Whats the problem with asking muslim women not to wear the veil?

Question

Whats all the fuss about asking muslim women not to wear the veil in England.. if a western woman goes to their country they respect their customs and wear a headscarf dont they, so it should be reciprocated to be fair.

Answer 1

Once and for all wearing the veil is NOT and I repeat NOT a required religious observation for women of Islam. It has become a statement and an icon of difference promoted by half witted liberal politics.

People are completely absorbed in their rights, they have a right to be insulted, outraged, offended and to demonstrate their otherness. To move to another country and demand a subjugation of that countries culture in order to promote ones own is barmy, but not as barmy as allowing it to happen.

We all know that what is happening is wrong, that we have allowed a complete generation of young Asian people to develop to a point where they can hardly construct a sentence but still demand their rights.

Well I have a right, more than one actually, to live in my country, enjoy warm beer and cricket and to regard all the signs of Christianity that I care for to be protected by my government and not to be dragged into some medieval, half understood, illiterate pursuit of a belief system that arose some time after Christ.

I am fed up with being told that we have to assimilate. I don't want to, I want immigrants whom I welcome, to assimilate with me.

Answer 2

I don't think asking Muslim women not to wear a veil is a problem, as it's a question not a demand.

Some Muslim women don't wear it as it's more to do with culture than the religion.

Can I just ask, if anyone would feel comfortable talking to a counsellor/ complementary therapist or being examined by a doctor who wears a veil?

Answer 3

Read Applebetty34's answer. It is pretty close to most complete and accurate.

The headscarf is not a religious symbol like a cross or a Star of David. And it is not a "uniform" to say "I am Muslim". It is just fashion. It is just Islam women are told to wear for modesty's sake. Modesty is highly valued in Muslim society. (And I think the basis is the men didn't want women's beauty to be a temptation to all the men they meet at work or on the street. That is why they don't need to wear when they are in their own homes.) To ask them to take it off would be like asking a western woman to go to work in a bikini. Very uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Wearing a "hijab" in a western country does not show any disrespect to anyone. And they do not mean any disrespect when they do it. It isn't offensive like some of the t-shirts young people wear today. It doesn't violate decency codes. It does not put other people down. They aren't an eyesore. (Some of the fabrics used are quite lovely.) What is there to take offense of?

It isn't at all like someone wearing red to a funeral or shorts and flip flops to a nice wedding.

In the western world where there are no religious restrictions you can wear what you want. Just because a Muslim woman chooses not to exercise that right is her business.

I guess someone has already told you it was wrong to ask Muslim women not to wear their veil???

Good day.

Answer 4

For a women to wear a headscarf in a muslim environment shows that she has respect for Islam. However, for someone to ask a muslim lady to take off her scarf/veil shows that they do NOT have respect for Islam. It is fair to respect all religions, that is the reason it is a problem. Nobody has a problem with nuns covering their bodies, so why is everyone so sensitive when a Muslim woman does it?

Answer 5

when a "western" woman goes to an islamic country she wears a scarf cos she understands the respect a woman achieves whilst wearing this singular garment. Same applies to women in veils would you ask anyone to disregard their own self respect i think not.....and why oppose veils now nearly every guy read his vows to a woman in a veil on his wedding day..........i think the separation due to veils seems only to have started when they were asked to remove them was never an issue for the past 25 years of my life.....and if ever there was it was due to a racial insult. So really the answer to your question is there is nothing wrong with asking a woman to remove her veil as long as she always has the choice to tell you NO!!!!!

Answer 6

I agree with the point of your question. If I went to a Muslim country, I would wear a scarf (even though I wouldn't necessarily enjoy having to do this). Muslim women should respect our traditions and culture of equality for women by not wearing a scarf.

My question: Why did these women leave a country where all women must wear head scarves, only to go to a free country and continue to wear the scarves? Unless their husbands and male relatives make them do it? I don't understand.

Answer 7

Learn to understand and accept culture my friend. Culture simply means a way of life. This is a very simple definition, but it is true to the core. Our culture dictates what we believe and don't believe. Understanding the precise meaning of the term is difficult. Because you would have to understand the social history of people if you want to study about a culture.

Religion is another form of culture. Of course every religion has a set of beliefs and values that supported a generation long ago. You might argue that they are not what is required of the modern world/civilization. This perspective is also partly because you are a part of that "modern" culture that has given you such ideas. There is no point in arguing whether this is good or bad! It is just the way how life is... The thing is if you tried to change some aspect of this culture all of a sudden, then not all can survive the change. I'll leave you to figure this out on your own! This is something important to think about, especially if you are referring to the whole Islamic culture.

Not only Islamic culture, think of the American culture or the Indian culture. All these cultures have their positive and negatives. Understanding them is good.

Answer 8

I just wish that people would get it right, wearing the veil IS NOT A RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENT ACCORDING TO ISLAM. It is a remnant of the nomadic people in the desert regions. These Muslim women wearing the veil are making a statement of their culture. If they want to integrate into our society they should respect our ways and traditions of being a Christian country as we have to respect their country when we visit them. They are just alienating themselves and causing resentment towards themselves from people in this country.

Answer 9

Was in an accessory shop looking at some hair clips and a woman was wearing full head gear (burka)? was leaning over me....I completely ignored the way she reached across me......otherwise I'd have made a comment on what was nice, but it felt she was blatant and making a point....she kept looking at me! It also was a fashion statement as it was red and black, in your face and felt she wanted the attention!!!!! Weren't gonna give her the satisfaction though.....so totally ignored her...... she was not worthy of my attention, but with 98% of her body covered up, what the fook does she want with pretty hair clips?!?

Answer 10

Because we are a free country. We are also loosing the British identity. If people of an Islamic background want to live in Britain, then they should respect our ways and try to fit in. The full face Vail is a choice, it is not demanded by their religion!

When you go to the middle east you have to respect their ways and dress codes, why shouldn't the same apply to them when they come here?

My little boy thinks that Meadowhall Shopping Centre is full of Ninjas.

These people have no interest in integration, they want to set up their own mini communities and shut us out. If that is the case then why are they here?

I know this makes me sound racist, I truly try not to sound this way and try to respect everyone's freedom of choice. But when people refuse to fit in it is asking for trouble. The Muslim issue is reaching boiling point and matters are made much worse by simple minded British Airways bosses who banned a woman from wearing OUR dominant religious symbol the crucifix, in case it offended our Muslim cousins. And just to show how stupid this is all getting, A local council in west Yorkshire cancelled the Santa's grotto last year because it was deemed offencive to Muslims!

This has got to stop before it all comes crashing down around our ears. Wake up people and start using common sense. It's time to fit in or leave.