Veil related posts and threads combined

[S_87]

Cabinet Minister Jack Straw has said he would prefer Muslim women not to wear veils which cover the face.
The Commons leader said he did not want to be "prescriptive" but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult.

Mr Straw has said he asks Muslim women at his Blackburn constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils.

Some Muslim women called his remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns.

Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions that his remarks are designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election.

He has yet to confirm whether he will join the race to succeed John Prescott but is widely expected to do so.

Meeting strangers

Mr Straw is Labour MP for Blackburn, where between 25% and 30% of residents are Muslim.

He sparked controversy when he told his local paper he asked female constituents visiting his surgery if they would uncover their faces.

He said he made sure he had a female colleague in the room when asking someone to show their mouth and nose - and his constituents had so far always agreed to do so.

Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would rather the veils be discarded completely, Mr Straw replied: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather."


Mr Straw explained the impact he thought veils could have in a society where watching facial expressions was important for contact between different people.

"Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers - people being able to acknowledge each other in the street or being able pass the time of day," he said.

"That's made more difficult if people are wearing a veil. That's just a fact of life.

"I understand the concerns but I hope, however, there can be a mature debate about this.

"I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities."

'Separateness' fears

Mr Straw stressed it was a choice for women and he was making a request and not a demand.

"What I've been struck by when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations," he said.

"I mean, they'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that - but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table."

He said he was worried the "implications of separateness" and the development of "parallel communities".

Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister "believes that it is right that people should be able to have a discussion and express their personal views on issues such as this".

The spokesman said Mr Straw's comments were not government policy and he refused to reveal Mr Blair's views on the issue.

'Dangerous doctrine'

Mr Straw's comments have provoked a mixed response from Muslim groups.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission called Mr Straw's views "astonishing" and accused him of discrimination.

The Protect-Hijab organisation said the "appalling" comments showed "a deep lack of understanding".

But Dr Daud Abdullah, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said he could understand Mr Straw's discomfort adding that women could choose to remove the veil.

Labour's Baroness Uddin said debate was needed but perhaps not in the way Mr Straw had framed it.

She was worried he had talked about veils being a statement of separation - that acknowledged the government's failure to ensure Muslim women were "part and parcel" of British society, she argued.

Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said it would be "dangerous doctrine" to tell people how to dress.

And Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes: "The experience of visiting their MP is difficult enough for many people without having to consider a dress code."



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[S_87]

i think straw is a class a muppet as well as zionist with a hidden agenda. i HOPE those muslims who were keen on voting him in before sees some sense!

[Snowflake]

I'd like to ask him how removing the veil will improve community relations?

The yobs who don't have an islamic bone in their body & are terrorising innocent people on the streets, wasting police & court time are really helping community relations aren't they! :rant:

Next it'll be removing all types of Islamic identity clothing and perhaps even beards..

[KAding]

Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather.

It seems perfectly reasonable to me and I agree with this comment. Do I support the principle behind the veil: no. Do I think it's nevertheless a personal choice: sure. I really don't understand why people are so upset about this, surely they didn't expect many Westerners would agree with the idea behind wearing a veil, right?

I think he is simply being honest.

[Muezzin]

It seems perfectly reasonable to me and I agree with this comment. Do I support the principle behind the veil: no. Do I think it's nevertheless a personal choice: sure. I really don't understand why people are so upset about this, surely they didn't expect many Westerners would agree with the idea behind wearing a veil, right?

I think he is simply being honest.

The funny thing is, you don't hear any of the ladies who were asked by him to remove the veil complaining. It seems to be Mr Straw who is making an issue out of things and 'getting upset'.

[Bittersteel]

It seems to be Mr Straw who is making an issue out of things and 'getting upset'.

sexual frustration of some sort?

[- Qatada -]

Cabinet Minister Jack Straw has said he would prefer Muslim women not to wear veils which cover the face.

And...? since when did he decide what our sister's wear? subhan Allaah.

[InToTheRain]

Well as long as it remains an opinion I guess not much harm is done, Its odd that he speaks about how uncomfortable certain people amongst a group that supports him make him.

He has dawn attention to the veil, I heard yesterday idiots were snatching the head scarf of sisters and doing a runner.

