4thought.tv

Finally. Thank you Dr Hargey. I am a Christian and i have read the Qu'ran as it effects my job. It is refreshing to see someone going back to the roots and teaching the truth of their beliefs with little or no spin and interpretation placed on it. I fully agree with your sentiment and views on how many peoples beliefs are being eroded or changed by later 'additions' or re-worked 'interpretations' of them.

Superb!!! SO positive to see a Positive Educated , free thinking Muslim expressing a Modern way forward for ISLAM in the UK.

As an atheist who believes in humanism and secularism I was very pleased to hear your strong words.

It gives me some hope that there are people within Islam that wish to see the view that it is the worlds most barbaric religion changed.

To you sir, I doff my cap.

I agree that the burka should be banned as there are many people living in England and they accept that everyone is equal!

I think the extremist here is you. What gives you the right to tell British women what to wear, if you really want to uphold British values, don't dictate your version of Islam on others. As a man you have no right to tell me what to wear. PEACE

banning the burka will make the uk, not far off from the saudis. theres no saudi sword or afghani gunmen here to make women cover their face in the uk

I totally agree with Taj Hargey. Wearing of this ridiculous so-called Islamic dress should definitely be banned. Even if that is not done we should never allow a persons picture to appear on any identification document without a full face view including the eyes.

This film made so much sense. What a superb knowledgeable comment. Why can't we hear more from Islamic leaders like this, instead of the more ' radical ' comments the media seem to find everytime they fit the news agenda.

Of course it should be banned, however being a land where no one will speak out for being branded racist I doubt it will ever happen. The country is full of politically correct do-gooders irrespective of religion. How about no Muslims at all in this country - that would solve all the problems!

Well done! About time more stood up & be bold to stand against the extremists - the burka should be banned!

Well said and absolutely true. I congratulate the speaker for his courage. There is NOTHING in the Koran that stipulates that the female face or head should be covered. The Koran does however state that Muslims should appear (dress) differently than the enemy (all non Muslims) and the female covering and the male beard is justified for that purpose. That makes it a symbol of segregation and is promoted by Muslim scholars who want to segregate Muslims from the rest of us.

May I congratulate Imam Hargey on his very brave stand against fundamentalism. He is absolutely right when he says that these primative and barbaric customs should be referred back to their homelands. British Muslims should be proud of Dr. Hargey for bringing their faith into the 21st century.

I want somewhere to sign a petition about this, it is very important we all stand up together and be heard in a country where it's possible to have a voice. We take it for granted and we are more lucky than we know.

Is it right for you to dictate how other Muslims practices their religion.
Would this be any different then those Afghans who you call extremist forcing you to grow a beard.

Excellent point of View. I'm an Atheist but as long as religion treats people as equals, respects other religions/ or lack of, treats animals with respect and respects UK National law then I say "Live and let Live."
If there is a God? (Capable of creating ALL the wonders of the Universe, All Life and the complex life and death cycles of millions of different species, 99% of which are now extinct)IMO It/She/He would be way above caring about how a women dresses or other petty human concerns/differences. Remember ALL humans are born without religion and are 99.9% genetically the same. We really should try harder to get a long....

Yes, we should be allowed to express our religion in public, but we must also keep in mind other peoples human rights.
The right not to be intimidated, I find the full veil head dress intimidating, we are not allowed to walk into a shop wearing a biker helmet, balaclava or even a hood due to intimidation.. But muslims can intimidate people everyday all in the name of religion.
I have no problem at all with people expressing their religion in public, wear a turban, a head jab, a lords cross, or rosmary beads if that is your religion, just don't make people feel uncomfortable and intimidated with full head veils. Show some consideration.

Thank you Dr Taj Hargey. I fully and firmly support your views and wish there were more people like you. I am not a Muslim, just a Britsh citizen and I have always felt strongly that religious tolerance is one of the things that is important to protect in our country. However, in the last few years the religious extremist views that seem to be permeating our culture are actually starting to restrict the freedoms of others. The level of aggressive intolerance that extreme religions bring make me start to question how much I value freedom for others when it is based in prescriptive inequality. Thank you for having the courage to take a stand, to speak your truth and to show all of the community of this country that there is a way forward. Kind Regards Tracey Curry

Totally agree with this man but not for the reasons that he stated although he also makes a very good case why the hijab/burka should be banned in the UK.

Sight makes up 83% of the impact on the brain of information from the senses during a visual presentation. Taste makes up 1%, Hearing makes up 11%, smell 3% and touch 2%. By covering the face that person is making a deliberate statement not to communicate with the rest of society properly and is also making a large statement that they are choosing not to integrate with the rest of the indigenous population of the UK. It is quite frankly just downright rude to cover your face in this fashion.

