Do you think that muslim women should be allowed to?

Question

wear their veils in the UK (completely cover their face or not? And why?

Answer 1

Yes - it doesn't hurt me and it is important to them. I don't want anyone telling me what I can do, how I am supposed to worship, what I should believe. I don't tell other people how to lead thier lives. Aslong as it doesn't hurt anyone, then I have no problem - its none of my buisness.

Answer 2

I think this question raises many sensitive topics, one where all opinion must be taken into account. My personal view is that people should be allowed to express their personal religion if of their own choice. It is a symbol of personal identidy and belong, and a commitment to faith and belief.

I think it is wrong that all items should be 'banned', in the hope not to offend over cultures, for example with the recent BA story. I would personally be deeply offended if I were told I could not wear a cross for example.

However, and most importantly, I feel the veil is a slightly different case. I feel the veil does indeed act as a social barrier between different cultures, and the intergration of these are greatly reduced. A symbol maybe, but also much more than this. Much communication is dependant on facial expression, and to many the veil acts as a physical barrier. I know persoanlly if I was lost and I needed directions, I would find it very hard to approach a person wearing a veil. Not because they were muslim or anything like that, just because of that facial barrier. I may even feel slightly intimidated. I cannot explain why, but it would be a natural reaction.

I do not see the reason for a full facial covering, which is maybe ignorance, i dont know, but surely would not over forms of muslim dress that do not cover the whole face benefit our whole and great multicutural society.

Answer 3

If I was to wear a balaclava next time I popped down the high street I think a lot of people would be intimidated and I'm not even sure my bank would let me in unless I took it off.
It's exactly the same for veils, it's impolite and anti-social. Of course that's the point, as it was a method of trying to keep women from going out and having lives, in a similar way to how there used to be men in this country who wanted their wives to stay at home all day and just look after them. Luckily in this country there have been changes in that department so it isn't acceptable to try to subjugate women thus, but that hasn't as yet happened in most Muslim countries, and when people move here they take the sexist elements of the culture with them. In my opinion getting rid of the veil would prevent a lot of the subjugation.

Now, I think that, if you come to a country to live and receive the benefits of living in a country, you shouldn't do things which are considered anti-social or intimidating in said country, just out of politeness. That's not to say one shouldn't show their own culture, but they should also adapt to the culture of the country in which they're staying.
Would Muslims find it acceptable for an Englishwoman to go to a Muslim country and wear sexually provocative clothing in the street? I really doubt it, and with good reason as it contrasts with the local culture and values. In the same way so does wearing the veil here contrast with culture and values.
Another effect of the veil is that it practically imposes segregation. It's a wall that shuts of wearers from the rest of the non-veil wearing world. I thing we should be trying to promote integration rather than ending up with black or Indian suburbs, and the veil doesn't help these matters. That's also the reason I think the veil helps subjugation, it shuts women off from the rest of the world and takes something away from their freedom.

Answer 4

Would I let anyone tell me not to wear a low cut top, or a clingy top, or a short skirt? No. Because what i wear doesnt harm anyone else and if you don't like it, don't look.
It's the same for Muslim women. It is their body and their choice. It doesnt affect me and it isnt my place to decide.

However, where issues like airports are concerned, there should be more checks. Not just for my safety, but also for the women's. They don't want to be on a dangerous plane any more than i do, so its in all our interest that we know who is boarding what. It protects our safety and also takes pressure of muslim women choosing to wear the veil to conform to western dress codes.

Maybe they could carry seperate id of their face uncovered and if they are uncomfortable with men seeing their face, maybe they could go somewhere private?

at the end of the day, we are meant to protect freedom is this country, not enfore our own opinions in a dictatorial censorship of anything or anyone different

Answer 5

1. They have a right to wear what they want.

2. It is extremely rude to completely cover ones face while trying to hold a conversation with someone else.

3. They should expect to suffer the consequences of wearing what they want, eg teacher being suspended, just like we suffer the consequences of what we do in Muslim countries.

4. In certain Muslim countries western women can and sometimes do get imprisoned, raped, tortured, maimed, mutilated or murdered for lesser crimes.

5. Muslims are increasingly becoming hated by a small percentage of western people and they only have themselves to blame because of their stupidity, ignorance, intolerance and double standards.

Answer 6

Okay I find it slightly scary when I see a huge bunch of Muslim walking round with these veils but honestly not every Muslim is a terrorist or out to bully and hate everyone are they? It's part of their religion and they choose to wear it so why discriminate them for that? I see why some people don't like them wearing the veil but it's not their choice to dictate what these women do and do not wear, it's their choice. We wouldn't like it if we were told we couldn't wear our jeans or latest nike clothes so why are we telling them not to wear their veil?

Answer 7

If it suits them, why not? I wouldn't want them driving that way given how much range they might lose. However, they can't expect to be treated with the same and without judgement by everyone as they are choosing to follow a religious practice which doesn't follow mainstream norms. Following social norms is what determines whether or not a person is accepted in society, and because their practice of wearing a full face veil seems extreme to us, they won't be readily accepted by everyone. As an American, I've always believed the UK to be equally, if not more so, tolerant of relgious practices. So legally, let them do it except where wearing it would cause injury to others, like driving. But, on their part, they cannot except to be readily accepted as much as we would like to think this world thrives on tolerance.

Answer 8

Yes, most of the time but they should also respect a person who asks them to remove it if there is an appropriate reason. I don't like having conversations with people wearing sunglasses, the same would apply to someone wearing a veil - it's just a case of manners.

Answer 9

As a woman i have a split decision on this issue although some woman are made to wear the veil because they are of a lower status it is wrong in my view but others wear it out of pride for their culture and religion..if the woman is treated with respect and dignity and wears the veil for her own reasons then i see nothing wrong with it..

Answer 10

I consider it should be mandatory for the face to be visible in areas where security is paramount, banks, official buildings, hospitals and anywhere where face to face communion is sought. I personally loathe the sight of black clad women scuttling about our once free country.
I am suspicious of the motives of the teaching assistant who is now going to pursue her claim for thousands of pounds with taxpayers' money, of course. Who is behind her? It reminds me of the case of the school girl and her claim - all are fuelled by the extremists who are bent on causing as much trouble here as possible.
I have not seen anywhere, any reply to the question of why Mrs Azmi attended her interview without her veil, unless it was that she thought the job would not have been offered otherwise.

Answer 11

i don't think they should be allowed to cover their face. people walking around in balaclavas and crash helmets is not allowed for security reasons. The veil is not religious it's the dress of certain countries of which the UK is not one. Anyone could wear one and do anything and no one would know who they are. I don't care what people wear as long as feel safe ie seeing their faces to identify them should it be necessary!