How do you feel about the continuing debate about Muslim women wearing veils? Do you think it is acceptable?

Question

I live in an area where there are a lot of different ethnic groups, and have pretty much grown up with Muslims.

Answer 1

if a western woman goes to a muslim country she must conform with local dress code.
so...
if a muslim woman goes to a western country she must conform with local dress code.

no debate.

Answer 2

I don't know why all Muslims have decided that people are against them, if they don't agree with veils. It is a well known fact that veils are nothing to do with religion (something Muslims have admitted) and yet they have turned this into a racial thing when it's not.

I agree that it is extremely difficult to commuicate with a veiled woman, humans rely on sight so much and communicate best with people by reading their emotions, which are displayed on the face. I have never had a conversation with a veiled woman, but would probably be intimidated, because I wouldn't know who I'm speaking to.

There are so many problems with veil wearing; not only things like having to ask women to remove them when going through passport control (this by the way is a HUGE problem, as airport staff may not ask, because they feel they may be being offensive). For example a man could steal a woman's credit card and don a veil and go into a shop and use it. The shop assistants wouldn't have a clue whether they were serving a man or a woman and the person would get away with it, and they wouldn't have if it hadn't been for the veil.

I'm not saying this is common, I don't know. But I've also heard that some Muslim men beat their wives and know they can get away with it because no one will see the cuts and bruises because their wives are hidden by the veil.

I know that many Muslim women may argue that the veil gives them dignity, but I can not understand this at all. If you don't want to expose your legs and wear low cut tops, by all means do so, but what does covering your face have anything to do with?

The veil is a very old fashioned tradition and I definately believe that it is degrading to women. Like they are too ugly to be seen or that they are their husbands possessions and should only be seen by their owners. This is a free country, a woman should be able to show her face to who she likes.

I know a lot of people will probably argue against what I have just said, but I believe I have made some very valid points.

Answer 3

Several things:

1) You cannot question someone's religion or their beliefs. It is something they feel passionately about and it's something that helps them to order their lives in the way they wish.

2) However, when living in a society, there has to be some kind of give and take in a situation. For example, a Naturist would normally wear clothes when walking down Oxford Street as this is the accepted norm. There will always be "anarchists" who want to look different (yet ironically, identical to one another) but these are an exception.

3) Look at the laws in the country. Even couriers need to remove their masks when delivering parcels or speaking to someone face.

4) However, I have worked in a predominantly Muslim area and much of the female population chose variations on the Hajib, all the way down the scale to the veiled eyes. For a face to face conversation in a closed room with no men around, they were happy to remove the veils.

MY MAIN POINT:
Veils are acceptable in the right circumstances. However, you need to make some allowances for certain situations as some may take offence at the lack of visual contact. In the same way that we would remove our shoes when entering a temple out of respect, there would have to be give and take somewhere else. Otherwise, leave them free to respect their own religious beliefs, let the Orthodox Jews wear their big hats, let the Buddhists run up and down Oxford Street with their tambors, let the Christians have their fishes on their cars. Until someone tries to commit a crime under the guise of a Muslim headdress, everyone's fine.

Answer 4

I think there is nothing wrong with Muslim women wearing a hijab. It is required in Islam, as is not different than the Orthodox Jewish women covering their hair with a scarf, hat, or wig, and the Christian women who do likewise. But, the face veil is not a religion requirement. It is a cultural thing of some Muslim areas. When people move to a different culture, they need to compromise and adjust to their new culture. It does take some give and take. And, I think covering the face is not right in these new cultures. It puts too much stress on the people who are not use to it.

Answer 5

For the most part I do not see a womans decision to wear a veil as being any of our bussiness. For me, if I see a woman wearing a veil and have a reaction to her because of it, that is my problem, not hers.

Having said that, there is a point of give and take here, if that same woman were to take a job which is reliant on her communicating with others then I feel it is important that she does not wear the veil while in that role due to the degree of communication that is expressed via facial expressions.

To give this topical context: the woman who wore the veil while teaching school children, I believe, should have relaxed her views such that when working with the children she does not wear the veil. This is due to the issue of communication within a profession taht clearly relies heavily on clear, effective communication with the children. Outside of that role, say even when within the staff room, then I see no reason why she should not be allowed to wear her veil.

As I say, give and take

Answer 6

I think the debate is acceptable.
Let us say that there was a religion that believed all its followers must carry swords. Would a debate about the appropriateness of that in a public space be acceptable? I think so. Some view a hidden face as potentially threatening as well.
Additionally, some believe that a hidden face is a mark of being different, an outsider, of not wanting to be a part of the larger group...

Answer 7

It depends on how the women feel about their veils. If they're alright with it because it's their religion, then it's fine. But if they do it just because men in their society say they have to, then it sucks. I'm a Catholic and I'm not supposed to be gay. Oops. Oh well. That's my business. If anyone forced me into being with a man because my religion says I can't be with a girl, then I would probably rather die. I guess my point is, let people practice their religions how they wish. They shouldn't be forced.

Answer 8

I think the veil has its place but not in westernised communities. In the current climate it just exacerbates the tension. Why do we in Britain always have to give in to everyone else's demands in our country. I'm fed up with other communities not being flexible and meeting us half way. I would find it reasonable if they removed it when in contact at work or in a communication scenario as sugested by Jack Straw. No reason to expect them to take it off completely however.

Answer 9

I have a cross that I never take off, if I would be asked to do so then I would not have a problem with that, is religion worth an argument, obviously or is it just that Muslim's feel that they are being targeted.

How many crusifictions do we see, how many Innocent people die at the hands of radicals (muslim)

Answer 10

I have no problem with people practicing whatever religious rituals they want in the privacy of their own homes. But I am suspicious of anyone who feels the need to hide their face away behind a veil. I'm sorry but in this day and age of religious tolerance such expressions are vulgar.

Answer 11

Muslim women should be able to wear what they want.

It is not true that western woman are "made" to wear traditional clothes if they travel to a muslim country. There are simply situations where it is asked of them but thats all.
It suprises me on how ill-informed some western people are.