[Angus]

Belgium has banned the wearing of the burka and many other western countries are following suit, even going so far as to imprison husbands who insist their wives wear them.

In the interests of national security should we ban the wearing of the burka in Britain, bearing in mind it is NOT a religious requirement in the Qu'ran but a cultural one?

Personally, as a woman, I find it offensive that men have imposed this requirement on women for no other reason than apparently other men may not look upon their women who are seen as a possessions, and that women other than their wives do not tempt men (who apparently are too weak willed and lustful to be able to prevent themselves from pouncing on burkaless women!). In some islamic countries it is only the woman who is punished in cases of adultery, and even rape!

Should we have to tolerate these medieval mysoginistic views in our predominantly Christian country? Discuss