Comments on: Does this lady look angry to you?

By: s.h

s.h — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:06:21 +0000

Europes Angry Muslims is a theme developed by the neo-cons in America last year (See Foreign Affairs magazine). Those of us who have followed the development of anti-muslim hysteria then anti-muslim legislation have seen a pattern whereby; The neo-con think tanks start an anti-muslim theme, which is then picked up by the likes of Time & Newsweek then the European right wing press, then EU govt’s pass legislation against muslims. I wonder which “editor” at the BBC made the “journalistic” choice to air this programme?

By: Abu Abdur Rahman

Abu Abdur Rahman — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:02:09 +0000

With all due respect DrM, I do not see much that is risible or unpleasant in the comment by Old Pickler. The sisters who choose to wear the niqab in a non-Muslim country do so with the knowledge that they will be the occasional objects of discrimination and abuse, and often have to deal with mistrust and ridicule. Nonetheless, they choose to go adapt this garment - their bravery and their faith must be applauded, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for their eeman. However, it is somewhat disingenuous for the same ladies to then turn around and complain of being perceived as an 'outsider' - surely that should have been obvious to even the more naive amongst them before they made that choice?

By: Old Pickler

Old Pickler — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:43:39 +0000

Thank you, Dr M, for your reasoned response to my argument. I wish I had your intelligence and your knowledge of English grammar and orthography.

By: DrM

DrM — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:33:20 +0000

pRickler’s off her meda again.

By: Old Pickler

Old Pickler — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 23:15:24 +0000

It is very unnerving not to be able to see someone’s face.

It is wrong to equate the niqab with “extremism” in the sense of terrorism. However, in a free society, which we still are, just as she is free to wear the niqab, people should be free to point out that it is unacceptable, sinister, degrading and so forth.

Don’t buy the Observer if you don’t like it. And if you don’t like the fact that there is a free press, well there are plenty of countries in the world without one.

By: Farah

Farah — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 12:14:33 +0000

The young, Muslim woman is probably not aware of the fact that her picture has been used like this - in this context.

By: Bint_Muhammad

Bint_Muhammad — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 09:29:59 +0000

To me she does look angry But we cant be sure so Allah hu a’lam

By: Shamil

Shamil — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 18:20:12 +0000

I find many niqab styles threatening, as they have a square, almost robotic look to them (very dehumanizing).

What robots are you thinking of?

By: George Carty

George Carty — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 17:45:37 +0000

I find many niqab styles threatening, as they have a square, almost robotic look to them (very dehumanizing).

The niqabi in the Observer clipping doesn’t look menacing in theat way though…

By: b.

b. — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 17:38:10 +0000

Salaam;

How can a niqabi look angry? All you can see are her eyes, and they don’t look particularly angry to me.

Like you said, chosen simply for its scary appeal instead of for its relevance, a rather sordid newspaper tradition.