[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

The Burqa is not necessarily a forced "tradition". It is religious service, as is any other religious tradition. I am Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox. During Mass, 99% of the women there cover the head and face during the service (not quite as elaborate as with a burqa, but it comes from the same Middle Eastern/North African traditional root). Why do they do this? It is not only an outward sign of faith and piety, but an inward reminder of the superiority of the Divine. It is a form of religious dedication and service. It is an important aspect of worship for women within these cultures. It is not the right of the western world, and of western women, to judge these other women or their traditions. Rest assured, they think American women are just as hopeless and backwards, with their cosmopolitan world of fashion and overt sexuality.

I am a dreadlock. Within the Rastafari culture, dreadlocks can be as important as the burqa. The Bobo Ashanti dreads never reveal their locks in public. They must maintain them covered at ALL times. Some Bobos never even show their wives their dreads. I have inherited this shame so to speak, and usually prefer a head covering to outward flowing dreads. I feel uncomfortable and nervous without a head covering, as if I am doing something wrong, when in public without one. In a way, I guess I can relate to the Burqa, because I too cover my head in public at almost all times. My dreads are a religious service, to remind me daily in my life about my dedications and venerations. So, I can truly empathize, and understand that for many women, I am sure that the burqa is fully necessary, fully voluntary, and in no way should be interferred with by the Western world.

The Netherlands has no right to do this, and it is destined to failure.