Hypocrisy Fuels Burqa Fears  

 

By Dino Cesta - 23 September 2014

THE NEWCASTLE HERALD - Letter To The Editor 

 

 

HERE we go again! Under the guise of the recent escalated terrorist threats on Australian soil, the  ‘‘Ban the Burqa’’ fanatics are again out in force. 

 

The ‘‘shroud of oppression’’ expressed by federal Liberal politician Cory Bernardi in an inflammatory Twitter rant, and Palmer United Senator Jacqui Lambie, pictured above, describing the burqa as a ‘‘national security’’ risk, are fuelled by fear and ignorance, a lack of understanding, and disrespect of other cultures and customs. 

 

We should worry less about what people are wearing and more about our hypocrisy.   ‘‘Western’’ religions are also masters of oppression and suppression of women. It is not ‘‘Eastern’’ religion specifically.   Isn’t the subservience and inequality of women in particular religions, including the Catholic Church not permitting the admission of women to priesthood, antiquated and oppressive?  And what of the abhorrent child sexual abuse claims against the Church. 

 

Rather than condemn, we should be more tolerant and accepting of other cultures, and in this case, make a greater effort to better understand the person behind the burqa.

 

Dino Cesta, Hamilton