Burkini ban: A new form of oppression?
T he problem is that this rule is crazy (‘French police order woman on Nice beach to remove top’, Gulf News, August 25). Once again, women are being told they are not allowed to wear what they want – in this case it’s a burkini. We are a free nation and the burkini is not like a niqab, where you can’t even see the face. Some people are wearing it for practical reasons, like protection from the sun or to feel more comfortable. It’s wrong to fight the problems by punishing women! This is a rule made by men for men, to oppress women. This time it’s Muslim women in the West. We should be free to wear what we want. From Ms April Lee UAE Facebook comment
Respect all religions
D o other non-Islamic religions say that it’s a sin to be covered? If not, then if a non-Muslim covers up, then it won’t be breaching the beliefs of the public. But it’s considered a sin for Muslims to keep certain parts uncovered. That’s the difference. The thing is that we are required to respect everyone’s religion. From Ms Fatima Harun UAE Facebook comment
Don’t have to cover
A ctually, you don’t have to cover up in many Islamic countries as long as you aren’t wearing a super short dress/ trousers. People show skin in a lot of Muslim countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and even Pakistan. From Mr Qurey S. Moro, Pakistan Facebook comment
Let her be
T his is bullying by the French police. Why didn’t anybody stand with this woman being asked to undress? She was clearly just trying to enjoy the beach within her own cultural and religious rules. From Ms Anouk KahanovKloppert UAE Facebook comment
Taking away freedoms
T hat is against this woman’s rights. They should be the ones who are banned from entering Islamic countries, since they are violating our religion. May
God help all Muslim brothers and sisters who are struggling with the threats and violations. From Mr Amir A. Dubai Facebook comment
Where’s the respect?
H ow about other non-Muslims wearing headscarves? This is too judgmental. It’s interesting to see the Gulf countries being more tolerant than these Western countries. Some nationalities really don’t try to respect either the laws or cultural norms here. From Mr Monti Ronquillo Dubai Facebook comment
We cover up
T he thing is that when us Westerners go to Muslim countries, we have to abide by the rules of the country and cover up, so what is the difference? From Ms Andrea Watson UAE Facebook comment
Follow the law
E ach country has its own rules. When in Saudi, non-Muslims are asked to wear the hijab and abaya. Most people don’t object and respect the rule. The same goes for us Muslims.
Don’t go to France or to the beaches if you don’t want to follow the law. Each to his own. Live and let live.
Let France do what they want, we are no one to judge. Only God will be the best to judge. From Ms Sana Ishtiaq Manana, Bahrain Facebook comment
Humiliating
T his is a absolutely shocking, unacceptable and humiliating. I think beachgoers, especially women, must have the freedom to wear what they like and not be forced and fined for wearing an extra piece of clothing. The officers could have warned the woman instead of ordering her to remove her shirt on the spot. This is unprofessional of the police officials as this clearly accounts to a breach of privacy. It is surprising that the poor woman obliged to the orders and took off the top immediately. From Ms Fatima Suhail Sharjah Facebook comment
Sun protection
I think she wasn’t Muslim, but who knows, I might be wrong. The thing that what she was wearing wasn’t even a burkini. Maybe now they should ban all people who wear long sleeves. Wearing a scarf on the beach doesn’t mean you’re Muslim. Lots of people are just trying to protect their heads from a sun stroke. From Ms Aleksandra DĄbrowska Dubai Facebook comment
Philippines is getting better
S oon the whole world will come to know how biased and corrupt our media in the Philippines really is (‘Beyond war on drugs, Philippines’ Duterte seen setting up economic boom’, Gulf News, August 24). God bless our president. He is our only hope right now to build a drug-free and corruption-free country. That’s why there is so much criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte, because it’s better for all the bad people in the country if he is out of a job, they can continue their illegal activities. It’s rooted in almost 30 years of a flourishing black market of drugs abuse like a cancer everywhere. Our streets are getting safe and eventually good things will come! From Ms Lobina Balase Loida UAE Facebook comment
Find a way!
T he excess food should be frozen and shipped to poorer nations (‘Food worth $4b going to UAE landfill’, Gulf News, August 24). I hear a lot of nonsense about the liability and that it must be dumped. But we’re talking about good food. Find a way! From Mr Randall Mohammad Dubai Facebook comment
Give it away here
M r Randall Mohammad, suggest something practical. There are enough people in Dubai who could consume it instantly and they deserve the food, too. The idea of shipping is easy to say, but look what’s around. I respect your interest to get it to them, anyway. From Ms Bismilla Khan Dubai Facebook comment
Infrastructure problems
F amine isn’t just caused by a lack of food. It is most often caused by the inability to get food to those who need it. The largest cause of famine is war, followed by the lack of infrastructure, then corruption. Freezing food and shipping it to other countries just isn’t the answer. It will just rot in the docks. From Mr Michael Abbott UAE Facebook comment
Health concerns
I worked for a hospitality company, and I tried very hard to get them to donate excess food, but their fear was if someone got sick, their brand would be blamed. Also, packaging material costs money. If the authorities provided standard packaging material, then places will be more willing to donate excess food. From Mr Sanober Bhojani UAE Facebook comment
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