Why do muslim people get to wear the veil in school?

Question

We are not allowed to wear crucifixes, swastikas etc. but the muslim people are allowed the wear their religious garments. This is unfair in my school. What should I do?

To those who don't know what the swastika is (apart from the Nazi thing), it is a Hindu symbol.

Answer 1

Where do you live and when did the Nazis take over?

Last time I checked, freedom of expression of faith is an inalienable right. Either you need to be allowed to wear your crucifixes, stars of david, pentacles and other such stuff or the headscarves need to come off. Period.

I would talk to someone in charge and lay down a big WTF on their doorstep. I can't tell you who exactly though, unless I know from where you hail.

Answer 2

Hi! This is a good question and you have all the right for a clear explanation.

Most probably your school does not permit religious symbols, and that's probably the reason. However, the veil is not a religious symbol. In fact, there are no religious symbols in Islam.

Women wear the veil in Islam because it is part of their religious practice, and for them, not wearing it means disobeying God. Meanwhile, a crucifix is not required religiously and if one does not use it they can still be considered "good Christians".

The laws in many countries permit the use of a veil for a Muslim woman, a beard for Muslim men, a turban for Seikhs, because it is considered necessary in their religion. It is a basic human right to be allowed not to break the commandments of your religion.

On the other hand, some countries do not allow the religious symbols in schools as they contradict the supposedly secular environment and the separation between religion and state. They are probably considered some sort of promoting your religious beliefs.

I personally feel that the school should not prohibit you from using any religious symbols. In no way should anyone consider it offensive just by seeing you wearing your crucifix.

Take care.

Answer 3

Because the veil is not a religious symbol, it's a religious commandment. Telling Muslim girls they cannot wear them is stepping on our rights of freedom of religion. A scarf is equivalent to a Mormon's skirt and long hair, or an Orthodox Jew's curls; attempting to forbid those crosses the line of human rights. Now, we are not allowed to wear crescent and star necklaces and probably not allowed to bring a Quran to schools that ban religious icons because they're not necessary in a school building. But hijab is an essential part of a Muslim woman's daily life and not a simple religious symbol to show support for a particular religion.

Hope I didn't confuse you, lol!

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Btw: swastikas are a symbol of hatred and intolerance these days (although the history of the symbol is completely different), and wouldn't be accepted in schools period, regardless of whether or not they allow religious symbols.

Answer 4

What school do you go to? In my school, is okay to wear crosses or crucifixes. No swastikas because of the history behind it. Do you live in the UK? It's unfair that your school does that. I think they don't want to upset Muslims who we all know have a temper.

Answer 5

I have to honestly question the swastikas bit.. I think that might frighten people or make them uneasy in general not talking about specific diversities, nationalities or anything like that. Jewelry isn't the same as clothing articles so might not be much of an argument.

Answer 6

I'm guessing that the veil is a required part of their religion,a crucifix for Christians is more of a piece of jewelry than a required ornament of your faith.It would be going against their religion to not cover themselves,not wearing a crucifix is not a sin in christianity and wearing one is not required.

Answer 7

Is it a rule against jewelry? If so, then you don't really have an argument.

I'm sure Jewish children are allowed to wear the little hats (crap, I know the name....it's escaping me right now) if the girls are allowed to wear their veils.

You need to be more specific about your school rules before anyone should really speak about it.

School rules are made for good reasons (usually) and are not out to "persecute" you. You should talk to your counselor, principal, and parents to see why these rules are in place and what, if anything, can be done to make them more acceptable for you.

Answer 8

It would help, or at least be interesting, to know where you are. France banned Muslim headscarves in its schools several years ago, and Muslim girls seem to be coping by substituting bandanas. I think that one difference between veils or headscarves and the other items you mention is that veils and scarves are clothes. If you practiced a religion that required its female followers to wear ankle-length skirts and your school insisted on knee-length ones, you might feel as many Muslim school girls do--that you were being forced to be indecent.

Answer 9

Peace.....you would be right to bring this to the principal's attention followed by the school board or bishop if you are catholic in a public school system. Did someone actually say or write (including staff) that wearing other religious symbols was not permitted? "orthros"

Answer 10

Because PC has gone mad. I suggest contacting the ACLU, though given the climate today, I doubt it'll do any good. Our government is bending over backward to keep from offending the oil-producing companies.

Schools should be consistent: either all religious symbols are banned (preferably), or none are.