The ban of Hijab in Brisbane

The image of Islam is again still behind the shadow of doubt among few people. The growth of worrisome feelings towards Muslim women wearing hijab is indeed baseless. Let people express their cultural afiliation as long as it does not violate others. Open the window of dialogue rather than casting a blasphemy against and a bad image of Islam.



Call for hijab ban backed by retailers


A radio announcer's call for a ban on Islamic hijabs has been backed by the Retailers Association.

The peak national body has called for all hijabs, helmets and hoodies to be banned in shops and banks for security purposes.

Brisbane radio presenter Michael Smith angered listeners after calling for Muslim women who wear a hijab to be fined.

The 4BC drive presenter said on Wednesday that wearing the hijab or burqa posed a security risk because it obscured the face, making it difficult to identify the wearer in the instance of a crime.

Mr Smith said it should be made an offence.

Retailers association executive director Scott Driscoll said it had been a long accepted practice to require customers to remove helmets and other identity obscuring headwear when entering a shop or bank.

"Retailers should not have to fear any form of retribution or backlash for requiring the removal of any obscuring headwear, including hijabs, as a condition of entry," Mr Driscoll said.

"This is about ensuring a more safe and secure retail environment for all and being able to readily identify any and all perpetrators of armed hold-ups or shop theft."

Islamic Council of Queensland president Suliman Sabdia said he was disappointed by Mr Smith's remarks.

"He has every right to say it but we do say he displays intolerance, and a complete lack of understanding of the Muslim code of conduct," Mr Sabdia said.

He said he did not think Mr Smith should be fired, instead inviting him to a meeting to discuss the issues.

"Does revenge really, at the end of the day, solve anything? No," he said.

"We forgive him for his lack of understanding, we pray that God almighty gives him the wisdom and the understanding to respect every other individual."

A poll on the station's website on Thursday asking, "Should we impose restrictions on the wearing of burqas in Australia?" had a yes result of 76 per cent, and 23 per cent no, at 10am (AEST).

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Death threats follow call for hijab ban

The Brisbane radio announcer who suggested the hijab be removed in banks and shops has received death threats.

4BC announcer Michael Smith on Wednesday said wearing a face-covering such as some Muslim women do posed a security risk because it made identification difficult in the event of a crime.

Wearing a face-veil in certain places, such as shopping centres, was also offensive and scared little children, he said.

In a recorded threat on the station website a caller says "you're head is on a plate (expletive beeped). You're going to be dead soon (expletive beeped), racist bitch".

Station general manager David McDonald on Friday said most of the calls seemed to emanate from Sydney and he said Smith's original comments had been taken out of context.

"This has been really blown out of total proportion," Mr McDonald said.

"There was never any racism in this at all. There was nothing about religion, it was all about purely security and safety issues."

Mr McDonald said Mr Smith's call was only to show the face, not to remove headwear.

"A lot of criminals have used this to sort of disguise themselves."

Mr Smith, an ex-policeman, was aware of the trauma robberies cause, Mr McDonald said.

"It was never about racism.

Complaints, both to official channels and those phoned in to the radio station, were based on media interpretations of Mr Smith's comments rather than the comments themselves, the general manager said.

"That is extremely disappointing that it's been hijacked for other purposes."

Mr McDonald said upset staff had been counselled and security stepped up.

On the station's website Mr Smith defends his comments.

"It seems this country's media finds it difficult to talk sensibly about certain topics," Friday's entry reads.

"I've been branded a racist in writing by a major national television network who should know better.

"How could anyone say that my comments were racist?"

Queensland police acknowledged that a complaint had been made by the radio station and said it was under investigation.