Straw sparks Muslim veil row -?

Question

I am totally in agreement, if you meet someone wearing a balaclava how would you feel.....?

I'm not racists, its just a part of my natural feeling about someone covered, staring at you....

Right on man.... 3 trillion in debt... I wonder why 100,000 Iraqs smuggled into britain, 14.5k each, wht the f**k is going on???

I'm all in favour of democratic, democratic... anyone knows what it means? a p**s up everyday? take drugs? leave me alone copper.... ORDER! should be prevail, but this maybe a bit late now has the icecaps are melting.... take off your veils, its arrogance amongst men who founded it, and I'm male.

I'm all in favour of democratic, democratic... anyone knows what it means? a p**s up everyday? take drugs? leave me alone copper.... ORDER! should prevail, but this maybe a bit late now has the icecaps are melting.... take off your veils, its arrogance amongst men who founded it, and I'm male.

....rubbish, its an act of rebellion on western society... or obide by English tradition... most muslims do.

I'll correct last messafe slightly, I'm all in favour of a multi cultural society, I'm not in favour of someone who covers their face, what are they hiding? to me its ignorant, to you, I'm ignorant, where do we go from here?

...now your putting religion first... thats not what this is about,... shall we forever stay in the dark ages, shall we never go forward? this is not the answer ... this is about human communication.

Answer 1

It is interesting to me that in an informal poll by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, In response to the question: Jack Straw has urged Muslim women to remove their veils. Do you agree? 75.6% voted YES

Jack Straw's comments, published in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, sparked much controversy. Muslim women are required to cover themselves when they pray and most Muslim women cover their hair when they go in public. The decision to cover the face partially with a veil (niqab) or fully with a burka is a personal one and not a religious requirement.

What Jack Straw said was:

"The reason that you see people is so you can see them and communicate through what you see on their face as well as what you hear through your ears."


"I think, however, that the conversation would be of greater value if the lady took the covering from her face.

"Indeed, the value of a meeting, as opposed to a letter or phone call, is so that you can - almost literally - see what the other person means, and not just hear what they say."

He said that Muslim women who wear full veils make community relations "more difficult" and they should uncover their faces

He said he now makes sure he has a female member of staff with him at surgeries. "I can't recall a single occasion when the lady concerned had refused to lift her veil; and most I ask seem relieved to have done so."

I disagree with his basic premise that the reason why a meeting has more value than a letter or phone call is "seeing" a person's facial expression. The value of a meeting is that there is instant feedback which is delayed in written communication. It is similar to a phone call but a meeting allows for fewer distractions. Even in the corporate world sometimes meetings are conducted via conference calls.

There is some research regarding a person's facial expression and lying, such as the number of times a person blinks so maybe Jack Straw is looking for signs of sincerity? Since he is a public servant, it should be he, who is open and available to the public and not the public he serves.

Furthermore, a Muslim woman who removed her veil still would not make eye contact, according to Quranic injunctions. So the concept that communication would be facilitated is questionable.

If there really is a communication problem, perhaps having an interpreter available would be a better option.

I believe that a woman should have to remove the face veil for identification purposes such as a driving license, but that requiring a woman to remove the veil for a conversation is unnecessary. The official, by virtue of being a government official, when making a request would have more intimidation in requesting a woman to remove her veil than a teacher or other person with whom a Muslim woman might have a conversation. I believe that is why the Muslim women removed their veils because most have come from countries where the government is a brutal oppressive regieme and non-complaince with a request from a government official could mean serious consequences. I think that the same women would not remove the veil if the request were from a non-goverment official.

If the reason for removing the veil were one of identity, security or for a health examination, I would approve of the request. However, his reason was for sincerity and to make him feel more comfortable. What a person communicates through body language is subject to the interpretation of the listener and can possibly be misunderstood. A person's words should be all that is considered in this regard. He is the public servant and his job should be to make his constituents comfortable, not himself. I think that when a Muslim woman must remove her veil in front of a man that she would feel inhibited. It would affect her ability to communicate in a negative way.

So long as wearing a veil is legal, it should not have to be removed so long as the person is engaged in a legal activity. Wearing a veil or religious garb in universities and government buildings is prohibited in Turkey and the population there is 98% Muslim.

Answer 2

I feel very sad when I see a young Muslim girl with a veil hiding her face. In Preston, Lancashire, this is a very common sight and I feel that I just want to go over and remove the veil. I am not interested in the religious implications but in this western society, is it right to conceal one's features? How do we know whether or not it is a man under that disguise - possibly a terrorist.
I agree with Jack Straw that you cannot communicate with a person hiding behind a veil - facial expressions are a part of communication. The old saying: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" puts it in a nutshell.