No one would tolerate people wearing balaclava's in public in the UK and the hijab should no different!

I found this really interesting about the burka being from Jewish origin and not in the Koran. I also admire Taj Hargey for speaking out. I totally agree with him and think they should be banned. They do instill a sense of fear.

Dr Taj Hargey is right women who wear the burkha from choice for efect aid in the oppression of their sisters in countries where the have no choice no voice no education and live in fear, the covering of your face has nothing to do with your faith.

congratulations Sir, at last a muslim cleric speaking the truth, but you need to get your message to more of us English Non muslims as we are quite alarmed by the Islamist invasion..we fear they want to put is back hundreds of years.

I don't know which traditions he is talking about quran was also written long after prophet so that should be left out of Muslim religion and if we continue where do we end up
was bible written at the time of Jesus or any other prophet who wrote it should we not abandon it completely because it was written later will all Jews and Christians accept this view to abandon every thing which is written after the time of prophet?
after all no one forces British women to wear it and it is their choice of religion and practices not an order of Saudi or Pakistani or Afghan government

Dr Hargey, you say the Burqa originates from the Jewish faith, is that why you oppose the state of Israel. ?

Thank you Taj, a rational human response. I was brought up in a liberal Muslim household, but became an atheist in my late teens.
I can only make sense of organised religion by thinking of it as big business. The product is the same, access to god and usually heaven. But just like a car each company tries to sell its version of the way to get from A to B is the best - right shape, colour type of wheels, convertible or hard top.
Religions all take steps to protect their brand as well - how else do you explain the cover up of child abuse in the catholic religion, surely it can't be answered on spiritual grounds?
It's interesting that men generally set the rules of their religious product, so its hardly surprising that women get second class status, men get the power (Christain, Muslim and Jews all promote men having more power, for example where to pray, and which sex is allowed to formally lead prayers. I don't know enough to comment on other religious products).
So lets stop pretending that a woman covering her face in anyway makes her better Muslim. Remember the purpose is prevent poor weak men from getting lustful thoughts so not thinking of Alah. So women who don't cover up are treated as those who tempt men so deserve any unwanted sexual advances/violence against them. Remember the Koran also says its fine for the man to chastise his woman.
So lets stop pretending that the issue about women covering their faces is about religious or social tolerance/freedom, if women really felt like they wanted to cover their faces as an expression of their free will, they would have done so across the world, not just because of the direction of a religion led by a man.
Hey being a man, I am against men, I am just pointing out that in my view religion is big business, and the people at the top table are men, we need to take the rules of that business with that bit out understanding in mind.

I believe if they want to be covered up, tell them cover up. I only think that in places like a bank, it better no one to have their faces covered. I am not sure about bans.

The wearing of the veil was probably a cultural practice adopted in Arab Countries around the 3rd Century. It was practical in the climate there and protected against dust and flies. It predates Islam by several centuries.
I'm not in favour as it creates a barrier between people when you can' see their faces.
To an extent would support Dr Hargey in arguing for a veil.
The important difference though is my objection is Cultural and not Religious.
We should not be passing Laws to enforce Religious opinions. The issue is covering the face in public not the differences between Islamic Denominations.
We should consider banning the veil because it covers the face not because it is seen by some as a not truly Islamic practice.
Really interesting to hear Dr Hargey speak.

Should have gone to specsavers! Just realised I missed a couple of important words in my earlier post which changed the meaning. I'm also taking this opportunity to hopefully make my meaning clearer. The last paragraph should read ' As a man, I am not against men at all, its just that as, in my view, religion is big business and all the people at the top table are men, we should take that bit of understanding into account rather than just accepting the rules of that business, especially when it comes to what women are expected to do to prove how devoted they are.

What a nice rational face to Islam. He made comments I would be happy with ( and I am not religious ). An honour to Britain I think:)

No as 90% of wars are because of religion..I feel we are all equal in race,creed and color. and therefore should leave religion in the house or church..full stop

Why do the religious feel a need to advertise their religious beliefs?Personally, it doesn't bother me if people wear turbans or crucifixes but Laura Stewart can only be attention-seeking in wearing her hideous black outfit since there is nothing in the Koran that says women must be covered from head to foot in shapeless black. Men and women are supposed to 'dress modestly' but the mysogynists amongst the Middle-Eastern muslims have forced this on their women.I find it repugnant and offensive that a woman born in the west with all the hard-won benefits that that affords, should choose a uniform designed to humiliate and restrict women. Especially considering all those women over the centuries who struggled, suffered and even died for the right to dress, think and express themselves with the same freedom as men!

