the FRIGGING VEIL

Everyone needs to calm down about the veil, niquab, hijab, burqua, whatever one you are panicking about.

Canadians saying it is unappropriate: how does the veil take away from your well-being?

Read this trash

it is some of the saddest nonsense i've ever read, and Im really thinking i gotta get off of this continent. The most intelligent post was by a man and he said this:

The veil is by no means a sign of isolation from society. At least, that is not what is intended. It is actually used as a means to help stop other guys from looking at women with distracting desires. This helps to keep the focus on your religion and not on other things. I found the article in the star today to be terribly insulting.
Faiz Uddin, Toronto

of course, he was one of the few non-WASP last names on the list weighing in.

here, on the other hand, is an example of a moron:

The bigger problem is the increasing number of people who chose to interpret the Koran in ways which take away women's rights to any sort of autonomy, including the right not to veil. This scares me.
Linda Taberner, Bowmanville, Ont.

first of all, Linda Taberner the way you think scares me. But more importantly, does you have any idea that there are social conventions imposed upon you here? that arent even justified through religion, but something much more arbitrary: social norms? Have you ever thought of why you sees nuns in nun-dress, with veil-like garments on their heads? I mean 70 years ago it was taboo to what, show your ankles? You really expect a whole other culture to be on the same social timeline as ours? You think everyone elses ways of being should synchronize to us here?

This next one's too bad:

The veil is a tool to practice modesty, like a pencil is a tool for writing. If I stabbed someone in the neck with a pencil I would be charged with assault, but we wouldn't write articles about the destructive nature of pencils.
Mohammed Faridy, Brampton

Okay I get the idea that all things can become a weapon, and I appreciate you saying it is about modesty. But as well-intentioned and interesting this argument is to me, I'm afraid that people like Linda up there would think this means muslim men shouldn't have pens or pencils because they think violent thoughts.

Here's a brilliant response and I'm glad he said it:

When the western society exploits women to the extent that they are forced to make themselves attractive to all men alike, this is not considered oppression, instead this is respect. Yet, when a woman veils herself out of shame keeps herself away from men so that she can give all her love and respect to the man she is married to, this is oppression. Most women who wear the veil do so out of their own concern for their dignity.
Shakir Pandor, Toronto

There it is, what a great comparison. How can women here pretend for a second liberation came with revealing all too much and have the audacity to say that veiling is oppressive and muslim women are deceived. Just think about that for a second- those decieved are the ones respecting their bodies- who taught you that logic? Not your mom and dad. Not your gran or gramps. Your friendly neighbourhood fashion mag.

Thank you Shakir Pandor of Toronto. Now lets turn to some more idiotic WASP responses:

Multiculturalism is a failure and we are now beginning to reap the fruits of this ill-thought out and idealistic policy. Being Canadian has to mean something other than constantly being asked to give up our culture in order to accommodate others. I've had enough.
Aaron Barrett, Brampton

The reality is that Canada is demographically ill. We have less than 1.7 children per family, which is a formula for extinction. Muslims have more than 3 children per family and they are members of an excellent religious system with powerful commitment mechanisms, the uniform being one of them. While our feminists are getting hot and bothered over the veil, which is a commitment mechanism, Muslim feminists are staying cool. They know that time is on their side.
Steve Walker, Kincardine, Ont.

I'm not really sure exactly what these two are afraid of. Clearly the first is tired of giving up his culture to accomodate others; but given the fact that nuns wear veils, and not every beach is a nudie beach, what are you giving up? Nothing. You are gaining knowledge of other cultures, you are being dare I say, Blessed with the chance to meet wonderful people from a life and history nothing like your own, whom you might be able to learn from.

The second guy talks about birth rates- its as if he's decided that the end of the world is near and they have more people. Anyway thats all i feel like discerning on his argument, it doesnt lead anywhere.

Anyways, That's all I'll say for now.

Thanks for stopping by.