**TL;DR: Banning the Burka would be a regressive step in politics**. As [Huffington Post] (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/chris-whiting/why-we-shouldnt-ban-the-burka_b_11804154.html) argues, 'banning the burka is a political issue, like scrapping inheritance tax and restoring the death penalty, that arises every so often without making much progress towards becoming law'. In the case of banning the burka in political roles, it has the same consequences. Not only would banning the burka create further adversities in politics by creating further difficulties for Muslim women who wear the burka and wish to enter governmental roles in an already white-dominated sector, but it would also create ideas of misinformation about the burka itself. As [Chris Whiting] (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/chris-whiting/why-we-shouldnt-ban-the-burka_b_11804154.html) states, 'it is not down to the British public to decide what ways of dressing are or are not domineering to Muslim women'. An item of clothing, should not, and does not, stop a person from performing their job role effectively, which is why I think we should not make the burka illegal in governmental roles.

It is rare that ultra conservative people and seemingly "progressive" people agree, but this is one of the times they do. This belief is often a result of either Islamaphobia or feminism which entirely lacks intersectionality. It is simply another way of expressing xenophobia and intolerance of other cultures and religions as well as being a way of controlling women's bodies. It strips them, figuratively and literally, of choice and comfort. Liberation comes in many different forms, for some it is revealing clothes or western items whereas some women feel liberated in a burka. They feel at ease expressing their religious freedom and being listened to without worrying about their appearance and being judged for it. There is a double standard where women are slut shamed for wearing revealing clothes and then labelled oppressed for choosing to cover up, which is sheer ignorance. What is always oppressive is banning women from wearing clothes they choose to wear, so this should be no different in govt/civic roles.

**Commentary** - The burka is a one piece veil which covers the face and body, worn by female followers of Islam. Not to be confused with the Hijab, which covers only the neck and hair, and [Niqab](https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/24118241), which also covers the full face but not the body. - The burka and other Islamic headcoverings have been a particularly controversial issue across Europe. - As of Thursday, 15th July 2021, the EU's highest court ruled that the burka and other head coverings can now be banned by European companies under the conditions of "A prohibition on wearing any visible form of expression of political, philosophical or religious beliefs in the workplace may be justified by the employer’s need to present a neutral image or to prevent social disputes". - Whilst this ruling does not at this stage apply to civic roles, it appears to be only a small step further to extend this to a universal workplace ban and ignites the discussion of whether there are any justifications or if it is downright Islamophobia. - The grounds for the ruling is, as seen in the quote above, to 'prevent social disputes' and allow companies to 'present a neutral image'. - The court acknowledged such policies have a [disproportionate effect](https://twitter.com/MehreenKhn/status/1415581101385469952) on Muslim women: “such a limited prohibition is liable to have a greater effect on people with religious…beliefs which require the wearing of a large-sized sign, such as a head covering.” - Some proponents of banning the burqa argue its need in favour of security issues and the need for cultural cohesion. - However, others find burka ban legislations are discriminatory, and even a violation of human rights and freedom of religion and expression. - Denmark saw the implementation of a ban on Islamic full-face coverings on the basis of the policy aiming to see better integration of Muslim immigrants into Danish society. However, protesters argue the opposite occurs, and legislations limiting the expression of Muslims creates feelings of [alienation](https://www.thelocal.dk/20180801/women-defiant-as-danish-ban-on-full-face-veil-takes-effect/) amongst the Muslim community. - Whilst proponents of the burka ban including the EU high court ruling aim to prevent disputes and security issues, the ASIO warns banning the burqa will ['fuel extremist recruitment and radicalisation'](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2811599/ASIO-warns-banning-burqa-fuel-extremist-recruitment-radicalisation-Australia.html).

**Wearing a Burka does not interfere with a persons ability to do their job thus should not be banned** - Many arguments against the Burka revolve around the face being covered and thus leading to [identification and facial expression reading issues](https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/30696227.pdf) but in the age of mask wearing much of [everyone's face is covered](https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/23/has-covid-19-destroyed-the-case-for-banning-the-burqa-in-europe) therefore if people are allowed to wear face masks they must be able to wear Burkas, not being able to do so is an Islamophobic action - People should have agency on how little or how much they wear, clothing is a form of expression and can be empowering thus people should have the choice - Banning the Burka is a [human rights violation](https://www.dw.com/en/french-burqa-ban-violates-human-rights-rules-un-committee/a-46007469) - Arguments that the ['Burkas oppress women'](https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/case-study/banning-burkas-freedom-discrimination) are contradicted by the fact that banning them in government roles takes away the choice, which is the thing that empowers women and would only serve to isolate women who wear them and force them out of their jobs therefore would be [negative for women's rights](https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/08/denmark-burqa-veil-ban/566630/)

The burka is a religious item, and religious diversity is something america was supposedly founded on. If a government official shouldn't be allowed to wear their Islamic items, then Christian officials shouldn't be alliwed to wear crosses, or anything like that. There is no reason someone shouldn't be allowed to wear their religious items in government. Otherwise it's unconstitutional, and against what our founding fathers spoke of in the declaration of independence.