http://www.comcast.net/...
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Just a cultural or religious tradition that should be respected - or a symbol of the oppression and subjugation of women?
It's not in the Quran.
http://relijournal.com/...
What does Quran say about the Burqa?
First of all, it depends on which Islamic scholar you ask. They are all in disagreement as to what extend Quran advocates this. However, the Quran does urge men and women to dress and behave modestly in society. The Quran does not specifically mention the Burqa or tells women to wear such extremely confining clothes. The Ulema or the Scholars do agree that the Quran says women should not wear extremely revealing clothes. Modern day muslims base their authority regarding the Burqa on the Hadith or collected traditions of life in the days of Muhammad the prophet. But a noteworthy objection is that Hadith describes 7th century Arabian life, which should not be imposed on modern day Muslims world wide. Muslim communities also argue that women are to dress modestly but should not be forced or punished to wear a Burqa. This is why many Muslim communities have different preferences regarding the application of the Burqa.
In December 1996, Radio Shari’a announced that 225 Kabul women had been seized and punished for violating the sharia code of dress. The sentence was handed down by a tribunal and the women were lashed on their legs and backs for their misdemeanor.
Those countries that force the woman's wearing of a Burqa on pain of corporal punishment or imprisonment are barbaric. I don't care if it's part of their culture or not.
Burqa Barbie will be on my grandkids' Christmas list over my dead body. And her manufacturer, Mattel, can go to hell.
UPDATE: I have to go offline for a while; back as soon as I can. Thanks for coming.