Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Face time? The pros and cons of burqa bans: Part 2 The Q&A Battle of Ideas Festival
Filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 25 this compelling and contentious debate is well worth a watch. This is the Q&A which follows the introductory speeches.
#BurqaDebate, #Freedom of expression, #WomenRights
Across Europe, bans on face-covering veils such as the burqa and niqab have sparked fierce debate over freedom, feminism, and cultural identity. Supporters of a UK ban argue that such garments hinder integration, threaten British identity, and pose public safety concerns. Some also view the veil as a symbol of female oppression, claiming that prohibiting it would promote women’s liberation and gender equality. Opponents counter that banning the burqa represents state overreach and infringes on individual liberty.
Full session details are available at battleofideas.org.uk/session/face-time-the-pros-and-cons-of-burqa-bans
The speakers are:
Josie Appleton - Director, civil liberties group, Manifesto Club
Faika El-Nagashi - Director, Athena Forum; political scientist; former MP (Austria)
Khadija Khan - Journalist and broadcaster; editor, A Further Inquiry
Ralph Leonard - Author, Unshackling Intimacy; contributor, UnHerd, Quillette, New Statesman
The chair is: Dr James Panton - Deputy head welfare, St Edwards School; associate lecturer philosophy, OU
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 50 sessions at the festival. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on and volunteer centre open. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank you so much.
Face time? The pros and cons of burqa bans: Part 2 The Q&A Battle of Ideas Festival
Filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 25 this compelling and contentious debate is well worth a watch. This is the Q&A which follows the introductory speeches.
#BurqaDebate, #Freedom of expression, #WomenRights
Across Europe, bans on face-covering veils such as the burqa and niqab have sparked fierce debate over freedom, feminism, and cultural identity. Supporters of a UK ban argue that such garments hinder integration, threaten British identity, and pose public safety concerns. Some also view the veil as a symbol of female oppression, claiming that prohibiting it would promote women’s liberation and gender equality. Opponents counter that banning the burqa represents state overreach and infringes on individual liberty.
Full session details are available at battleofideas.org.uk/session/face-time-the-pros-and-cons-of-burqa-bans
The speakers are:
Josie Appleton - Director, civil liberties group, Manifesto Club
Faika El-Nagashi - Director, Athena Forum; political scientist; former MP (Austria)
Khadija Khan - Journalist and broadcaster; editor, A Further Inquiry
Ralph Leonard - Author, Unshackling Intimacy; contributor, UnHerd, Quillette, New Statesman
The chair is: Dr James Panton - Deputy head welfare, St Edwards School; associate lecturer philosophy, OU
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 50 sessions at the festival. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on and volunteer centre open. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank you so much.
