YOU’RE BACKING BORIS

Hundreds have written to us, with eloquence and passion. The vast majority are for, a handful against, as this sample represents

FOR BORIS

‘AS A British Muslim and director of studies in Islamic law in a number of UK universities, I salute the courage of Boris Johnson in broaching the topic of the burka.

He couldn’t have possibly offended Muslims for there is nothing Islamophobic in ridiculing burkas. His directness has exposed the fact that Muslim extremists in the UK appear to hold the upper hand, pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes on this.

It’s equally alarming to hear some British politicians validating the narrative of extremist Islamism by misguidedly describing burkas as traditional Islamic dress. This shows a lack of understanding of Islam as well as offensive stereotyping of Muslim women.

Instead of paying lip service to extremist Islamism in the UK and entrenching its worldview, our politicians need to look for the wider national interest of the UK, which is firmly rooted in a stable Muslim community free from extremism and nurtured on the values of UK patriotism, moderation and open engagement without physical or psychological barriers.’ Dr LU’AYY AL-RIMAWI, Peterborough, Cambs.

‘BORIS said what 90 per cent of this country think. The only thing I disagree with him on is that the burka should be banned, like other sensible countries have done.’ DAVID STEVENS, Leeds.

‘BORIS Johnson is absolutely right about the burka. This is a Christian country and there should be no place for it in Britain.’ A. MAXWELL-IRVING, Stirling.

‘I DON’T think Boris Johnson should apologise regarding his remark about the burka. He is quite within his rights to speak out. Not enough people speak out about how they really feel about the burka and he is only saying what many people would like to say. We are all aware of political correctness, but it is going too far. Merry Christmas is now to be referred to as Season’s Greetings. Where will it all end?’ GERALDINE McNEALEY, via email.

‘THOUGH I detest Boris Johnson, I have to back him on his burka stand. It may be part of the culture to wear this garment in other countries, but it is not appropriate to do so in the UK. How can courts operate where identity is paramount to justice?

Surely it makes a farce of the importance of CCTV. And is it not hypocritical if children are denied entrance to shops because they wear hoodies?’ MICHAEL J. DRAKE, Downpatrick, Co. Down.

‘I SUGGEST that many thousands who find the burka intimidating would agree with Boris Johnson for every one of those who complained about his comments.

The Mail article by Ruth Dudley Edwards was excellent and pointed out that there is no requirement in the Koran for women to cover their faces or hair and that it is an Arab cultural practice that is out of place in the West.’ CLARK CROSS, Linlithgow, West Lothian.

‘BORIS had the guts to say what most British people think, but are afraid to speak out in case they cause an upset.’ KENNETH PETER, Nursling, Hants.

‘DOMINIC Grieve and Anna Soubry, complaining about Boris Johnson’s verdict on the burka, threaten to leave the Conservative Party should he become leader. Please go now.’ ROBERT KNOX, bishopbriggs, Dunbartonshire.

‘DENMARK has looked at the burka on a wider scale and succeeded in making it a nonracial issue. It has banned any item that covers the face preventing identification. This includes the burka, but also balaclavas, full-face crash helmets or those with tinted face screens and face masks. It is not wrong to insist that all people show their face.’ KEITH MARTIN, New Milton, Hants.

‘I SEE it’s racist to criticise the burka but perfectly acceptable to mock the dress sense of two Christian princesses who sport ‘ridiculous designer wedding hats and pointy shoes’. And I doubt very much if Boris was the first to express the views he did. His ‘crime’ was to give succour to the Lefties who will equate his comments with the accusations of being anti-Semitic.’ JIM ADAMSON, Cupar, Fife.

‘WHY is Boris Johnson subject to a witch-hunt for saying what many people think? Those making this into an issue have cherry-picked comments from his article.’ BRYN FITTON, address supplied.

‘WHAT a pity people haven’t bothered to read the full article by Boris Johnson in which he questioned Denmark’s decision to ban the wearing of the burka in public and defended the right of women to wear it if they so wished. His critics have taken his remarks out of context and are quick to jump onto the PC bandwagon.’ CHRIS HOPKINSON, Cornwall.

‘AS A free-thinking UK citizen, I believe that Boris Johnson is correct in his description of women who wear the burka. Wearing the burka has nothing to do with their religion.’ Tesh shirron, Aberdeen.

‘THOSE making a fuss over Boris’s burka remarks are simply virtue-signallers having a contest to see who can appear the most offended.’ STEVE MITCHELL, London se8.

‘WHY is it all right for Naz Shah to retweet that victims of Asian grooming in Rotherham should ‘shut up for the sake of diversity’ but jump on Boris Johnson for saying burka-wearing women look like post boxes?’ TINA WILSON, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

‘RATHER than attack Boris Johnson for criticising the wearing of the burka, other politicians should stop their craven surrender of our culture.’ GEORGE Dobbie, blairgowrie, Perthshire.

‘DON’T apologise, Boris, you speak for lots of us.’ Mrs D. ROBERTS, Leigh-on-sea, essex.

‘THE controversy over Boris Johnson’s comments exemplifies the divide between the public and the liberal elite. It is similar to the division on Brexit. The more it seems Boris is being persecuted, the more popular he will become.’ J. LONG, Cheltenham, Glos.

‘I DESPAIR of political correctness. Is it now unacceptable to state the truth and have a bit of humour? Boris Johnson is only stating the obvious

with his remarks about the burka. I thoroughly agree with him. Taking this a step further, I feel it is inappropriate to have one’s face covered in a public place. I accept different religions, but this is unacceptable to the way of life in Britain. We should follow the leadership of Denmark and other countries and ban the burka.’ MIKE BULL, beauly, inverness-shire.

‘BORIS Johnson is neither anti-Muslim nor racist. The baying mob should examine the facts before demanding an apology. Moderate Muslims have stated on many occasions that it is not written in the Koran that women must wear the burka. This furore is being whipped up by those who fear Boris’s popularity and charisma, which they believe the grassroots will endorse at the next leadership election.’ MARIAN CORRIGAN, Maidstone, Kent.

‘WHAT right has anyone to demand an apology from someone for holding an opinion they disagree with? Are we so politically correct that only one opinion on any given issue is deemed acceptable? Challenging opinions generates debate; demanding an apology for voicing the wrong opinion is disturbingly Orwellian.’ name and address supplied.

BUT NOT ALL ARE CONVINCED...

‘MR JOHNSON’S article highlighted numerous shortcomings in his understanding and ability to politely articulate his limited insight. As an Ahmadi Muslim who chooses to wear a head covering, I agree with the assertion that a niqabwearing lady may be asked to remove her facial covering in certain settings, such as for security purposes. However, to bring together this sensible point with the ‘letter box’ comment was offensive.’ HUMA AHMAD, Manchester.