Epigraph:
And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty save to their husbands, or to their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands or their sons or the sons of their husbands or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their women, or what their right hands possess, or such of male attendants as have no sexual appetite, or young children who have no knowledge of the hidden parts of women. And they strike not their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known. And turn ye to Allah all together, O believers, that you may succeed. (Al Quran 24:32)
Australia is divided into 6 states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania and 2 territories; the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
The Guardian: by Michael Safi —
The Queensland government has rejected a push by independents and minor parties to force Muslim women to remove their burqas or veils to prove their identity.
The bill, introduced by the independent MP for Nicklin, Peter Wellington, would have allowed lawyers, police, prison officers, justices of the peace and other “persons of responsibility” to require a person to remove any face covering to establish their identity.
Wellington said the measure was especially necessary in light of the upcoming G20 meeting in Brisbane. “It is not about religion; it is about doing the right thing, about making sure there is security in Queensland,” he said.
He said the bill has “nothing to do with Islam” and cited a 2011 statement from the Australian National Imams’ council permitting Muslim women to prove their identity by removing their veils if ordered to do so by authorities.
The private member’s bill was supported by the independent Gladstone MP, Liz Cunningham, as well as members of the Palmer United party and Katter’sAustralia party.
“This bill is about security in Queensland,” KAP’s leader in Queensland, Ray Hopper, said. “When your face is covered up and you have a big overhanging coat or dress on, you do not know whether you are male or female. All you can see are the eyes of someone, and that is a very dangerous situation that the people of Queensland may be facing.”
The state attorney-general, Jarryd Bleijie, declined to support the bill, saying he believed in “a free and democratic society”.
“This government believes in a multicultural Queensland. This government respects the rights of its citizens and individuals to practise the religion that they so choose,” he said.
Labor also voted against the bill.
Similar legislation was passed in New South Wales in 2011 after a Sydney woman, Carnita Matthews, used the fact that her identity was obscured by the religious garment to dodge a six-month jail sentence for deliberately making a false statement.
Matthews told police that an officer tried to tear off her burqa when she was pulled over in traffic, a claim that patrol car footage proved was untrue. She successfully argued that because her face was completely covered when she made the false statement there was no way to prove it was her.
Wellington took to Facebook on Thursday to voice his displeasure, saying it “beggars belief” that Bleijie labelled the law as racist, as he was the “architect of VLAD [Queensland’s anti-bikie legislation], the most racist laws ever adopted in this state.
Additional Reading
Gender Equality in the Holy Qur’an – In the Beginning Man and Woman Were Equal
Categories: Australia, Europe and Australia, Hijab, Islam, Women In islam
TO MODERATORS; I implore you please do not delete and censor my writing; let us promote the freedom of speech as Ahmadiyah are struggling till now.
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I agree 100 percent for security of citizen, who knows those who is behind burqa..maybe a bad people—-scare people who is passing women who wear burqa, niqab,or veil–
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If government forbid woman to wear burqa,niqab or veil, woman have to obey the authority willingly–you will not fall into sins if you do not wear burqa. You will fall into sin,if you refuse the law of authority.
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With all my love
alatif, but you do not act on your own advice? The Muslim Times Editors have advised you several times, not to put repetitious and long comments and you keep doing the same, over and over again, to suit your own agenda.
Just like you want Governments to be obeyed willy nilly, even when acting out of prejudice and racism, you could see the wisdom of the Muslim Times’ Editorial Board recommendations for smooth and effective running of our international blog.
Peace!
Dear Zia Shah.—-Love for all, hatred for none–
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Based on Al Quran.
Why did Allah sent the same message(verse) repeatedly in Al Quran?
1. in order people do not forget,just to remind people with different time and condition —
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Why do I write long comments?
1. in order the readers can understand completely
2. I see others write a long comments too.
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Please do not hate my writing, and treat all people fairly. May Allah bless and guide us the truth of Islam.Thanks
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With love
I sometimes wonder why after the population of muslims reaches a significant figure IN A FOREIGN LAND does trouble and demands like “wearing the burkha” “Halal meat”, “leave for namaz on Fridays” etc., etc.,. This is happening in many countries where muslims have migrated, making those governments become wary.
There was nothing before but of late in Australia demands such as these have been increasing. Women covering their faces ARE A SECURITY THREAT in today’s vitiated atmosphere ever since 9/11.
1) Burqa is not prescribed by Islam. Islam only requires a dress code from both men and women. The difference between the two is only head cover. Face is not included in this dress code. Burqa is a cultural remnant from the old times.
2) So it is hard for me to understand why any Muslim who knows about Islamic teachings will stand against such efforts.
3) Islam permits flexibility in necessity. If security is an issue and lives of people are at risk, it is permitted to adjust pardah to achieve security. This is a principal of Shariah.
4) So let us practice real Islam. Let us not oppose common sense rules and “co operate in what is good and not co operate in what is wrong”.
OK, we will stand together, when and if secular authorities go against Hijab.