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Should burkas be banned in the UK? Should burkas be banned in the UK?
Burkas should be banned in the UK Burkas should be banned in the UK
Burkas should be banned in certain contexts Burkas should be banned in certain contexts
Burkas should not be banned in the UK Burkas should not be banned in the UK
Burkas should be banned because new(er) cultures should adapt to existing customs Burkas should be banned because new(er) cultures should adapt to existing customs
Burkas should be banned because safety concerns should be prioritised Burkas should be banned because safety concerns should be prioritised
Burkas should be banned because Islam does not require a burka Burkas should be banned because Islam does not require a burka
Burkas should be banned because wearing the burka normalises the oppression of women Burkas should be banned because wearing the burka normalises the oppression of women
Ski masks and helmets are also banned in some locations Ski masks and helmets are also banned in some locations
Burkas should be banned in some places because the government is secular Burkas should be banned in some places because the government is secular
Burka bans are a hinderance to integration Burka bans are a hinderance to integration
Personal liberty should be prioritised over banning burkas Personal liberty should be prioritised over banning burkas
We should not create an anti-Muslim environment by banning burkas We should not create an anti-Muslim environment by banning burkas
Banning the burka would prevent cultural dialogue Banning the burka would prevent cultural dialogue
Banning the burka would be discriminatory Banning the burka would be discriminatory
A burka ban is excessive relative to its object A burka ban is excessive relative to its object
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Should burkas be banned in the UK?
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Burkas should not be banned in the UK

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We should not create an anti-Muslim environment by banning burkas

Burka bans have a direct correlation with anti-Muslim violence.
Zineb Open Society Justice Initiative Valerie Letourneau
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Context

There is a strong correlation between the introduction of burka bans and an increase in publicly held anti-Islamic beliefs.[1] Members of the public who harbour anti-Muslim sentiment inevitably feel emboldened by the ban and anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence begin to creep into public life.

The Argument

It is no coincidence that both France and Canada saw an increase in hate crimes against Muslim women once their burka bans had been introduced. In one study that interviewed 35 French Muslims that wore the burka prior to the ban, all 35 reported that the ban had had "significant negative effects" on their lives. 26 of the 35 also reported physical abuse and violence, with assailants pushing them, pulling off their veil, or spitting on them. [2] A similar pattern was recorded in Quebec. Dozens of assaults against Muslim women are reported at women's centres meetings across Quebec every time they convene.[3] A burka ban fosters an anti-Muslim environment and legitimises the abuse and harassment of Muslim women. It must, therefore, be avoided at all costs.

Counter arguments

A burka ban doesn't create an anti-Islamic environment. Public opinion brings about legislation, not the other way around. Our elected officials act according to public opinion. They do not set public opinion. Without the support for a burka ban in the first place, it would not become legislation. In Britain, there is already public support for a burka ban. In a national poll, 57% of Brits said they would back a burka ban. [4]

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Burka bans lead to an increase in hate crimes against Muslims. [P2] Therefore, a burka ban helps foster an anti-Islamic environment. [P3] Therefore, it should not be enacted.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Legislation does not create the environment, the environment creates the legislation.

References

  1. http://sociologie.revues.org/2108
  2. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/after-the-ban-experience-full-face-veil-france-20140210.pdf
  3. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/08/denmark-burqa-veil-ban/566630/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRwHXt8BmyQ
This page was last edited on Monday, 5 Oct 2020 at 07:32 UTC

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