Does anyone else not have a problem with Muslim women wearing niqabs (veils) in England?

Question

This issue seems to be in the news a lot recently. I personally think that it's ridiculous that women are facing the sack over wearing one.

Answer 1

There are dress codes in schools and in work places. There are prohibitions against wearing items displaying religion or politics in some places. A drivers license picture can not be with the veil. Neither can you wear a cardboard box over your head in these situations. Why should anything Muslim be exempt from the same?

In political correctness there is no right or wrong as a society. That is essentially the same as anarchy. If it doesn't hurt you then you don't have an interest in it? Some stranger is hurt it doesn't matter then. How about some acquaintance - still doesn't matter? Maybe a neighbor? - nah just glad it was next door and not yours I take it. When do you start to care? When you feel the knife in your back?

The supposedly so concerned and humane liberals put on a the face but it masks their apathy and self centered reality. Real concern has substance in actions to protect. Those protections require some personal limits. That is what keeps a real society functional.

Answer 2

I think that common sense needs to be used by all sides in this matter.
Bearing in mind that facial expression and body language make up over 50% of communication, they are very important to children who are not adept at picking up implied meanings or have a vast range of vocabulary. They need to see the whole face to understand meanings sometimes. (Think about how many times you do not hear someone until you are looking at the face? How many short sighted people are also hard of hearing?) In circumstances where a person is dealing with people with limited understanding whether through health or age they should maximise understanding by ensuring the face is fully visible. This also includes people wearing scarfs over the face or low fitting hats.
Would a women wearing a niqab also claim discrimination of she were barred from working in a school for deaf people?
Where someone is prevented by religion or any other reason for being able to provide this important and natural communication tool, I would suggest they work in a sector where vision is not so important.

Answer 3

As we are looking at a work place based question, I feel the answer is so long as it does not interfere with your job then you should be allowed to wear what you want. There are many questions raised over Health and Safety but again as long it is safe to do so then do it.

Where people with veils come into contact with the public, it should however be remembered that in the UK we are not always used to dealing with people wearing a veil. Communication with the entire face is very important to the UK Population in the vast majority. Wearing a veil can stop the other party see he various expressions made by the wearer and be unsure of the sentiments behind the words.

Answer 4

Anything that obstructs the face should be disallowed, not only does this restrict ones basic means of identification but also inhibits communication.

What happens when someone wearing a veil is working in a classroom where there is a deaf child? How are the deaf child's rights being being addressed? How are they supposed to lip read?!

It is also a hypocritical double standard to prevent people from wearing hoodies and baseball caps etc, claiming that they prevent the person wearing them to be identified and then allow Muslim women to wear a veil and for this to be considered acceptable.

Religious attire should either be restricted to the home or place of worship, or should be concealable and inconspicuous - as in the case of anyone who wears a cross. Either the rules should be equally and consistently applied or don't have any at all.

Allowing members of any one religion to have more rights than those of another is inherently wrong - either all things are equal or they are not - which is it?

Answer 5

Hi Fidget - good question. I think that the issue has to be seen from several sides.

Firstly, veils and burkas are religious and cultural symbols, not fashoin statements. These are not like hoodies or caps where people wear them to not be recognised, they are worn in respect of beliefs so the women who chose to wear them should not just be told to wear something else, I think is is disrespectful.

However, we can also see it from the point of view that if you are wearing a burka or veil, your ability to communicate is SLIGHTLY diminished. Your voice will be slightly muffled, plus a lot of the English language is based on expressions COUPLED with actual words. How many times have you been speaking to someone and theyve said something accompanied by a facial expression? Without this facility, commuincation is not as easy as if your face was 'naked'.

The only time (from current news stories) Ive agreed with a burka not being worn is the case of the classroom assistant. I think that children need to be able to have the opportunity to study a teachers face in order to assist their understanding of whats being said. Especially at the school in question where most od the children did not speak English.

Phew, I didnt realise I had such a strong opinion on this but there you go! Hope this has been useful / informative. Happy Thursday! Bxx

Answer 6

Jack Straw NEVER actually TOLD his constituents to take the veil off. He simply ASKED them if they wouldn't mind, and most of them were happy and relieved to.

I'm with Straw. I'd rather see the face of the person Im talking to.

...and by the way, it is nothing like wearing a Turban or a cap or a head scalf. It is to do with viewing the face of the person you are speaking to. Not the hair!!

Well Done Jack Straw - shame it's the only thing you've done right since being in Government. Apart from supporting Blackburn Rovers.

Answer 7

The veils issue is in the news because government ministers want to distract everyone from the internal divisions in the Labour Party. It is a red herring issue.

But to answer your question: If Britain is a free country then people should be able to practice their religious beliefs without fear of persecution and people should be able to wear what they want.

If muslim women do not want to wear veils then only they can liberate themselves by refusing to wear them. Freedom comes from within. It cannot be imposed.

Answer 8

I have absolutely no problem with those Muslim ladies wearing niqabs, its a choice they are entitled to make themselves and no one has the right to decide otherwise, they have been wearing them for a long, long time in this country and it has never been a problem before, what right has Jack Straw got to be so rude and cause such outrage when he has sat facing these ladies for many a year without a problem, its their choice and should stay that way too.

Answer 9

Muslim women have been wearing the veil for decades in the UK.I wonder why it has suddenly become a big issue now.I reckon it's just anti-Muslim propaganda,are the Government & their Media cronies trying to connect veil-wearing Muslim women to suicide bombings?This whole issue is a disgrace to a country which is world-renowned for it's tolerance.

Answer 10

Personally I have no problem with anyone expressing their religious belief whether it is through jewellery or clothing. The only problem I have with the veil is when the wearer is driving a car whilst wearing an item of clothing which could restrict their vision.