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uly 10, Online

Muslim women would have to remove veils and show their faces to police on request or risk a prison sentence under proposed new laws in Australia’s most populous state that have drawn criticism as culturally insensitive.

A vigorous debate that the proposal has triggered reflects the cultural clashes being ignited by the growing influx of Muslim immigrants and the unease that visible symbols of Islam are causing in predominantly white Christian Australia since 1973 when the government relaxed its immigration policy.

Under the law proposed by the government of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, a woman who defies police by refusing to remove her face veil could be sentenced to a year in prison and fined A$5,500 (US$5,900).

The bill — to be voted on by the state parliament in August — has been condemned by civil libertarians and many Muslims as an overreaction to a traffic offense case involving a Muslim woman driver in a niqab, or a veil that reveals only the eyes.

The government says the law would require motorists and criminal suspects to remove any head coverings so that police can identify them.

Critics say the bill smacks of anti-Muslim bias given how few women in Australia wear burqas. In a population of 23 million, only about 400,000 Australians are Muslim. Community advocates estimate that fewer than 2,000 women wear face veils, and it is likely that even a smaller percentage drives.

Your comments:

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When you live in Australia, you must abide and comply with Australian laws — simple as that.

Wombat
Jakarta

Well-done Australia. There is no real injunction in Islam on the veil of Muslim women.

The Koran just mentions covering up some upper parts of the body — not the face! The veil was only valid for the wives of the (Prophet) Muhammad. His wives were called “pious women” in the Koran.

Ahmad G. Ikram
Germany

Hijab is fine and even attractive, if it is made and worn nicely. Most Australians have no objection to hijab. However, niqab or burqa, which covers the whole body and head but the two eyes, is a public safety issue.

Beside this, what is described in the Koran (Surah An-Nur 24:31) is about hijab, not burqa or niqab.

This surah doesn’t mention specifically to cover the whole body from head to toe, except a small opening for the eyes.

Thus, burqa and niqab are Arab customs, just like the suits worn by men in the West; it has nothing to do with Christianity.

Sadly, many people are mixed up or confused, Arab = Islam, West = Christianity, and they start using
religions to vent their frustration.

RD
Sydney

When I came to Indonesia, I had to adapt to the local culture. Thus I refrain from kissing my wife in public, etc.

If a Muslim wishes to live in a Western country, they have the choice of either adapting to the country’s norms or not going to live there. Simple as that. Nobody wants a foreigner to impose their culture on the existing one.

Sheldon
Probolinggo, East Java

I am in favor of religions. Generally, people who believe in God are better people. But on the grounds of security, I think the banning of the veil is good.

The veil is a uniform used by traveling Bedouins because of sand storms — I don’t see any sand storm, camels or deserts in Sydney.

Also this is the 21st century. There is a need to be transparent. My first impression of a veiled person is “fear”. I fear them as they may be suicide bombers.

So on security grounds — the veil should be banned!

Chan
London

When people “defend” your right to wear a burqa there is more effort put into slamming someone for being so narrow-minded about limiting people’s choices than it is about promoting the burqa.

Gordie
Melbourne

If Tony Abbot had said he found the Indian sari or the Chinese cheongsam or the German lederhosen confronting, wouldn’t we all be saying how stupid he was?

Regardless of what the dress is, it is his desire to control what people do or don’t wear. That’s the issue here — not that the burqa or any other form of clothing should be promoted.

Nick
Sydney