Answer 3

Jack Straw is right and I am glad he makes a point about this. It is a ridiculous custom and should not be encouraged. People in Europe do not hide their faces, and if Muslims from the Middle East decide that they want to live here, they should integrate themselves into society and accept the things as they are here, in the same way as western women accept the rules in Islamic countries (and wear a head scarf there).
Their ignorance of western culture and their arrogance in wanting to force their culture onto others wherever they are is outrageous and the cause for much tention in society.
No religion should be allowed to hijack the life of normal people with their vested interests and narrow-mindedness.

Answer 4

It is about time prominent politicians in this country stood up as Jack Straw has done and says what the vast majority of British people believe and want to hear.
Too many of them hide behind the multi cultural political correctness that this appalling country has now become enveloped in.
I have no issue with anyone coming to this country of any race or colour ( even though we are vastly over crowded) provided that.

a. They speak fluent English first or learn it within 6 months
b. They speak English in public not their own original language
c. They adopt OUR ways not try to force their own ways on us
d. They work and have job skills that we need and can benefit from
e. If they break the law in any way ( other than minor motoring offences) they are tried and deported back to where ever they came from regardless of the consequences of that deportation.

I don't think any of the above is extreme or unreasonable and any political party that adopted that into their next election manifesto would probably enjoy a massive landslide victory.
Well said Jack! You are a true man and one that can clearly speak his mind unlike Blair, Brown Prescott etc who only speak the words that Will keep them in their corrupt world and lining their own pockets with their own agendas.

Answer 5

Whenever I see a woman (or a man, who's to know?!) in a burkha all I can think of is a letter box.

I think everyone as the right to wear what they want, providing they do not judge others.

Straw was simply commenting that it is hard for women to be chat and be part of a mixed community with a massive scarf covering their face - but that is the whole point!

Answer 6

This is simply another excuse these people are using to have a moan and cause as much unrest as they can.

They should realise that they are their own worst enemy with constantly causing conflict by expecting us to change our culture to suit them. If they are not happy with the culture of the country they are living in, then they should leave and go to a country that will accept their way of life.

They should abide by our rules and laws if they want to stay here.

Motor cyclists are asked to remove their crash helmets when entering shops or banks etc. and we don't hear them moaning about it.

These women, ( how do we know they are woman if they hide their appearance ) have obviously visited Jack Straw for help or advice on a personal matter and should show common courtesy by allowing their adviser to see who they are talking to.

If they are not happy with a simple request to show their face then they should visit a Muslim solicitor and pay for the advice they want.

This is just another non- event that has given the Muslin's the opportunity to rant and rave.

Answer 7

Here we go again, these poor muslims are so hard done by.
If they don't like it why don't they f**k off back to where it is the accepted norm.
The British public are getting sick of tip toeing round muslims in case they cause offence.
Maybe Jack Straw should get the Pope to apologise for him.
When this latest vicious attack on the muslim community blows over there will be another one follows quickly after because these idiots would appear to be actively looking for things to moan about.
The day these religious maniacs stop moaning will be the day they have murdered all non believers. Muslims will be the cause of world war 3, mark my word.

Answer 8

Muslims are the new scapegoats just like the Jews were 65 years ago.

We are the reason your children are hepped up on goofballs, We are are the reason why your country is sinking, we are the cause of World War One and Two, The English Civil War, The death of Princess Diana, We are taking your jobs, your homes, your lives, we are taking over your country, we caused your country to be overrun with grey squirrels, the reason there are only 1000 pandas left in the world, the reason Britain is getting poorer, the reason your Prime Minister likes to lick American butt, the reason why all your men are gay , we caused those floods in the South a while back, the reason all young boys were failing their GCSEs, the reason the weather is erratic, the reason so many people are dying of cancer, the reason that any evil ever befalls your country.

What Have I Missed Out?!

Just put us all in a concentration camp and be done with it.

Answer 9

You mean the veils that women wear?

If you are living in a democratic society you should be able to wear whatever you want.

No one should be told what they can and can't wear.

Anyone who feels otherwise needs to find a hobby and quit worrying about other people.

I am not religious either.

Answer 10

The funny thing is that muslims are the first to get upset with your cross in the neck or your clothes...i will dress like a ninja and go into a muslim store and they will panic...but let's keep it practical...usually 99 from 100 muslims women are simply awful so...well done...well done...keep it... keep it...