While I don't agree with covering women up - I don't agree with a country banning a cultural practice that is not destructive to the population at large. I have read the Quran Torah, and Bible - there are a lot of inconsistencies with all three books. Nowhere in the Quran does it explicitly call for the complete covering of a woman. It does ask for modesty in dress - but so does the Bible. The Orthodox Jews dress in black from head to toe and are much more obvious in their submission to men than the Muslims in Los Angeles. I would not want to ban the Orthodox Jews from wearing something that I don't agree with. It is not my right to tell them what they can and cannot do if it is not harming me. I can see if for some security reason you are asked to remove a veil, or a turban. Though I can't imagine why they'd need to do that with the advent of x-ray and other physically non-invasive search techniques.
Something to keep in mind is that when you ban something you make it relevant. For example, you ban alcohol and drinking becomes more of a problem. (see US History for that one) When you make something a big deal when it isn't - you give the extremists more ammunition with which to attack your way of life. You give them something to fight about. It is alarming that people are willing to relinquish the rights of others. You let the government take the rights of others, soon your rights will be taken. Look at the US, after September 11th, there was hardly a whisper about the Patriot act infringing upon our right to privacy - the government was given sweeping powers over the people. Just keep that in mind. You allow something as seemingly innocuous as the attire of a person you don't agree with be regulated, soon it will be your attire that is deemed offensive, or dangerous to the public.
Something to keep in mind is that when you ban something you make it relevant. For example, you ban alcohol and drinking becomes more of a problem. (see US History for that one) When you make something a big deal when it isn't - you give the extremists more ammunition with which to attack your way of life. You give them something to fight about. It is alarming that people are willing to relinquish the rights of others. You let the government take the rights of others, soon your rights will be taken. Look at the US, after September 11th, there was hardly a whisper about the Patriot act infringing upon our right to privacy - the government was given sweeping powers over the people. Just keep that in mind. You allow something as seemingly innocuous as the attire of a person you don't agree with be regulated, soon it will be your attire that is deemed offensive, or dangerous to the public.
Extremism and terrorism doesn't know a dress code. As a former soldier I can tell you with utmost certainty that it doesn't matter what a perceived enemy is wearing. If someone's intent is to harm you, they can do it with clothes on or off.
When you say "what is to keep a similar even from happening here? are you referring to the banning of particular type of clothing? Or are you referring to terrorist attacks?
If you are talking about a particular type of clothing being banned, I am afraid to inform you that the American Constitution and the freedom loving people of this country would not tolerate it. This country was founded on the principles of equality. Yes, we have had our ups and downs. But through the efforts of Americans during the Civil Rights movement, as well as through the efforts of politicians who helped pass anti-discrimination laws - the rights of individuals has prevailed.
If you are talking about attacks occurring on American soil, that can happen at anytime by any person. It doesn't have to be a "brown woman" wearing a veil. Just look at what happened during 9-11. They were men dressed in accordance with American ideals. The best way to fight terrorism is to find its root. As I mentioned earlier, if we (American Military and our commanders) choose to kill civilians and support Karzai and other warlords in Afghanistan - we will only continue to divide the support of the people. In order to prevent any further attacks on American soil we need to earn the trust of the people in who's countries we are present.
In Pakistan there is a new Taliban emerging that is hell bent on destroying Western countries control of their regions. It will only further infuriate them if they see us banning their cultural symbols abroad. They can use that to further their cause. They can gain new support in the villages in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and others within that region of the World by saying "look how the West treats us abroad. They ban symbols of our culture. They bomb your villages full of innocent civilians. Take up arms against them."
As far as not having x-rays at malls etc. That is true. However, if you have lived in America you know that people most likely to commit atrocities on a large scale on American soil - are: Americans.
I think that there needs to be an understanding and respect for all cultures. We need to educate ourselves and our children so as not to continue this endless crusade against those who don't ascribe to our beliefs.
When you say "what is to keep a similar even from happening here? are you referring to the banning of particular type of clothing? Or are you referring to terrorist attacks?
If you are talking about a particular type of clothing being banned, I am afraid to inform you that the American Constitution and the freedom loving people of this country would not tolerate it. This country was founded on the principles of equality. Yes, we have had our ups and downs. But through the efforts of Americans during the Civil Rights movement, as well as through the efforts of politicians who helped pass anti-discrimination laws - the rights of individuals has prevailed.
If you are talking about attacks occurring on American soil, that can happen at anytime by any person. It doesn't have to be a "brown woman" wearing a veil. Just look at what happened during 9-11. They were men dressed in accordance with American ideals. The best way to fight terrorism is to find its root. As I mentioned earlier, if we (American Military and our commanders) choose to kill civilians and support Karzai and other warlords in Afghanistan - we will only continue to divide the support of the people. In order to prevent any further attacks on American soil we need to earn the trust of the people in who's countries we are present.
In Pakistan there is a new Taliban emerging that is hell bent on destroying Western countries control of their regions. It will only further infuriate them if they see us banning their cultural symbols abroad. They can use that to further their cause. They can gain new support in the villages in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and others within that region of the World by saying "look how the West treats us abroad. They ban symbols of our culture. They bomb your villages full of innocent civilians. Take up arms against them."
As far as not having x-rays at malls etc. That is true. However, if you have lived in America you know that people most likely to commit atrocities on a large scale on American soil - are: Americans.
I think that there needs to be an understanding and respect for all cultures. We need to educate ourselves and our children so as not to continue this endless crusade against those who don't ascribe to our beliefs.
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Hey Melissa, Well written article. However, Quran don't have any inconsistencies. Being a Muslim we believe, Quran is the book from GOD same way originally Torah and Bible was, except last two are not in its original format anymore. Last 14 hundred years Quran remained in its original format without any changes as promised by the GOD and it will remain same until the Day of Judgement. Whatever we don't understand in Quran, we ask scholar of Quran for explanation. Anyway, your article is excellent and to the point. I hope more people have understanding of other cultures the way you have. Thanks for your well written article.
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