Name: Jasmin Stefanussen

Class: English 2010

Portfolio 2, Larger Essay

Every culture has a different definition of what modest-dress entails. In the

muslim faith especially there are different takes on how a woman should dress.
Muslim scholars argue that both male and female of the faith should maintain
modestly dressed, however the way muslim women dress has caused some
controversy. In the Koran, Muhammad instructs women to completely cover
themselves in the name of modesty, but there are different interpretations of that.
Some muslim women simply wear a headscarf, while others cover themselves
with a burqa (a loose piece of clothing that covers the entire body from head to
foot, including the face and a veil covering the eyes). 1
Although the overall percentage of muslim women who wear a burka is
fairly small, and is mostly associated with women in Afghanistan, it has caused a
lot of controversy in several countries. A debate whether or not it should be illegal
to wear a burqa began. In 2004 France became the first European country to
pass a law that made it illegal to wear religious clothing in public schools. Since

Website Banning of the Burqa, 2

then, many European governments have had a debate whether or not to ban the
burka.2
There are various arguments in favor of banning the burqa. Many who
oppose it, do so because they see it as an oppressive item of clothing. They see
it as a symbol that women still have not reached equality. Although many muslim
women are allowed to chose whether wear the burqa, it has become an
increasing occurrence that they are not given a free choice. In countries where
the Taliban is recognized, women are often forced to wear the burqa. If they
refuse, they are subjected to public beatings, jailing, and threats of death by their
own families. Although some muslims argue that the burqa is meant to help
women avert unwanted attention, anti-burqa advocates counter that covering a
womans face wont save a woman from being harassed, raped, or beaten. 3

Another argument in favor of banning the burqa, is that of public safety.

Many say that public safety requires people to show their faces when they are in
public places. Someone with a hidden face has the opportunity to commit crimes
without being recognized. Another argument that closely relates is that of
common courtesy. The argument is made that it is difficult to communicate with
someone who has their entire face covered, and it would be courteous so
2

Website Band the burqa? 2, 3, 30

Website, To ban or not to ban, 2

Website, Ban the burqa?

remove the veil. They also suggest that many muslim women are socially
isolated, and hindered from fully integrating into the country they live in. 5
Many people who advocate against the ban of the burqa recognize those
arguments, but they feel it shows an incomplete picture. While it is true that some
women are forced to wear their burqa, many chose to wear it out of respect for
their husbands, or to worship and respect their religion. They argue that women
wearing tank tops and mini skirts are showing no respect for their bodies,
displaying themselves for all to see. 6 7
While the people in favor of burqas recognize that public safety is a valid
concern, they point out a certain hypocrisy in that argument. Burqas are not the
only thing that can cover a face. Hoodies, hats, and baseball caps are all things
that can be used to hide ones face. During sporting events, many fans paint their
faces and wear wigs to show their support for a team, but in the process, they
change their appearance and make themselves unrecognizable. In cold weather
people often wear hats and scarves, covering all but their eyes and nose. Yet you
dont hear people demanding a ban on hats and scarves. In fact, it is only the
muslim veil they want to ban. 8

Website, Veiled Threats?, 9, 10, 11

Website, The banning of the burqa, 9

Website, To ban or not to ban 6

Veiled Threats, 11

Women argue that it is their religious right to wear the veil. Is is a symbol of
their religion. They say is is because of an increasing fear for the Islamic faith
that governments are crying out to ban the burqa. They demand the same
freedom of religious practice as the government allows for people of other
religions. Many burqa-ban opposers say that while the burqa could be seen as a
symbol of the oppression of women, it is not the cause of said oppression. There
are other things that could be done to help. While it is true that the burqa may
inhibit normal social interaction, it is difficult to use this as an argument against
the burqa. Statistically, most women living in western European countries chose
not to wear the burqa but they still have a difficult time integrating into the culture.
9

Website Against the burqa ban May 2004, March 23 2015

Website The banning of the burqa, date unknown, March 23 2015
Website Veiled threats, Martha Nussbaum, July 11 2010, March 23 2015
Website Ban the burqa?, Phyllis Chesler middle east quarterly, Fall 2010, March 23 2015
Website to ban or not to ban, Timothy Rows, August 31 2010, March 23, 2015

Website, against the burqa ban