Wearing Burkas in German Schools

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I think the headmaster was absolutely right in suspending the two girls. Germany is a democratic country where women and men have equal rights and where clothes that symbolize the suppression of women and the non-respect of democratic values must not be allowed. -- Maria Seissl, Austria

I agree with the school. There is one thing about being religious, but there is quite another situation when someone decides to wear a burka for political reasons in a society such as Germany that does not persecute people for their religion. It's pushing the limits and it's wrong. -- Garth Sommer

The school was correct in suspending the two girls. When a person moves from one country to another, he or she should follow the laws and customs of the new country -- and that includes learning the language. Most people are unaware that culture is language-based. The United States, with no legally designated official language, is having problems. Immigrants who do not learn English do not evolve into "Americans" and are incapable of doing so. The economic costs of the lack of an official language are staggering. In addition to the costs of offering driving manuals and other official documents in multiple languages, courts must provide translation services and schools offer instruction in migrant students native languages. I have read that California offers primary and secondary school instruction in 80 different languages. Good for you Germany: Your country, your language, your rules. -- Peter, US

If a western girl dressed in T-shirt and shorts attended a class in an Islamic country, would they be accepted? I think not. -- kiwiden

The school had every right to suspend the girls for wearing burkas. If they want to wear those outfits, they should go to a religious school, or not live in Germany. -- lavalore

The school authority should have asked the two girls to go back and change their dresses, but should not have suspended them right away. The school authority should have explained to them why they should change their clothing. -- Abubakari