UK: Burka a ‘full bin-liner thing’

UK: Burka a ‘full bin-liner thing’

Via Daily Mail:


The outspoken atheist Professor Richard Dawkins has re-ignited the furore over the burka, describing it as a ‘full bin-liner thing’.


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Professor Dawkins made the comments in an interview with Radio Times discussing his forthcoming documentary about the dangers of faith schools.


Last night he stood by his remarks and told the Daily Mail: ‘I do feel visceral revulsion at the burka because for me it is a symbol of the oppression of women.’


But he admitted he was reluctant to advocate banning any item of clothing.



He said: ‘As a liberal I would hesitate to propose a blanket ban on any style of dress because of the implications for individual liberty and freedom of choice.’




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Seyyed Ferjani, of the Muslim Association of Britain, said of Professor Dawkins’ comments: ‘I think it is ignorant and Islamaphobic.



‘This kind of thing has been on the rise for some time. Britain is a diverse and free society.



‘It is a woman’s choice if she wishes to wear a burka, a niqab or not. Why does it matter to this man what a woman is wearing?



‘We should be encouraging respect and understanding for each other.’


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