Should female muslims discard the veil?

Question

Jack Straw has raised the question. Tony Blair says he was in order to ask the question. Doesn't integration mean, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do?"

Answer 1

well, for identification purposes, if you want to drive, then yeah, sorry, you need to put your veil aside for 2 seconds so they can take your picture.

as far as the actual culture of having a veil, i dont really understand its purpose. it seems to me that sexuality is very repressed in their culture. i personally think that women are beautiful, and shouldnt have to hide that for any reason. well.... just cover up enough to keep ppl from getting in car accidents.

Answer 2

We all know that Tony Lies.

Jackass Straw will being puting out a Law to say that all women that come into his MP surgery must strip off to prove that they are not cross dressing terrorists. I think he's just a perv on the make.

Seriosly this is a country that prides itself on Freedom of expression, Freedom of speech and religious tolerance, let them choose.

Answer 3

Absolutely, I don't like this idea that women are only modest if they are completely covered up with just the eyes showing. Western women have fought for equal rights with limited success, and Islamic rules about women not being modest if they have their eyes or hair showing are not going to go down well in the west. Somehow I feel I'm being judged as a sl*t even though I am usually quite conservatively dressed by western standards. Not showing your face is not only a blatant sign of fervent adherence to the religion, not a good idea in light of the recent terrorist acts, but also very anti-social in that people expect to be able to see your face. It is a barrier to communication and a clear sign of not wanting to integrate. I suspect a lot of these women are aware of this, and are not wearing the veil because they are made to but because they are pig-headed and want to snub western women. I don't believe they would approve if the man calling to read their gas or electricity meter had his face covered. If I was on Islamabad High Street I wouldn't have my t*ts hanging out or roll about drunk, and so I expect Muslim women to show some respect for our ways too.

Answer 4

I firmly believe that to integrate fully with us these women need to leave their faces uncovered. We are a sociable nation and like to chat to our neighbours - how can you do that when the face is hidden? How can you exchange smiles in the street or when queueing in the supermarket?
They also need to learn and speak English.
Also, it has been stated quite categorically by Muslim intellectuals that the Koran does not insist upon the niqab or full veil, so why do they persist in this unnatural dress? I think it is pressure from the men who have all the rights and privileges in their culture, the women are totally oppressed - which goes against the grain in our liberated society. When Europeans go to Muslim countries we respect their culture - they should respect ours and try to integrate. Women going around covered completely in black are unnerving and frightening to our children.
Who knows who or what is under that all enveloping niqab?

Answer 5

You think the government has the right to tell people how to dress? (Except for public exposure laws, which are a different matter.)

This is just plain wrong, wrong, wrong.

Women who prefer the veil should not be harassed for that choice. My understanding of these women is that they don't want to be ogled by strange men -- whistling, leering, making lewd comments, etc.

Few women do like these behaviors, but put up with them anyway. For those women who like the veil, they should be allowed to wear it and be left alone.

(Of course, I think the same thing should apply to women who don't want to wear it -- they shouldn't be forced, as now happens in the New and Improved Free Iraq.)

Answer 6

It is not a religious requirement, it's purely a personal and cultural preference. If they wish to live in the UK and certainly if they wish citizenship they should be respecting the cultural values of their host country as we would be expected to do on visiting an Islamic country. It is a negative barrier to any kind of integration as is the lack of effort in learning the language. To be fair I blame the latter on local councils who insist (at tax payers expense) on translating all their leaflets etc. into every imaginable language taking away any need to learn it.

Answer 7

Yes. You need to respect the local custom. In western societies where people are wary of terrorist, you don't know what is hiding behind the clothing. Also, CCTV is no good if everybody is covered from head to toe.

When they go through customs, are they asked to remove the veil else how would they know the passport belongs to the traveller if they're covered up?

Answer 8

In Britain people have the freedom to do as they choose without any external interference. Therefore, any British citizen can wear what they please, including wearing the veil if they choose to do so. In Britain the 'Romans' choose how they wish to live their lives so why should this be any different for anyone else?

Answer 9

Britain is cherished for its free speech = but it is now being abused. Successful multi racial and multi cultural societies depend upon integration and the firm acceptance of what it is to be BRITISH - whether that be a christian, muslim, buddist, sikh, or whatever. The veil is a political statement, and represses integration. We value our multi cultural identity,.

Answer 10

Definetly-well while they are living in this country!They should take the veils off as it is not part of our culture. If we went to live in their country we would be made to wear one, and I think we should stand up for ourselves and say it is time to integrate more. They should also be made to speak English at all times. It's common decency.

Answer 11

Yes ,Without doubt , the Muslim fraternity are giving us a two fingered salute , going about in "Disguise" it is not acceptable for them to present themselves with faces Hidden from the public , but this is only part of their adgenda to infiltrate and change our culture beyond recognition . "Freedom" has long been practised in Great Britain for all . but the Muslim way is not , as we all know, for Freedom but of Oppression and "Our Way or No Way" is their only way. They are desperately trying to enforce it upon us. It is now very very urgent that this creeping cancer is stopped NOW soon Great Britain as we Know it will be no more.