I personally find it uncomfortable some people don't wear the veil, Condoleeza Rice for example...BUt DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT WHAT HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL CHOICE OF ATTIRE EH? :rant:

[united]

I dont know what his reasons were but it definately means that sisters will get more abuse. Its not just physical abuse, verbal abuse hurts aswell.

[DaNgErOuS MiNdS]

I think the media blew it out of proportion if you ask me, they just want to highlight the veil rather then what Straw said. It's just another potryal by the media about how Muslims are and how they don't follow society...

The Pope's comments didn't quite get the riots going and the Muslims didn't react so maybe this story might trigger something.

[S_87]

It seems perfectly reasonable to me and I agree with this comment. Do I support the principle behind the veil: no. Do I think it's nevertheless a personal choice: sure. I really don't understand why people are so upset about this, surely they didn't expect many Westerners would agree with the idea behind wearing a veil, right?

I think he is simply being honest.

but whats it to him? why should they agree or disagree? its none of their business ...

[amirah_87]

As salaamu aalykum,

Ya Ilaahiy this makes me soo mad!! :grumbling

but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult.

More Difficult SubhanAllah... Does'nt he find being in a room with a kaafir women who's half naked diffcult!!

[DaNgErOuS MiNdS]

More Difficult SubhanAllah... Does'nt he find being in a room with a kaafir women who's half naked diffcult!!

I would feel alot more uncomfortable talking with someone of the opposite gender half naked then someone with a veil.

[- Qatada -]

They just doing it so this topic get's controversial within the public. And by starting a small spark, they exaggerate it in the media, which lead's to aggression against the muslim's - due to the non muslim's igorance.


We should know that this would happen anyway, because this is one of the reason's the jew's were expelled from Medinah at the time of Rasulullah sal Allaahu alayhi waSalam.

They tried to remove a muslim woman's veil and her awrah was shown due to that - so immediately the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) layed siege to their properties.



We should stay firm, patient and put our trust in Allaah Almighty in situation's like these, otherwise - they'll make us give up our islaam gradually.

Remember that the Makkan's allowed the muslim's to pray at home too, they just don't like the fact that we follow islaam as a way of life.


Allaah Almighty knows best.

[*Hana*]

Salam Alaikum:

These comments just show his ignorance and if we remain calm and steadfast in our want to worship Allah, swt, by wearing the veil, the situation will disappear.

I just wonder if a female visitor dressed in a mini skirt and belly shirt is asked to cover when visiting his office.

wasalam,
Hana

[Mohsin]

I haven't quite followed this story 100%. is he asking for muslims women to never ever wear the niqaab, even on streets, or does he want it banned in schools and work places only?

To me I just can't believe what i am hearing from the british Public on nessnight reviews and question time, radio phone ins, and polls etc. They are all against it, but here i was thinking this country stoof for the rights of religious freedom? If people are so free to practise what they wish then why is this even an issue?

[*Hana*]

Salam Alaikum:

No, he's not asking them to remove them permanently. Basically, he's saying when they come to his office to visit and discuss things they should remove them because he feels it's difficult to speak them when he can't see their faces, and some other stuff about it causing seperation in community.

However, I wonder how he is able to talk on the phone when he can't even see a whole person.....must be extremely difficult for Mr. Straw to function normally in today's world.

Wasalam,
Hana

[S_87]

Salam Alaikum:



However, I wonder how he is able to talk on the phone when he can't even see a whole person.....must be extremely difficult for Mr. Straw to function normally in today's world.

Wasalam,
Hana

tell me about it! he should go back a few centuries

[The Ruler]

i watched the news and this lady goes " i think women should be allowed to wear whatever they want to" and i wasthinking...we are wearing what we want to....because if islam FORCED women to wear it then we wouldnt see muslim girls going around without a headscarf....it is obligatory...yes but nowadays it seems more of the girl's choice than something that is forced upon her.

[InToTheRain]

Salam Alaikum:
I wonder how he is able to talk on the phone when he can't even see a whole person.....must be extremely difficult for Mr. Straw to function normally in today's world.

Wasalam,
Hana

indeed.

And it is so selfish and inconsiderate to tell others ways to make him comfortable at their expense. **** the hypocrit.