Banning the Burqa? A Forum on Religion, Sex and Discrimination
- When: 25th February
- Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
- Location: Central Lecture Block Lecture Theatre 6, UNSW Kensington
President Nicolas Sarkozy has declared that the burqa is unwelcome in France, saying that it is a symbol of subservience that makes them into "prisoners behind a screen". President Barack Obama in contrast has defended hijab as "indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion", and has pledged that the US government will continue to punish those who deny the right of women to wear hijab. In Australia too, Muslim women's dress codes have become matters of public debate.
This public forum at UNSW brings together leading figures in this debate in order to discuss questions of religion, sex and discrimination, and the role of the state in the regulation of dress.
Moderator: Helen Pringle
Speakers include:
Sally Neighbour
Award-winning investigative journalist, author and leading Australian commentator on Islamic extremism and terrorism. Sally's newest book is The Mother of Mohammed: An Australian Woman's Extraordinary Journey into Jihad, which tells the remarkable story of Muslim convert Rabiah Hutchinson, who grew up in Mudgee, New South Wales, and later spent twenty years on the frontline of the global Islamist struggle.
Shakira Hussein
Writer and researcher, focusing on Islam, gender and South Asia. Shakira has recently compleyed her PhD at the Australian National University, on encounters between Western and Muslim women.
Maha Krayem Abdo
President of the United Muslim Women's Association. Maha is a recipient of many awards, including the Order of Australia Medal for her exceptional service to the Muslim community in Sydney, in particular the areas of Muslim women's leadership training, social justice and inter-faith dialogue.
Contact Details
Please contact for further information: Dr Helen Pringle, h.pringle@unsw.edu.au