I have recently witnessed a car accident caused by a woman wearing a burka because she couldn't see properly, potentially putting someone's life a risk. Woman should feel free to wear whatever they want when they want, as long as it doesn't affect others. And clearly there are some occasions when it does so at times like this, they should be expected to wear they're clothing only when appropriate. We wouldn't drive without wearing glasses if thats what we're required to do.

Of course you are free to wear what ever you want (we, unlike some, live in a free country) - but come on, here in the UK (can we just forget religion for a moment - it has clamied countless lives since Adam was a lad) if you wear something so unusual be prepared for stares, comments, shouts, hatred even. Thinking about it, ignore UK....If you wear something so out of the usual for your sorroundings you are likely to get a 'negative' response in any nation of the world. Of course in some nations that response can be deadly.

What a refreshing point of view! My only quibble would be, as I have said to Christians, that if there were a God he would have the power to make his wishes quite clear to everybody without all the ambiguity in 'Holy books' that causes thousands of offshoots of the main religions and a wide range of interpretations. The Koran is vague regarding the veil - in the translation I read women should 'cover their adornment'! Hair? Chest? Jewellery?! Some would say whole body as an excuse for imposing the hideous Burka!

As a British Muslim woman I find it objectionable for a man to dictate what I wear and that includes Taj Harguey who is no different from the Taliban that he refers to if he believes in the sort of facism that bans freedom of choice and freedom of expression.

In this country only people who are up to no good cover their faces. Any other reasons for covering faces are alien to our culture so if muslims want to live in the UK they should respect that. Should add that the whole idea of religion is a falacy without the slightest bit of evidence. There is no such thing as a god so muslims and christians alike are living in a fantasy world from a different era to the rest of us, it's about time they recognised that and gave up their silly ideas.

Women should not be allowed to cover their faces at anytime, driving is one point in question! it is possible to cause an accident, i shudder at the sight of a woman dring a car especially a big one while he face is covered, i think it should be banned altogether full stop, the wearing of turbans is ok provided it is not on a motor cycle, they should conform to our laws fully,we should not allow these people to make their own laws, we would not be allowed to please ourselves in their own country of origin.

It is great to see such a balanced, humane interpretation of Islam. I am sure that many Muslims feel the same way and I hope that they begin to express themselves. One question though. What interpretation can be given to Surah 65.4 of the Qur'an where it gives instructions on how to divorce a child? It can't be from God, can it? Surely it is from the people of the time.

The freedom to express religion is one of the very definitions of democracy. (with the exception of extremism and the hate crime, of which such acts should be suppressed by as many means as necessary). If the so-called democratic countries were to criminalise the burka, it just shows democracy is a false ideal that doesn't exist.

We have nothing to gain from banning the burka. I serve customers at my workplace who wear the burka or hijab, i do so on a daily basis, and not once have any of them ever told me what I should and shouldn't be doing on the grounds of their religious beliefs.

Why would anybody object to the burka? Are they offended when they see it? The burka does not exist to offend. Being offended is subjective...you chose to find it offensive and you choose to feel insecure.

So what if you think they segregate themselves from society. If they just want to take their kids to the park or shop for their groceries, it doesn't stop them from achieving that. It would obviously affect their job prospects, but anybody who chooses to wear it would accept that as a fair consequence.

I am not offended by women who wear the burka as it does not affect my freedom in any way. What a hypocrite I would be to hamper their freedom for my own selfish opinion.

(Views expressed by somebody who is not associated with Islam)

Religious freedoms require those people that wish to exercise them to have a respect for others who do not believe as they do.. Encouraging, or forcing particular dress codes is political rather than religious and is done to reinforce authority, obedience and emphasize differences. Basic tribal thinking, if we are to have a multi cultural and multi religious society we need to get rid of all the things that cause fear and hatred no matter how dearly they are held by the faithful. If not then the consequences are more ethnic, cultural and religious bloodletting and the politically motivated wings of religious fanaticism win. .

Great man, he comes across in this short piece as both intelligent and wise, he is a credit to Islam and to Britain.

Secularism is a religion itself and has no claim of superiority over the Christian faith. Christianity is not a private religion; to be silent on such occasions would be hypocritical. Why do secularists/humanist atheists bother if they think that prayers are directed to Someone who - for them - doesn't exist? Why are they so sensitive to what they regard as nonsense?

like , agree and support his views

People like him need a cheap publicity. I don't know who he is? And, I don't want to know that either. He's not any different than an illiterate extremist who want to enforce his interpretation of religion on others! I'm not in favour of burka but I'm not against it either; people should be free to choose their dress.