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Tuesday March 16, 2010

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The Burkha

Posted by: Michael Smith | 2 July, 2009 - 2:25 PM
burka

Things have moved on a bit since January when I said that covering your face in places like banks or shops was offensive.   I was speaking about the Burkha.

My comments cause death threats to me and immense pain to my family.

Several people, egged on by A Current Affair complained to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.    A Current Affair’s website listed the story about my comments with the heading “Racist Radio Host”.

Well I think the debate has moved on a fair bit.   My comments resulted in front page newspaper stories and editorials here in Australia.   The issue is now front page news in both France and now the United Kingdom.   View front page here.

And the debate is now centred not on security – it’s about the broader question of whether the Burkha has any place at all in a civilised, western democracy.

It’s a big issue because of the amount of immigrants from Arab countries who want to come and enjoy our western way of life.   More and more women are appearing on our streets shrouded in the garb.   .

I was quite impressed by the thoughtful and forthright views of the ABC’s Canberra newsreader Virginia Haussegger in her blog of this Tuesday, 30 June 2009.     - View profile here.

She wrote “A ghostly figure walking towards me, clad from head to toe in a heavy black niqab, black gloves and dark shoes. She was trailing along behind her husband and four little children.

The sight of this hideously shrouded figure in an Australian shopping mall is confronting and offensive. And it makes me angry, very angry.

I wanted to stop and ask why she had such disrespect for herself and our culture that she would hide her face and body under all that black cloth, designed to render her shapeless and inhuman. But her husband shot me a glance, and I was silenced. Dumbfounded. “   View the post here

I wonder if Virginia, a leading feminist and recipient of the United Nations Association Media Prize will receive the same complaints that I did.

This is an important debate.   I want to see Australia join with France and Britain and proudly proclaim our western, civilised values that – amongst other things – proudly respect and celebrate women.   The Burkha has no place here.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Tracy, I agree with others about your overuse of CAPITALS on this blog, it is just too hard to read, so I just skip over it and read the next comment. If books used all capitals, they would take far longer to read because all the words look the same. Please continue to comment, as with all the others, your views are important and help us to see the whole picture.

    I hope this is my last comment on the burqa.

    Whatever you think, just remember that the woman behind the mask has strong beliefs about her treatment and respect of others. You may perhaps find no kinder, more respectful, disciplined and educated women in our society. If you can not treat her like your mother, your sister or your daughter and you direct disgust and outrage at her, then you have a problem. If you want a better understanding and a solution to your problem, I suggest you speak to the leaders of Islam in your State. You should find that they are normal people, just like us.
    Do not form your views by the acts of criminals.

    Albert Saturday 11 July, 2009 - 11:27 AM

  • Tracy, too loud.

    John Forrest Saturday 11 July, 2009 - 7:38 AM

  • DEAR SMITHY I AM SURPRISED THE CARTOONIST
    HAVE NOT PUT ANNA'S HEAD ON A LIAR BIRD'S BODY
    CHEERS
    TRACY

    TRACY Friday 10 July, 2009 - 4:47 PM

  • Some housekeeping rules for those who post their comments entirely in capitals.Please don't as this is the equivalent of shouting when having verbal discourse and no one is interested in listening when you shout.

    John Forrest Friday 10 July, 2009 - 4:03 PM

  • Hi Jason, Now that we have reached a reasonable level of agreement on this subject I propose we close the discussion and wait for Mr Smith to raise some other matter.

    John Forrest Friday 10 July, 2009 - 3:57 PM

  • John I do agree with you that it was dumb. I think Turnbull made a real mistake by jumping the gun. I am disapointed in both leaders. I think Rudd is a nasty piece of work and his past in QLD proves that. I like Julia as she doesn't seem to be driven by spin, as long as she doesn't go to far to the left.

    Jason Friday 10 July, 2009 - 12:36 PM

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