Suspended for wearing a veil?

Question

Read link below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/6046992.stm

As to what end to we continue to punish and yet support religous freedom? At what point does this cycle stop and common sense prevail?

Opinions?

Answer 1

Peace,

I find it interesting that a society that celebrates ‘a woman’s right to choose’ finds the limits of its tolerance in a woman’s desire to show her piety through the wearing of the veil. We see in the news reports of women who wear the veil being subjected to physical intimidation. We read reports of men literally pulling their headscarves and veils off and handing out verbal abuse. Truly, we are an enlightened civilization.

Is this how we teach our children tolerance? Viva la difference and now let us crush it.

Answer 2

Well I think the woman was just being silly and deserved what she got. Noone sticks up for equal rights for Muslim people more than I do but the veil is about modesty and has to be worn in public and where there are men about except for husband, father, brothers and so on.

The presence of small children would not require a woman to wear the veil so she could easily have removed it in the classroom, provided there were no strange men present. Any Muslims here please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think this woman was just not acting in good faith and it is people like her who really do their fellow adherents of their faith a huge disservice by making them look ridiculous and giving the bigots ammunition.

Answer 3

The world has gone completely mad!!
Of course this teacher should remove her veil during classes so that she can be heard properly, supposing there was a pupil who is hard of hearing and relies on a certain amount of lip reading?
I also read in the newspaper yesterday that a Muslim pharmacist refused a woman the morning after contraceptive pill as it was against his religion, if he can't do this because of his beliefs then get a job that doesn't go against them, what next, a Jehovah's witness doctor who won't advise a blood transfusion because it goes against Jehovah?? People who like to wear a cross around their necks are being told to stop wearing them!!! come on folks we all have to live on this planet...can't we try to get along and try to have a bit of common sense along the way, there has to be a bit of give and take on both sides don't you think?

Answer 4

When is anyone going to speak plainly about this issue? If immigrants do not like the prevailing customs and law in the country of their choice, not birth, THEN DON'T COME HERE!. We want children to grow up healthily in mind and body and to ask them to respect someone who feels it is modest to hide their face is incomprehensible. The veil is for the muslim man's benefit, so that he can 'possess' that particular female, whatever other excuse is madeto the contrary. Would we expect to have the customs in their country overturned if we decided we fancied our chances in their country? All these idealists, get real! Engage in the REAl world instead of chasing P.C.

Answer 5

I think the school was right, as long as the children cannot understand what she was saying then she should not wear the veil, it is not obligatory in Islam after all and showing her face in front of small children isn't a sin, so her head scarf is enough in this case.

Answer 6

What I don't understand is if muslims love their religion so much why do they immigrate to a western country?Why not Saudi Arabia? Shouldn't people be willing to make sacrifices for their beliefs?I would never go to Saudi Arabia now that I know that crosses are banned there .

Answer 7

I'm Muslim and the veil is not Islamic. What do women feel they need to cover their entire face. I think it was sincerely difficult for the children to learn if the teacher covered up her face. Its kind of scary. Again, the veil was invented post-post-post Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) , Aisha bint Abu Bakr and Khajiah didn't wear veils.

Answer 8

I think the school was right. How can she possibly teach English to children if they can't understand what she is saying? And its not like a veil is actually a religious requirement, most muslim women suffice with a hijab at work

Answer 9

I'm a libertarian to the end. If they are not harming anyone who am I to judge. If students can't understand you and its your job to teach. Take the burka off or get a new job.
Hell, most women I know think I'm much more attractive with a sack over my head. ( They say strong alcohol and a dark room helps as well.)

Answer 10

one of my boys is 80 percent deaf, but he can read lips. and he has been mainstreamed into normal classes quite easily because he took the time to learn lip reading.

a teacher is supposed to teach and if something is preventing her from teaching then she has to go. if the kids could not hear her or understand her because of the viel she should have made other arrangements.