Today I panicked and felt bad afterwards - a person veiled from head to toe
By Lindalinda
@Lindalinda (4111)
Canada
August 27, 2010 6:35pm CST
I feel quite embarrassed right now. This week three young men were arrested in Canada allegedly they are home grown terrorists. Dozens of electronic devices that can be used to detonate bombs were found in their houses.
Today I went to one of the dollar stores that I frequent. It is a very large store and carries lots of stuff. Fabrics, small pieces of furniture such as ottomans, shelves and plant stands but there is also a huge selection of all kinds of electronics.
When I came in the usual person a Muslim lady wearing a headscarf was behind the counter. We smiled at each other and I went to pick out the articles that I wanted.
When I came back there was a person completely enveloped in a burka with only eyes showing behind the counter next to the usual cashier. I froze in my tracks and did not approach. The usual cashier caught my eye and I motioned her over.
I said I am scared, what is this person doing here? Do you know that some people were just arrested for terrorism.
She said there is no problem here, this is another human being. I said yes, I know it is another human being, but I want to see that person's face. The cashier said: well, where I come from women do not show their face in public. I said, I see your face, you see mine, who is the person behind the counter. She said: This is my daughter. I said you live in Canada, why is your daughter wrapped up from head to toe? She said to the person: Come over here and show this lady your face. The wrapped up person did not budge but crouched down in the back of the counter.
I just paid and left. I guess I was too bold. I wonder how the wrapped up daugher feels. I wonder if she agrees. I wonder if she suffers.
2 people like this
4 responses
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Aug 10
she does not agree with you, she wears her garb out of custom and belief. The mother choices not too that shows they are a liberal family and women in that family dress the way their heart dictates.
if a white woman held up the government and was called a terrorist does that make you and me one?
It is the same for muslims, you cannot hold them all responsible for what some of them do.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
28 Aug 10
I do not hold all Muslims responsible for terrorism. As you know there were arrests this week in Ottawa and large numbers of electronics that are used to make bombs were found. When I saw the wrapped up figure behind the counter,where tons of electronics are displayed I panicked. I had been to this store many times before, I know they are Muslims which has not bothered me at all but in light of what had happened in Ottawa I was not sure if something was going down such as a robbery.
As far as choosing your garb out of custom and belief it is my understanding that it is only a tiny minority that wrap themselves up, mostly because they are forced by the men in their families, they do it under duress. I would like a chance to speak to one of those girls.
I have Muslim friends who pray 5 times a day, who listen to the Koran by Ipod who attend Friday prayers and eat halal (like kosher) foods. They tell me that burkas and niquaps (veils that cover the whole face) are not required by Islam. If I went to some of the Islamic countries and dressed like I do in Canada I would be flogged and thrown in jail.
It is a distinct disadvantage having to speak to a person when you cannot see their face. It puts them at an advantage, therefore making the relationship unequal. The mother, the cashier that I usually see there has a very kind and friendly face, she wears a hijab (headscarf) which does not bother me, however I will not deal with people who put me at a disadvantage. I live in Canada and we do not hide our faces.
I think Quebec is on the right track with "reasonable accomodation" that does not include painting the windows of gyms black because girls excercise there, that does not allow veiled women to be served in Government offices and that veiled women cannot go veiled into a bank.
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
30 Aug 10
I am sorry I do not agree with you. If I went to some of those countries I would be flogged and put into jail if I did not conform to their dress code. This woman, the mother who is the usual cashier has a very kind face and I have seen her before. She does not veil herself, because she knows she would not have many customers. I have been to this store many times before an dealt with eifferent people there but never with a person whose face I cannot see. That puts me at a disadvantage. Cowards and terrorists hide their faces. i LIVE IN cANADA. If I deal with you or any other person I expect to see their face. I live in ther West.
If people do not like our customs they should not come here.Furthermore we should have laws like in Quebee.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Aug 10
I know many muslims, and have many university talks with muslim women and university cultural awareness seminars,
and these women who came to talk to us say that the women who wear this garb do it because they want to. This is how this sect of muslim practice the shariah law. Some of these women would rather die than expose their face as is the case going before the human rights commission in Quebec now. The lady is very offended that she cannot were the garb of her native country and her practice her religion and beliefs.
Who will win that case, who knows.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 10
Hi Linda, terrorism is now threat for the whole world. I read in the newspapers that to wear veil had been banned in Canada. In many European countries to wear veil or cover the face of women is prohibited. Under the borka or veil a man also can hide. So to wear veil must be prohibited as a precautionary measure to check terrorism.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
28 Aug 10
Actually in Canada wearing a veil is not prohibited by law. There are certain situations where people will not get service if they don't show their faces such as banks and Government offices. Also when they travel at the airport they must show their face at the security check.
I know that in France all Islamic headcoverings have been prohibited. It does not bother me when people wear a hijab but it upsets me when I cannot see a person's face. You are right men have hidden under burkas and committed crimes. So we should not allow it in public. If Muslim women want to hold on to this custom they should not live in countries where women are free to wear what they want.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
2 Sep 10
I think the burka is an anti social garment. Fine if you wear it back in your country of origin but if you have migrated to a country where they are not worn....don't wear it. I think it's really non-conformist to wear a burka and I believe the women who wear them in my are merely attracting attention to themselves.
Some people are fearful, due to acts of terrorism...I guess because the burka equates with Islam and Islam equates with terrorism, a bit silly really but true for some people. Some are quite concerned because they see that the wearer has something to hide...you could hide a bazooka under there. Yet others think it's unnecessary and unwanted in our society. Personally, I think the women who dress this way should make more of an effort to fit into the new society where they have chosen to make their home.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
28 Aug 10
It was just because this week there were arrests here and large quantities of electronics that can be used to make bombs were seized. So when I saw the wrapped up person whom I had never seen in that store before standing behind the counter where all the electronics were displayed I started to shake with fear. I did not know what was going on.
