Australian state toughens law for Muslim veils

Its always nice to have some minority to kick around to take your mind off your own flaws. For politicians, its a double win because not only does it take minds of their faults, it gives them the chance to look like they are doing something about this imaginary problem.

All reasons cooked up for this are contrived.

One woman falsely accuses a cop of trying to look under the niqab? So you oppress all veil wearers? What will Austrailia do if a cop is falsely accused of trying to put his hand down a low cut blouse? Ban the baring of cleavage?

I cannot even figure out how it was decided the woman was lying about the cop. They have video footage of the whole incident?

And of course we have the question of if motorcycle helments, SARS masks, halloween masks, ski masks, false beards, make-up etc. etc are still okay? You know, its so fun to hit Muslim women because they don't hit back!

Or how about if everyone goes about with some sort of face covering? If muslims don't like the laws of the land, there's the option of returning to their home of origin. When in Rome, do as the Romans! If that's not acceptable, don't go to Rome.

Confirming identity should be a no-brainer. Have a female officer check in a private space. Problem solved and no transgression against religion.

If religious people wish to participate in a modern civilization, they must be prepared to make some minor compromises just like everyone else does.

Muslim women in Australia’s most populous state will have to remove veils to have their signatures officially witnessed under the latest laws giving New South Wales officials authority to look under religious face coverings.

This amounts to "toughening" laws these days?

“If a person is wearing a face covering, an authorized witness should politely and respectfully ask them to show their face,” Smith said.

Forget being polite and respectful, just tell them to remove it. It is not a requirement of Islam to wear such a covering.

This is no different than asking someone to remove their sunglasses or hat to confirm identity. Happens to me at customs all the time.

@aquaman

When in Rome, do as the Romans! If that's not acceptable, don't go to Rome

Actually Rome was a cosmopolitan city with a never-ending flow of people from the provinces. No doubt the locals whined and complained then as they do now.

@tkoind2

Confirming identity should be a no-brainer. Have a female officer check in a private space. Problem solved and no transgression against religion.

If religious people wish to participate in a modern civilization, they must be prepared to make some minor compromises just like everyone else does.

Was reading this and thinking how sensible it was... until I got to the word "modern". If you're under the impression that the "Western" civilisation is "modern", I'd have to disagree with you. We are more affluent, we control more of the world than the less fortunate. The only "modern" thing is our technology. Besides that we are not very advanced. In fact we have traded our heritage for gadgets, this could be seen as a sign of gross stupidity.

Australia has a right to make its own laws. Stay out of it world!

ReformedBasher. Modern meand contemporary. Not a judgment. The Modern world vs. the past world. clear?

hot_dog_dynasty

I cannot even figure out how it was decided the woman was lying about the cop. They have video footage of the whole incident?

Exactly and that is why they know that she was lying because she was caught on camera.

And of course we have the question of if motorcycle helments, SARS masks, halloween masks, ski masks, false beards, make-up etc. etc are still okay? You know, its so fun to hit Muslim women because they don't hit back!

You obviously dont know much about Australia do you? You question motorcycle helmets and other items that hide your identity. Try walking into a bank, or even a service station with a motorcycle helmet or mask on your head. I guarantee you will be explaining to the cops why you did it. The point is why should the bulk of the community have to prove their identity while a minority doesnt. I can tell you from personal experience if l am pulled over by the police when on my motorbike l have to completely remove my helmet so they can identify me yet a muslim woman doesnt have to. You know what would happen if l refused to remove my helmet? I would be detained and forced to remove it. One law for all not a separate law for some. And if they find it offensive then please feel free to return to where you came from simple as that

“If a person is wearing a face covering, an authorized witness should politely and respectfully ask them to show their face,” Smith said.

seems pretty reasonable to me.

I cannot see any kind of transgression in such a law. After all, administration and law enforcement has the right to verify the identity of its subjects.

Australia is a soft target for Muslim terrorists, just look at what they did over in Bali, what the terrorist did to many innocent Aussies there in Indonesia, so we only need a few nut cases to run around hiding their faces in Australia etc..and KABOOM! I personally do not want to die with some idiot fool that thinks that blowing him or herself up will send them directly to martyr heaven.

I deserved every thumbs down I got. I must have been half asleep this morning, because I did not understand the article correctly. My apologies for bothering you all with my crogginess.

There is of course a time and a place where a positive identification needs to be made, and having your signature officially witnessed is one of them. However, it would be nice to have new systems installed so that they don't have to do it.

The veils may not be an absolute tenet of Islam, but individuals worship differently in every religion. For some Muslims, veils are part of the way they worship, and that does need to be respected as much as possible. At this time though, all systems necessary are not in place.

"a veil that reveals only the eyes"

Look, that's fine at costume parties or pro wrestling matches, otherwise, take it off when you're out in public, sheesh, unless of course you're in some place like Iran or Saudi Arabia where you actually HAVE to wear it, lol.

Out of curiosity, what does the photo on their passport look like? Does it show their face completely or just the eyes?

Personally, face coverings in public irritate me. Especially, if I have to talk to someone wearing one for some reason. "Who are you? Oh, I don't know because I can't see your face." Of course here in Japan, I'm talking about all these dang face masks people wear to prevent colds. There should be a law against them as well.

@tkoind2

ReformedBasher. Modern meand contemporary. Not a judgment. The Modern world vs. the past world. clear?

No. Because

If religious people wish to participate in a modern civilization

infers that "religious people" are not "modern" which is defined by your opinion, not some misunderstanding in definition. Pull the other leg.

And as far as these "religious people" are concerned, what they do or don't do is taking place in the present. Last time I checked, they have equal rights to the world, the same as everybody else.

Back to their garb and wearing it in Australia, some common sense and cooperation is far better than just banning it like you say.

My suggestion that face masks be illegal was tongue-in-cheek, but it seems they would be in some of the countries that have prohibited Islamic veils and other face coverings, so I felt it was a valid comparison.

If we were to prohibit all the irrational behavior in the world, religious or otherwise, there would be very few people left around.

@StrangerinaStrangeLand

My suggestion that face masks be illegal was tongue-in-cheek

If it was a joke, I thought it was funny. And I see your point in comparing it. When I said you've been spotted, I was faced with the dilemna of scoring you (8/10) but a good troll hates to be scored in theory as they don't like to be spotted right? No harm in a little trolling as far as teasing goes, it's the really nasty ones who are go way too far.

Anyway, I don't think people are automatically irrational because their are different. I'm in favour of people finding consensus in reconciling differences rather than having us all be exactly the same. Don't of approve of people from anywhere assuming they somehow have more rights than others either.