I belive that they should be allowed to keep their veils on as its part of thier religious beliefs and they have the human right to choose who does or does not see their face. Thier belief is only thier husband has that right to view thier face and body. Why should they be made to do something that they feel is wrong. What do you think. They have enough problems to deal with being a women within the muslim community as it is.
2006-10-06 06:47:15 · 33 answers · asked by AARONLEE AND SASHA 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The Koran requires muslim women to keep their outer garments wrapped around them, when leaving the home, or in the presence of men other than their family.
I wouldn't class a veil as a normal outer garment.
2006-10-06 06:56:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's just such a strange request. It's almost like asking people to assimilate because then everyone is more comfortable and there are less problems. People keep saying he is so brave talking about something like this in such sensitive times. I think it's just insensitivity.
He may have meant it in a genuine way, but anything that encourages generations into even mild Islamophobia is inappropriate.
I don't deny his right to make comments like that, but a woman should be allowed to wear whatever she feels most comfortable in.
If this was a problem of Islamic women being forced into wearing veils maybe something should be done, but most choose to wear it of their own free will. Unlike some other countries.
England has a considerable immigrant population, so he should just accept that cultures will have to exist in parallel to each other.
The other day he commented that the situation in Iraq was "dire". He's our bloody foreign secretary! How come he hasn't mentioned anything like this EVER before?
2006-10-06 07:47:45 · answer #2 · answered by holly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the United States and our country is primarily Christians of different denominations and we do not wear veils to cover our faces out in public or at church, if the Muslim's wear veils for their religious beliefs, it should be done only in their church and not out in public when they are in our country, what makes them so special in the U.S.? Nothing, if they want to be here they should have enough respect to follow our customs. Jack had every right to ask them to remove the veils over the face, however, if they want to wear it over their heads, it should not be a problem, as many women do with scarfs and such.
2006-10-06 07:09:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jack Straw did not "demand" anything, get your facts right before posting, please.
He said that he ASKS them to remove their veils when he has to hold a meeting with them.
I agree with him. Imagine lying in hospital, ill and in pain and the doctor who comes to treat you and explain what is wrong is all shrouded in black and you can't even see her face!! How scary would that be! You need to have face to face communication in some cases - a smile or an expression can convey reassurance and confirmation and help both the speaker and the listener understand each other.
Personally I think they look ridiculous and intimidating and what the hell is "immodest" about showing your face anyway? Its not like showing your breasts or genitals fergawdsake!
And I'm sick of pandering to Muslims - they seem to want one law for them and another for everyone else. Thats not the way it works in this country.
2006-10-06 07:41:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if people want to live elsewhere they should respect the laws of that country. What is it with you? This country is losing its identity by the day. Immigrants come into this country and get looked after better than our own. Pensioners die every year because they cant pay their fuel bills and meanwhile Immigrants come here because lets face it we are soft and get whatever they want basically. Let them take their veils off in an age where we are watched by cctv I have to take a hat off or pull down my hood if I go in a shop so why should anyone (man or woman) be void of indentification? Are women not capable of a terrorist act? And anyway if you feel muslim women have it tough then why not encourage them to empower themselves it is the 21st century.
2006-10-06 07:10:02 · answer #5 · answered by leepato1970 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a male avatar...just so you know. However, I do not know about the Jack Straw incident. I do however know of an incident in florida in which a muslim woman in a burqua did not remove her hood for her driver's licence picture. She was then denied a licence. She protested, however since driving is a priviledge in America and not a right, she had no legal recourse to take. A picture ID is supposed to be just that...not a picture of fabric. Plus, it could be hiding herself as a wanted person by our authorities.
However, I do think veils on the hair is acceptable in public and well within anyone's right to wear with face exposed and does co-incide with Islam laws. Actually, I think veils are a really good idea, I'm sick of doing my hair everyday...wearing a veil to cover it all up would save me a lot of time in the morning!
2006-10-06 06:59:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Jack Straw - but only after I read a piece by he head of the Muslim Council of Great Britain who explained that the viel is cultural and not a religious requirement.
I do not think it wrong to expect citizens to adapt to the cultural values of the country where they choose to live.
I do however fear that some comments could fuel the far right so I would still advise high profile figures to act with caution and condisider how their words could be twisted by those with a more sinister agenda.
2006-10-06 06:55:56 · answer #7 · answered by James B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He didn't demand at all, he made a suggestion.
In England we have a little thing called freedom of speech, and it is his right to make such a suggestion, just as it is the right of Muslims (and others) to disagree with him.
Many people have been getting agitated about Jack Straw's comments but wouldn't it be best if they took the time to find out what he really said before responding?
2006-10-06 07:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by grandwalloper 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Didn't he only want to see their face? I don't think there was a problem about wearing a hijab, which only covers their hair.
I recall reading on here where someone asked about what the religion really said about veils, and some muslims answered that it was only the head cover which was necessary, not the face, and that it was in fact bad manners to cover the face in a non-muslim country!
Sorry I can't find the reference, because I found that very interesting.
2006-10-06 07:02:21 · answer #9 · answered by Rose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes but living in this country they must realise that this is a country ruled by Christians and if we say that they must remove headdress as part of the rules for living in this country then they should because believe it or not they wear head dresses to prevent them from being raped etc and it is not compulsory for them to wear them. They head dresses also show that they are part of a certain religion, again they dont have to wear them. What Jack straw has asked is in no way wrong but as we all know muslims make protests and overreact to everything said about them. It was a simple request really not a demand.
2006-10-06 06:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by Fozzie 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