The British Cabinet Minister Jack Straw, whose constituency has a large Muslim population, has provoked anger and indignation among broad sections of the Muslim community in calling for Islamic women to stop wearing the veil(niqab) covering their face. Mr Straw says that the practise hindered community relations and was a visible statement of separation and of difference.
Mr Straw said that he had chosen his words carefully. "We are able to relate to people we don't know by reading their faces and if you can't see their faces, that provides some separation," and went on to say "Those people who do wear the veil should think about the implications for community relations."
Some of Mr Straw's supporters have added that this was an important issue that needed to be debated.
British Muslim leaders and fellow Labour MPs, have however pointed to a series of statements from ministers which they say have challenged attitudes towards multiculturalism.
Was Mr Straw right to bring the subject up for debate?
Should Muslim Women be encouraged to unveil themselves when they live in Western societies or do these comments only serve to demonstrate the lack of understanding and tolerance towards people with different faiths?
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1 comment:
As a muslim women who wears the complete veil(all but my eyes) I don't really care if anyone tries to convince me to take it off or not. I made the descions for myself and I do if for God, not for what humans think. His commets were out of line, but so are alot of polital leaders. I could care less what he thinks of my veil. But he should be more careful in his words if he is supposed to represent non Muslims and Muslims alike.
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