Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; MUSLIM women have rallied in their hundreds to oppose moves to ban the burka in Australia, condemning the push as part of an orchestrated "war on Islam" in the West.
Women swathed in veils and wielding placards declaring "my burka - conviction not coercion" and "leave my mum alone - we love nikab" gathered yesterday in a park in Punchbowl, southwestern Sydney.
The first public protest against calls to ban the veil, the rally was co-ordinated by a coalition of Muslim groups known for their often hardline views.
"What this bill has effectively done is open the door to the racist element in Australian society, whereby some people think they have free rein to vilify, abuse and even physically assault women who wear the veil," a female speaker said.
"All it has done is create social unrest and discord, stir up intolerance and create a further divide between the Muslim community and our fellow Australians."
The head of the Lakemba-based United Muslims' Association, Shady Al Suleiman, thanked the leaders of the major political parties for their recent assurances that they would not support legislation to ban the veil, which has been advocated by Liberal senator Cory Bernardi.
Female speakers emphatically rejected claims that face-covering garments such as the burka and nikab symbolised the oppression of women.
Ms Jamal ud-Din, a mother of five and a seventh generation Australian, said she had been wearing the veil for 17 years. "Contrary to popular opinion, to me the face veil has everything to do with feminism," she said.
"I feel empowered by the knowledge that I am in control of displaying my beauty to whom I choose, and the fact that I can move freely throughout society without being subjected to the eyes of every Tom, Dick and Harry."
source : http://www.abna.ir/
