‘Burka like a paper bag on head’ remark lands Brit MP in trouble
March 24th, 2010 - 6:00 pm ICT by ANILondon, Mar.24 (ANI): A Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) has invited trouble by abusing the ‘burka’, as a probe has been ordered against him for inciting racial hatred.
During a parliamentary debate last month, Philip Hollobone had urged the House of Commons to ’seriously consider’ banning the garment, which is often used by Muslim women.
“Wearing a burka was like going round with a paper bag over your head,” Hollobone had reportedly said on the floor of the house.
Meanwhile, Hollobone has criticised the Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council (NREC) for complaining against him.
He blasted NREC for challenging the freedom of speech while attempting to have him prosecuted.
“It’s complete hypocrisy. They talk on one hand about freedom of speech and expression and then without even making contact try to get me prosecuted. In this country you should be able to have a debate about controversial subjects without the threat of police action. That’s how democracy works,” The Sun quoted Hollobone, as saying.
It may be noted that NREC had sent letter to the MP criticising his stance on Muslim women who choose to wear the burka in public.
Speaking during a debate on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 11) last week, Hollobone had insisted that wearing a burka was not in accordance with the country’s culture.
“This is Britain. We are not a Muslim country. Covering your face in public is strange and to many people both intimidating and offensive,” Hollobone had said.
According to an estimate, burkas are worn by about 100,000 of the 2.4million Muslims living in Britain. (ANI)
- Moderate Muslims slam Brit Islamic schools for forcing girl students to wear burka - Oct 03, 2010
- Tory Chairperson Warsi defends rights of Muslim women to wear 'burka' - Aug 03, 2010
- Britain must "seriously consider' banning burkhas in public: Hollobone - Mar 12, 2010
- 95 per cent of Britain supports burka ban: Hollobone - Jul 21, 2010
- Tory MP moves private bill to outlaw 'burqa' - Jul 01, 2010
- Netherlands to ban burka, halve immigration: Anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders - Oct 01, 2010
- British MP proposes law to ban 'burkas' in public - Jul 01, 2010
- Three British Muslims jailed for anti-gay campaign - Feb 11, 2012
- British MP says he won't meet veiled Muslim women - Jul 17, 2010
- British parliamentarians avoid voting on Burkha ban - Dec 04, 2010
- Two-thirds of Britons support Islamic burka ban - Jul 17, 2010
- Burqa empowers women, says British minister - Jul 19, 2010
- Britain rules out possibilities of imposing 'burka' ban - Jul 18, 2010
- French 'burka rage' teacher faces jail after ripping off Muslim woman's face veil - Oct 15, 2010
- Israeli rabbis to issue an edict to clamp down on 'burka' - Jul 31, 2010
Tags: burka, burkas, conservative member, controversial subjects, equality council, freedom of speech, garment, house of commons, hypocrisy, international women, march 11, member of parliament, mp, muslim country, muslim women, muslims, nrec, parliamentary debate, police action, racial hatred
