Canadian Muslim group calls for burka ban

          

A Canadian Muslim group wants the federal government to ban two kinds of garments, the burka and the niqab, worn by some women.

The Muslim Canadian Congress said the garments, which cover the face, have no basis in Islam.

The group’s spokesperson, Farzana Hassan, said the practice of wearing the burka and niqab is more rooted in Middle Eastern culture than in religious teachings. She added that there is nothing in the Qur’an that stipulates women must cover their faces.

She said the issue is one of public safety. “To cover your face is to conceal your identity,” she said.

The burka is a veil that generally covers the entire body, with only a mesh screen left to see through. The niqab covers virtually all of the face — with a slit generally left open for the eyes.

The proposed ban would not extend to the hijab, the head scarf that leaves the face uncovered.

– Source / Full Story: Muslim group calls for burka ban, CBC News (Canada), Oct. 8, 2009 — Summarized by Religion News Blog

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)
, , , http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/10/08/canada-muslim-burka-niqb-ban-government.html

Religion News Blog posted this on Friday October 9, 2009.
Last updated if a date shows here:

   

More About This Subject

Topics: , , ,

AFFILIATE LINKS

Our website includes affiliate links, which means we get a small commission -- at no additional cost to you -- for each qualifying purpose. For instance, as an Amazon Associate, Religion News Blog earns from qualifying purchases. That is one reason why we can provide this research service free of charge.

Speaking of which: One way in which you can support us — at no additional cost to you — is by shopping at Amazon.com.