Should the West banned "niqab" (full face veil) in public?

Question

NYTimes; LONDON, June 16 — Increasingly, Muslim women in Britain take their children to school and run errands covered head to toe in flowing black gowns that allow only a slit for their eyes.

Their appearance, like little else, has unnerved other Britons, testing the limits of tolerance here and fueling the debate over the role of Muslims in British life.

After the July 7 attacks, this is not the time to be antagonizing Britain by presenting Muslims as something sinister,” said Imran Ahmad, the author of “Unimagined,” an autobiography about growing up Muslim in Britain, and the leader of British Muslims for Secular Democracy. “The veil is so steeped in subjugation, I find it so offensive someone would want to create such barriers. It’s retrograde.”

Answer 1

Isn't it time we stood up and just said"We don't do this in Great Britain. No offence intended it is just the way we do things here.If you want to live and integrate with us then...when in Rome."

Answer 2

I am an American. I live in one of the most religiously diverse places in the world. I see Muslims and Hassidic Jews shopping in my grocery stores and bombs do not go off. I see Southern Baptists walking down the aisles NOT buying liquor next to Roman Catholics and Episcopalians who are. No one is shouting or protesting. I've coached a Muslim volleyball player wearing head to toe "Under Armor" leggings and shirt and head covering and not one person complained. I am tolerant of many different ideas and beliefs as long as you are tolerant of mine. The ideals of my country are something I hold dear. They are being tested in this day and age something fierce, but we are holding strong.

But no matter what our religion, we cannot go into a bank and wear sunglasses, a hood, a mask or head covering of any kind. We all comply and no one is offended and thinks the government is discriminating against any one religion or sect. At the airport, I have never once seen anyone arguing against this either. Although I am sure it does happen on occasion, I am not aware of one instance myself or reported in the media.

I think a country should use common sense when making any permanent changes to its policy--if you curtail basic freedoms of religions then the extremists have won. Then you live in a society much like they have. True, you have the right to make your world secure, but not at the cost of giving up your freedom. Balance must be found.

Answer 3

I'm British, and frankly, i don't care if someone is wearing it or not. That's their choice. Obviously, there are places it is not appropriate, such as a teacher in a classroom, especially with young children. Also, when people refuse to take it off at immigration, so their passport photo can be verified.

Why should we restrict what they wear? If you went to a muslim country, though they may not approve, they would not force you to cover up (unless going into a temple or something, but that's understandable), so why should we force them to remove it?

But just taking their children to school, that doesn't bother me. Perhaps we should just let them get on with it, if it's what they want to do (I know, shocking idea).

Answer 4

I certainly have a tendency to consider it, as long as that's for all face coverings, no longer basically burqas, as there's a undeniable concern with crimes being committed with the help of human beings overlaying their faces. If it have been basically targetting one faith, that ought to probable be unfair. If it addressing the known concern of hidden faces in particular, then I have no concern with it. I stay in a reasonably secular usa the place human beings do no longer traditionally flaunt their faith, yet i will experience that considerable religious outfits-based id could reason a psychological "us and them" feeling among a lot of human beings. So i'm torn to some quantity between inner maximum liberty and social solidarity, and there are arguments on the two aspects. I certainly have a tendency to return down on the edge of freedom extra.

Answer 5

Are Muslim men so controlled by their own lust that women need to be covered from head to toe. . . . . hmmm????????

In the school where I teach, the children of Muslim parents constitute 56% of our roll.
In the eight years Ive been there the face veil has taken off big time, eight years ago, about 5 women wore it, now its about 75% who are wearing it. Political statement????
Even the girls who attend the Islamic school up the road (age 11-16) are wearing it.
Anyway as my friend says, its not such a bad thing as it enables her to walk along the high street without fear of recognition as she walks into the pub in western clothing to meet us on Friday.
Nobody knows who she is!!!

Answer 6

Most of the women who I know who wear the veil choose to do so - often in the face of opposition from their families, so the argument that it is an issue of subjugation seems to be a bit of a non starter.

It really doesn't bother me - in fact as a white woman who is subject to the 'social requirements' of having perfect hair and make up before leaving the house if I wish to avoid being regarded as an oddball, I am really quite envious! Imagine - no more bad hair days, no angst over what to wear, no poking myself in the eye with the mascara wand because I'm too sleepy to see straight in the morning ... what absolute bliss!!! :-D

Answer 7

if you ban this then youd have to ban every other religion in the country. Catholics wear crucifixs but just cause theyre hidden under the clothes people dont see it as a threat unlike the veil. people are scared of what they cant see and dont understand. I dont know anything about muslims except what ive read in the paper and none of it is good so these people are all being tarred with the same brush instead of being given the chance to be known only a small percentage of them are terrorists. personally it does give me the creeps when i see a woman with a veil but like evrybody else if she spoke to me i would be polite and give her a chance to get to know her.

Answer 8

Tough question, because I can understand the discomfort of westernized citizens, while at the same time, what business is it of the government's what you wear/don't wear as long as minimum standards of decency (already in law) are complied with?

So if you argue that for security, everyone should be able to be visually identified - then the law would be, not banning niqab but rather face must be uncovered. Well...do sunglasses violate that? What about warm woolen ski caps in a frigid winter? Hey, extensive facial hair can be a problem then too...

Answer 9

I feel that we as a country and as wonderfully diverse as we are are now cow towing to other peoples demands. In a world where we britons are asked to abide by the laws and customs of the countries we visit and go to live in. Why shouldn't those of any race, religion or creed also abide by these rules when visiting or coming to live in britain?

We have had people of all different race, religions and creeds living in britain for generations and they are as british as the rest of us and have had no problem all these years fitting in. Now we seem to be changing our laws and customs to suit other people and I don't think that is right.

If I go to another country I respect their laws and cutoms. Britons should be allowed the same consideration.

Don't say Merry Christmas as it may offend.
Don't say Happy Easter as it may offend.
Don't let children make Mother or Fathers day cards as it may offend.
Don't let children have a nativity play at school as it may offend.

It's PC gone mad. However did people manage before?

So now I have finished my rant I'll answer your question.

I think we have to respect someone's religion regardless of how backdated and offensive we may find it. The niqab does not promote a feeling of openess but I respect that their religion does not allow for a womans face to be seen.

I hate that women are still treated like this but I respect that it is their religion.

I'm away for a lie down. C ya!

Answer 10

No not in public, I am for a womans right to choose, but certainly should be banned for schoolteachers,(recent case) a little child needs to have facial, expressional communication with a teacher. It is an unsure childs only way of knowing if the teacher is pleased with what they are doing or not, expressions encourage or discourage.
My job is one where communication is vital too, working with people with learning disabilities. A woman in a full face veil could not manage it.

Answer 11

In the west defanatley " Yes " However in the UK it's too late It's only a matter of another 10 years or more and we will be a minority in our own country. Bearly being able hang onto our british culture.and heratage ..Sad is it not.