新西兰英语 469 Women wearing a Burqa

 　　Two bus drivers in Auckland did not let two women from Saudi Arabia get on their bus. This happened on two separate occasions. Both women were wearing a burqa – full length body covering, head covering and face veil¹. Both bus drivers said they were nervous about allowing someone onto their bus when they could not see the face of that person.

　　The Saudi Arabian Consul-General has written to the Human Rights Commissioner². Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, John Key, said that in this country we do not discriminate³ against people because of their religious or cultural beliefs. The head of the bus company said that if the drivers do that again, they will lose their jobs.

　　Meanwhile the union representative said a few drivers were worried about safety. They remembered the terrorist⁴ attack on a bus in London. Although New Zealand has been safe from terrorism, there is concern about security during the Rugby World Cup.

　　It is not common to see women wearing a burqa in New Zealand. This is the first time there has been a problem like this.

　　Questions

　　France has banned the face veil in public places and many other countries are thinking about doing the same. Is this because of the fear of terrorism?

　　Motor cyclists have to remove their helmet before they enter a bank. Are women wearing a burqa allowed into a bank?

　　Our laws ban discrimination on the basis of race or religion. What do you think the Human Rights Commissioner will say about this case?

1 veil   

n.面纱，掩饰物，修女；vt.给...戴面纱或面罩；vi.带面纱或面罩

参考例句：

• Please veil your face.请用面纱遮住脸。
• There was a veil of mist over the mountains.山上覆盖着一层薄雾。

2 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

3 discriminate   

v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待

参考例句：

• You must learn to discriminate between facts and opinions.你必须学会把事实和看法区分出来。
• They can discriminate hundreds of colours.他们能分辨上百种颜色。

4 terrorist   

n.恐怖主义者，恐怖分子

参考例句：

• Without the gun,I'm a sitting duck for any terrorist.没有这支枪，我就成了恐怖分子下手的目标了。
• The district was put on red alert during a terrorist's bomb scare.这个地区在得到恐怖分子炸弹恐吓后作了应急准备。