Freedom Defaced.....

My friend Rizby was browsing through the news over the Internet this morning and found a headline that caused me some alarm. It revolves on the Netherlands' ban of wearing burqas in public that was uninamously approved by the Dutch government yesterday (Friday).

I'm surprised that a country that is so open, tolerant and liberal like the Netherlands would impose such a ban on its multi-ethnic and multi-religious citizens. Cushioning the move under the pretext of security concerns does not make it more urgent, gratifying or even believeable.

The ban came at the heels of pressure from right-wing parties who demand a tighter monitoring of unfamiliar or foreign cultural elements that have, in recent years, infiltrated the Dutch society following the influx of Muslim immigrants into the country.

Basing their worry on terrorist-related activities that would possibly arise from burka-wearing - perhaps as a way to ‘conceal’ potential suicide bombers or radical Muslim sympathizers - the move for greater enforcement i.e., ban won the favor of Parliamentary representatives. Also, the assassination of the Dutch’s two illustrious citizens who incited Muslims’ anger might bear some weight in Friday’s decision.

I find it ironic that engaging in prevalent activities that can have dire consequences such as prostitution or debilitating physical effects like pot-addiction is not frowned upon or seriously minded in a liberal society. Conversely, burka-donning, which finds its roots in the interpretation of religious texts and is meant as a form of modesty for women (thus protecting the women from possibly falling prey to depraved men), is totally unacceptable and victimizes women’s freedom.

Granted, the differing interpretation of the Quranic verses within a country as well as socio-cultural background of certain communities also delineate the degree to which burka-wearing is considered the norm in Muslim societies.

I still remember when Malaysia started its fierce tourism campaign for Middle-Eastern demographics in the aftermath of 9/11. At first, watching chaperoned Arab women of different nationalities in their abaya and at times with a face-cover (burka-like) swarming the streets (and malls) of Kuala Lumpur astounded and overwhelmed me. As the years passed by however, I’d gotten the hang of seeing them in town, more so during the peak of their summer holiday. It’s like bumping into those orthodox Hasidic Jews, with their long curls dangling at each side of their sideburns, in the subway in New York. As a newbie in Big Apple, I was naturally shocked by their appearance but would I go so far as persecuting and discriminating them? In a Semitic-conscious world, I don’t even think that would be ON the table of agendas.

I believe it's only human to fear those elements and situations that we are not familiar with. And to quote Rodney King’s infamous words “People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along”, that is exactly my sentiment when I read this newspiece. Yes, I wish the Netherlands which fervently practices freedom of religious expression, will reconsider and subsequently lift the ban. Sadly, in today’s world of complex ego-system (as opposed to eco-system) and legacy of racial hatred and religious prejudice, such child-like fancy is easier said than done.