Battle to ban Burka handed boost as 12,000 Express.co.uk readers urge Cameron to act

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/651454/UKIP-ban-burka-12000-Express-readers-david-cameron

THE battle to ban the Burka in Britain was handed a huge boost today after a whopping 97 per cent of Express.co.uk readers urged the Government to take action.

By Nick Gutteridge

PUBLISHED: 03:38, Fri, Mar 11, 2016 | UPDATED: 08:17, Fri, Mar 11, 2016

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UKIP's Paul Nuttall urged David Cameron to use International Women's Day to ban the burka

The overwhelming majority of more than 12,000 respondents to a survey on this website agreed with the statement that the full face veil is "oppressive and at odds with British culture" after a top politician called for it to be outlawed.

Earlier this week UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall urged David Cameron to use International Women's Day to make a bold move for gender equality and bring in a ban.

Of the 10,524 people who voted in the online poll today an astonishing 97 per cent supported that position, whilst just 3 per cent said no action is necessary because they believe people should be "free to dress as they please". 

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Protesters to ban the burka in the past stated that the garment is 'oppressive'

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The Burka has long been a controversial issue in British politics, with critics saying it represents chauvinism and the subjugation of women.

The burqa isn't religious it's cultural

Haseeb Ahmed

But defenders of the full body-length dress, which includes a veil obscuring the entire face, argue that women are choosing to wear it in accordance with their beliefs.

Many Muslim scholars have pointed out that the Burka is not a religious requirement in Islam, but is rather a cultural practice which emerged in some Middle Eastern countries.

Calling for it to be outlawed today North West of England MEP Mr Nuttall accepted that some women may wear the Burka by choice, but argued many others are forced to. 

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A whopping 97 percent of Express readers believe the burka should be banned

He said the garment is an "intolerable" symbol of gender inequality, adding that it is in the best interests of women across Britain to see it banned.

Writing for Express.co.uk he said: “We need to protect the genuine choice of those that feel pressure to wear a face veil, we need to protect our children from the possibility of thinking such a gender inequality is tolerable, and I hope those that want to wear a veil will understand why a ban is vital.

“It is to protect the rights of their fellow women who may not be as lucky as they are and don’t have a genuine choice. Surely that’s a sacrifice most compassionate people would be prepared to make.”
Some prominent voices amongst the British Muslim community have also called for an end to the Burka including campaigner Haseeb Ahmed, who has launched a fight for more understanding between communities to combat homegrown extremism.

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