do so, and you are actually taking away their rights by not letting them wear what they want.
Thats not fair to people who dont want to wear the burqa. And the women who choose to wear them, have a choice to, or not to wear them. And you say that people would be taking away their rights to not wear the burqa, while people are taking away the writes of the women who dont want to wear them.
I do not think women should have too wear Burqas. I believe that when women wear Burqas it takes away from who they are as a person. Walking can be such an easy task, but when wearing a Burqa it is tough. Burqas also make it harder to see.
But they have to wear a burqa. They dont have a choice. And its not fair to them, expesialy when they cant even do they basic needs because of that walking jail cell.
Not every woman should have to wear a burqa. If a woman is faithful to God and feels like it is her duty of faith, she should be able to wear a burqa. If a woman doesn't feel like it's her duty to wear a burqa, she shouldn't be forced to wear one and they shoulld just keep the burqa because they are use to it but they are able to go somewhere so they should just keep it on.
men do have to wear something to its a turben almost like a burka and its religous to him to so woman arnt geting all the bad stuff and arnt the only one having to deal with it men do to and if women want to wear a burka they should people have rights to wear it
Maybe they do have to wear a Turben but it is not as big and they still can easily do everyday things, but wearing a Burqa is a lot harder to do everyday things.
i think the burqa is oppressive to women because some women dodnt want to wear burqas and they dont feel as respected as men when they wear them it also hides who they are. if women dont have to wear them why do men
A turben is not even close to a burqa. It is only covering their head and its not taking away from what they want to wear. A burqa covers a womans whole body, and they cant wear anything else besides a burqa.
I toatlly disagree the turban is much more reaviling, with the burqa you cant even tell who the person is at least with the turban they will be able to tell their identity!!
woman need their own individualism as well it's not fair that people can just come in and take others rights away people are just boring if their all the same no offense to them, but we all need to be individual and let people be who they are cause if just see a cloud of woman with black draped on them they all look the same and woman need a right to be independant if they want to ...
everyone says that the world has changed, that woman and men are equal then why do woman have to wear burqas? The burqa is like a reminder that some parts of the world have not changed there ways and treat women like they are not as good as men.
I don't think that it is fair to say that most women want to wear the burqa. Sure, some may, but it is blind to assume that all do. Not all women can want to become a nonentity. And even if you took an anonymous survey, a women being threatened will not answer truthfully. If the men in her life are threatening her, she is not very likely to tell the truth. There is no way to give an accurate count. You can have no Idea who is telling the truth or not. The woman in the video could have been threatened by her husband to make that statement. I am not saying that it is certain she was, but you don't know that she was entirely truthful.
I think burqa is oppressive to women because it takes away from womens rights to be different. They all have to wear burqas and cant have their face be seen.
I think burqa is oppressive to women because it takes away from womens rights to be different. They all have to wear burqas and cant have their face be seen.
