That burkini!

I just don't understand why we want people to conform to what we consider is acceptable to us , I don't care what women wear, don't care if they dye their grey hair etc , don't care that some men chose to wear women's clothes , if not breaking the law then fine

Our culture has moved rather quickly from a norm where some degree of modesty was required to a situation where more or less anything goes (other than nakedness)
Just over 100 years ago ankles were considered indecent, while massive amounts of cleavage were not. I remember in the late 50s a bikini was considered quite daring.
Current trends are driven by the fashion and porn industries.
But that's considered fine because it is the current norm, whereas more modest fashions are not.
My only concern about a requirement to cover up a lot is that is may be bad for fitness and for health. In extreme it may prevent healthy exercise. It will also cause vitamin D deficiency.
Other than that it is just fashion, and no more morally reprehensible than walking along the road wearing semi transparent leggings, no knickers and a skimpy low cut top.

I don't agree that the burkini is 'just fashion'. Can't see any women other than those who feel it's a requirement of their culture wearing them (other than publicity-seekers such as Nigella!).

Anniebach. I suggest you read up on what the Muslim men did, and are still doing that warents women having to change their choice of clothing, where they go at night etc. And now Germany are bringing in women only carriages on trains.
If only it had been whistles and bottom grabbing on New Year's Eve in Cologne.
This is not only in Germany it's happening in Sweden as well.
Or have you joined the rest of the left wing feminist victim blaming brigade.

Petra, it was school uniform that was spoken of not what women wore on New Years Eve . Have school children been assaulted ?

Yes school children have been assaulted. More than one young boy has been raped in a swimming pool. Rapes are now happening in the migrants hostels to such an extent that the Germans are having to segregate these buildings.

Would you put a link on please Petra, I haven't read all you claim has happened , most strange that the majority of immigrants are Muslim and homosexuality is a an act they abhor

Anniebach. Sorry, I haven't got round to doing links. Just google ' New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Cologne'
It will lead you to information that you will find shocking and upsetting.

Petra, I read of the assaults and alleged assaults on New Years Eve, nothing about school children being assaulted thus forcing their change if school uniform or boys being raped in swimming pools.

I do know claims are being made by the far right and believed by anti Muslim , and anti immigrant groups .

Do we have a Muslim on Gransnet ?, I would like to understand more about the reason for the Burka and its derivatives.

It would take a brave woman to declare herself a Muslim here pompa

I think pompa as with any other group of people you may find different opinions, perspectives and ideas.

Also there are very may websites which will give you that range of info. if you want to study it.

I do hope that any Muslim would not have anything to fear from us, that would be awful.

I think that as there have been some anti-islamic sentiments expressed on threads I guess if you were in a tiny monority you may not want to put yourself out there. On the other hand you might want to shout loud that you were just a normal person!

Anniebach. Why would a Muslim woman be afraid to post on here? I don't know if you've noticed but there are a lot of women on this site who support Muslim women, me included. And not just by voicing my support but through my bank account.
I really wish that Muslim women would post. Then perhaps we could help more women get out of some of the awful situations they are in.
But, having written that, you probably don't think that 'awful situations' go on.

Petra, if a Muslim woman was thinking of posting here your last post would stop her

annie I agree with you.

petra I found your post quite patronising, tbh.

There are Muslim women living under oppression in the family, there are Muslim women living in happy families ,

Dear God, what next ? An advert / to all Muslim women in the UK, joint GN and we will try to save you from a life of misery .

No, but I for one, would like to hear their opinions.

pompa, I agree hear opinions, assuming they are all living a life of servitude but we may be able to save them? No

Since this discussion started I have been trying to find out more about Islam. I have to say it has been most enlightening. I knew nothing and still know very little but Islam as a doctrine for life does make a lot of sense, as do most religions. Like so many religions we hear more about the fanatics than the rank and file.

Those are the women least likely to be surfing the net looking for interesting sites to visit!

(to ab)

I am very confused about some of the posts, and possibly somewhat upset. Surly Muslim women (and men) are no different from anyone else and mostly live full and enjoyable lives, the only difference is that they follow Islam. I know that Muslim women surf the net looking for interesting site, the one sitting next to me yesterday was dancing across the screen of her phone like any other young person.
I'm also sure that some are oppressed as are men and women in every walk of life, but that is a small minority.
To think that a Muslim, or anyone would feel uncomfortable on this site is truly horrid.

Pompa, I agree wholeheartedly with your post. I was just making the point that any Muslim women (or indeed any women at all) who are constricted in their lifestyle for cultural reasons would not be likely to post on here. Although I may have been confused by the wording of ab's post.