Italian city fines Muslim woman for wearing burqa

[Peikko 1,575]

Man wearing burka carries out jewellery shop raid

A robber wore a burka as a disguise to carry out a raid on a jewellery shop, police said today.

The cross-dressing criminal used the black head-to-toe garment, favoured by some Muslim women, along with a hijab or face veil, showing only his eyes, to hide his identity.

Owners of the jewellers in Bury, Greater Manchester thought the six foot tall robber was a woman and allowed him entry.

But as soon as he was buzzed in three men barged in behind him - one brandishing a shotgun.

They raided the shop stealing a large amount of bangles, rings and lockets, before escaping in a waiting car, thought to be a silver Toyota Yaris.

Police are now hunting five men, all Asian, thought to be involved in the raid, which took place at about 4.15pm yesterday at Capri Jewellers on Benson Street in Bury.

The offender dressed as a woman is described as Asian, over 6ft tall and of thin build.

The getaway driver is described as Asian, in his early 20s, of chubby build. He was bald and wearing glasses.

The other three offenders are described as Asian and were wearing balaclavas.

The gang left behind two holdalls that were branded Wei Bao.

Det Sgt Chris Jameson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The store has very tight security so the ruse used to gain entry shows a level of detailed planning and I want to hear from anyone who may have overheard the gang preparing for this robbery.

"I would also urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of the getaway car or who may have been approached with a view to buying the stolen items to call police.

"All information will be treated in strict confidence."

In western Europe wearing of the burka or face-coverings in public has stirred controversy with some countries considering or imposing a ban on the dress.

Muslims say the burka is a part of their religious culture and such state interference is evidence of prejudice against their faith.

Link

Edited May 6, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[The_Dude 1,142]

Man wearing burka carries out jewellery shop raid

A robber wore a burka as a disguise to carry out a raid on a jewellery shop, police said today.

The cross-dressing criminal used the black head-to-toe garment, favoured by some Muslim women, along with a hijab or face veil, showing only his eyes, to hide his identity.

Owners of the jewellers in Bury, Greater Manchester thought the six foot tall robber was a woman and allowed him entry.

But as soon as he was buzzed in three men barged in behind him - one brandishing a shotgun.

They raided the shop stealing a large amount of bangles, rings and lockets, before escaping in a waiting car, thought to be a silver Toyota Yaris.

Police are now hunting five men, all Asian, thought to be involved in the raid, which took place at about 4.15pm yesterday at Capri Jewellers on Benson Street in Bury.

The offender dressed as a woman is described as Asian, over 6ft tall and of thin build.

The getaway driver is described as Asian, in his early 20s, of chubby build. He was bald and wearing glasses.

The other three offenders are described as Asian and were wearing balaclavas.

The gang left behind two holdalls that were branded Wei Bao.

Det Sgt Chris Jameson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The store has very tight security so the ruse used to gain entry shows a level of detailed planning and I want to hear from anyone who may have overheard the gang preparing for this robbery.

"I would also urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of the getaway car or who may have been approached with a view to buying the stolen items to call police.

"All information will be treated in strict confidence."

In western Europe wearing of the burka or face-coverings in public has stirred controversy with some countries considering or imposing a ban on the dress.

Muslims say the burka is a part of their religious culture and such state interference is evidence of prejudice against their faith.

Link

You knew it had to happen at some point. Now conservatives have their concrete rationale behind the "public safety" point.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

I thought this very idea was what this thread was all about... the woman in question did not obey the law of the land. I think this is what is meant by an 'intention to assimilate' ...

When in Rome do as the Romans.

Or as another put it: Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s...

I am not quite sure how you assess the 'intention to assimilate' - or what that consists of exactly. As long as they obey any and all laws, surely that's all you can require? We have people on this very message board who bring spouses into the US from around the world and their cultural identity is presumably integral to that attraction, not something that each spouse wants to instantly dispose of once they step on US soil.

I don't like the implications of having modesty symbolized by a garment of clothing, I don't like that women in some cultures seem to be put in the position of being solely responsible for sexual propriety, but I don't think making a law requiring them to make alternative arrangements for an outward show of modesty is going to solve the problem - would that it would to be honest.

[Peikko 1,575]

I thought this very idea was what this thread was all about... the woman in question did not obey the law of the land. I think this is what is meant by an 'intention to assimilate' ...

When in Rome do as the Romans.

Or as another put it: Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's...

Did I ague anywhere that she should not have obeyed the law?

My only argument has been, are laws of this nature really the best way to combat problems of this type? I don't think they are for the reasons I have elaborated on.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

'Best' ways are always subjective not objective.

The only functional way is to apply the laws as written and make changes as you go.

Did I ague anywhere that she should not have obeyed the law?

My only argument has been, are laws of this nature really the best way to combat problems of this type? I don't think they are for the reasons I have elaborated on.

[Peikko 1,575]

'Best' ways are always subjective not objective.

The only functional way is to apply the laws as written and make changes as you go.

We have precedence that mandating behaviour doesn't change behaviour already. Behaviour that is based on belief is the least likely to change. Laws that appear to discriminate against a religious group, less likely still.

As I said, would that laws like this did change behaviours and better yet underlying beliefs, especially ones that place an unwarranted burden on the maintenance of sexual propriety on women.