Western Culture and the Islamic Veil?

Question

I'm western and to be honest I hate to see women wearing the veil.

To me this is why: Face to face communication is part of our culture and is important to us westerners. Its linked with honesty, openness and being able to communicate effectively. In contrast, covering the face signifies duplicity, deceit and the like. Theives and robbers cover their faces.

If you are ill, worried and being treated by a doctor explaining what is wrong with you and how you are to be treated, you surely want to see her face, to take comfort from a smile or a reassuring expression, to see the sincerity on her features. How can you do this through a piece of black cloth?

I would hate to be treated by a veiled doctor, have my child taught by a veiled teacher or plead my case to a veiled judge. I couldn't do it. Same as covering their face is part of their culture, face to face communication is part of mine.

Does anyone else feel this way about this issue?

Answer 1

Most certainly do.

If they want to live here and integrate properly, they have to give some of their ways up.

Apparently it does not say they have to wear all that stuff in the Qu'aran, it's just their misinterpretation of it..

Answer 2

I would like to think that I am open minded about the Islamic veil. However, I think that a teacher wearing it in schools and places that require facial interaction, is definitely a No, No.

Children may feel alienated by the barrier of a teacher wearing the veil. Children interact with facial expression and will take comfort in a smile when in an environment such as school.

I cannot understand why someone would want to wear the veil whilst talking to someone. In my opinion it is bad manners. And gives out a signal that 'This is my space and you are not allowed here'. In other words separation.

I think that in the UK we are tolerant and very receptive to the needs of those to who follow the tradition of his or hers own faith. However, Islamics must respect the ways of the country they live in and not impose their own ideals on the majority.

Many Islamic women agree that the veil is being used as an excuse for some Islamic women to exert their feminism

A place for everything and everything in it's place,

Answer 3

Personally, I suspect that many children might well be terrified by something (possibly a ghoulie or ghostie, or even long leggity beastie) in an all enveloping cloak. The idea is to gain their trust, not frighten the life out of them.

In addition, it implies that the inhabitant is a member of a backward superstitious cult and, from my point of view, shouldn't be allowed to teach anybody, or even have any access to children. I expect my children to grow up realising that these types of clothing are unEnglish and primitive. So, were I to find out that there was a teacher like this in the school, I would withdraw my chilren from ANY class where the person was present, even if it meant changing school or home tuition.

As for the doctor, I certainly wouldn't go to anybody who was ashamed to be seen in public, however, I wouldn't want to be treated by somebody who was superstitious anyway, no matter what they're wearing.

Answer 4

In Britain, centuries ago women did cover their hair. May be out of respect or cleanliness or religious reason. Then hat came into fashion. Now we all free to dress the way we like. In male dominating Muslim world women had to cover their face. It is not necessary anymore. They can still wear respectable cloths without covering top to toes. Some are finding it difficult to breath when their nose and mouth are covered. I have seen women pull their veil down so they can breath better. Also I have seen in McDonald a lady who was wearing a veil just her eyes were showing.The moment she sat down to eat she put the veil above her head. There were men and women sitting round her. She did not worry who looked at her face. So I believe it is about time Muslim women to go easy with their cloth.

Answer 5

Please let me clear something up here.

The veil or 'hijab' does not cover the face. It covers the hair, neck and often times the chest. Most Muslim women wear the hijab because it is a requirement of the religion. However, the 'niqab' or 'burka' is the material that covers all of the above, including the face which is NOT a requirement of Islam. The Qur'an did not say a woman's face and hands must be covered. It is a man-made tradition.

I completely understand your concern regarding the niqab/burka, but please don't confuse it with the veil as they are not one and the same. Thanks :)

I'm a Muslim myself but I have to admit I do not meet a lot of Muslim women who actually wear the niqab/burka. It is quite an intimidating look in my opinion, especially in the West where it is not a common way of dressing. However in the Muslim countries, it's still not common but less strange to see a woman dressed in that manner. However, these women do it for personal reasons. Some do it to not attract attention to their face and theirself, it works in Muslim countries but this actually backfires in Western countries. So that's something they really should think about.

Answer 6

the veil or any other thing women are forced to wear in other countries should not happen in england or any other country,it is about time that all women throughout the world shook off the chains of oppression,like emily pankhurst who fought for votes for women,islamic women should fight to gain equality and have equal rights after all the species could not exist without the Female.

Answer 7

agree completely. as an englishman the I.R.A had similar 'head dress'. When i see people in iraq they choose to wear similar head dress usually when riots are going off, men and women. Same on the tv - riots in european cities over summits about the enviroment. Fact is when i'm in blighty i don't want to walk past it when i'm buying a pair of trousers in a high street. Its b+llsh+t.

Answer 8

I googled that Reuters poll and couldn't find links to anything other than people posting it to message-boards. I couldn't find a link to Reuters itself or another credible news organization reporting this Do you happen to have the link to the actual poll before I go ahead and comment?

Answer 9

Islamic "values" are incompatible with Western values. The veil is a symbol of oppression, far more blatant than any vestiges that survive in our culture.

I refuse to do business with any Muslim.

Answer 10

I agree. They should be allowed to cover their arms and legs, but that is as far as it should go.