Unveiling of Muslins - Better for integration or just bad PR?

Question

After Jack Straw and Gordon Brown commented that they preferred Muslim women to unveil when talking to them a news reports suggests that some universities may follow suit and ban veils from their campuses. Is this a genuine attempt to break down cultural barriers? If the Muslim world had not had such a bad image in the western world would wearing veils still be an issue?

Answer 1

Regardless of the bad press the Muslim Community is getting at the moment I find The Veil and the Big Black Coats Muslim ladies wear intimidating...anyone could be under these garbs...let be honest we are all nervous about suicide bombers etc in light of recent events...and rightly so, these all hiding garments alarm us.

Answer 2

I'm not sure-- partly because, if religious freedom is championed, then when does the cultural line cross the 'norm' of standards acceptable in society? If the veils are on due to religious beliefs I think we should respect that however; it does make me a little uncomfortable but only because I'm not used to it. There was a bunch of cab drivers in Minneapolis/St. Paul that wanted the local gov't. to create a law stating that they did not have to take customers carrying alcohol because it was against their religion. So when does it go too far? Breaking down cultural barriers can only be accomplished if both sides accept the differences but if those differences cause inconvenience or veils scare little children, then those barriers may never be able to be broken.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/709262.html

Have a great day and an excellent question!

Answer 3

surely a ban on veils, such as in places of education like in france, would only enflame tensions even more. And in the interests of fairness, would we then have to ban all crosses, menorahs and other religious symbols?
In a free society, there must be compromise. People who immigrate from afghanistan for example cannot (and should not) be forced to give up all of their traditions and customs, but neither can they expect to come to a different country and live completely unaltered. Why doesn't Jack Straw put a sign up to say he prefers people to remove veils, which would give them a choice. Surely persuasion is better than force.
it makes me laugh when you hear all the english people say that immigrants should be made to conform with the british way of life but then go abroad to places like spain and then keep talking english, and go eat a full english breakfast at the local pub run by an ex pat.
Come on people, there is enough love in the world without the need for such hate.

Answer 4

I feel sorry for them and would like to pass the time of day when I see them, especially when I have said good morning to someone while in their presence.
However that veil tells me to turn my head and most certainly not to speak. I keep telling myself not do it, but I do.
For me a veil demands respect and chatting to someone in a veil is out of place and wrong in my upbringing.
The veil unnecessarily isolates the wearer.

Muslim people do not have a bad image for me but the clerics who motivate the vulnerable do.
Its also like this for me with orthodox Jews.
I laugh and joke with regular Jews but dressed up in their uniform the orthodox few really turn me off.

Answer 5

There has to be a degree of sensitivity on this issue but lots of information is given out by facial expression so, unveiling, where the woman is happy to do so can only help understanding.

Answer 6

what jack said was right, its just the media twist everything and made it look like he was attacking the way muslim women dress.
he basically said he would ASK them to remove their veil for purposes of the conversation, if they decided not to he didn't kick them out or refuse to speak to them.
if they decide to wear the veil then fair enough, its (sometimes) their choice, but it does hinder relations between cultures, this was proved by 93% of people who took part in a survey understood or agreed with jack, and yes muslim women did take part in the poll.

Answer 7

Any one as ugly as Jack Straw should be forced to wear a veil, And in his case a gag!! The man is a creep, beats me how anyone could take him seriously ever!!

Answer 8

Veils developed in Arabia
coz there were no Hair-dressing Salons
and it stopped the spreading of Lice...

Such excuses are not valid in the civilized
World.....

Answer 9

When we visit muslim countries we are expected tor espect their customs and ways of life. Why is it in the u.k that we disrespect our own values and ways of life so as not to upset people who wish to come and live here. I am sick of hearing we are racist that the union jack is racist that we should be careful what we say in case someone is offended. We should be proud of who we are our flag and our nationality. Anyboby who wants to live here should live as we do respect our values or live somewhere else.

Also just a thought if the Muslim world isas peacefulas the majority wish us to think why is it that nowadays everyone has to be so careful not to offend them in case ofreprisals, usually extreme. Any one remember the demo in london, plackards threatening death for non beleivers. What other religion reacts this way in the modern world. I am not against muslimsas a whole but theres to many radicals and to much support for them.

Answer 10

When ever Brits go abroad they do not adhere to the local customs but set up enclaves of "the British Way of Life" why can't people of other cultures do the same here.

I would object to an AK47 on British streets but a 6" piece of cotton, I'm man enough not to get scared of that, Shaw must be more in touch with his feminine side.