veiled references

[winterbadger]

I caught the beginning of the Diane Rehm Show this morning, but didn't hear the bulk of it. Her first segement was on the wearing by Muslim women of the full-face veil (the niqab, cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niqab) in Western countries and Western reaction to it, particularly in light of controversies arising in the UK and US over non-Mulsims' perceptions and reactions to it.

I have somewhat mixed feelings about the issues involved; I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts. Do you feel the suggestion by MP Jack Straw that constituents visiting his office remove their niqab to be reasonable or unreasonable? Do you think that the PM was wrong to say that the veil is a sign of separation? Do you believe that niqabis ought not to be required to bare their face to teach, or to identify themselves to police?

I'll use my Pakistan icon, as it's the only Islamic one I have.

Comments

[azbound.livejournal.com]

Anne Applebaum had a great op-ed in the post last week. I'll see if I can find it.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102300976.html


I believe that the veil is a sign of separation - though I have no issue with someone choosing to do so. I do believe that niqabis remove their veils to teach. Why would you separate from those you are attempting to connect with to teach? And yes, I do believe they should have to unveil for the police.

[wolfette]

the teaching assistant who caused a lot of the controversy here in the UK felt that she should be able to keep her veil on while she taught (grade school children), because she had male colleagues who might see her face.

[winterbadger]

That's a good op-ed, IMO.