Niqab Ban - Right Or Wrong?

[agchristie]

Another place of learning faces accusations of 'Islamophobia'. Despite the guidelines, should there be a complete ban in schools, universities, courts, etc where visualising interaction is necessary or would this be seen as discriminatory to Muslims?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/camden-school-for-girls-in-discrimination-storm-after-demanding-16yearold-removes-niqab-9751735.html

[ToraToraTora]

right.

[bazwillrun]

right
our country, our rules
dont like it they can always find another country and see how they get on with imposing what they want on them....

[askyourgran]

Right, there is no reason for girls at school to wear the veil, it is not discriminatory it is just a selfish act by selfish people who want their own way all the time. Rules should be obeyed not questioned.

[naomi24]

Yes – and no excuses about teachers needing to see the pupils’ faces in order to interact with them. I don’t actually care if it is seen as discriminatory against Muslims or not. Even if I respected their beliefs, which I don’t, there is nothing within their religion that requires them to cover their face. This, in recent years, and for obvious reasons, has become the visual symbol of fundamentalist Islam.

[Khandro]

Oh dear, not again!

[naomi24]

Why not? Too difficult?

[New Judge]

Yes again.

Because it is in the news. Because yet another individual seeks to flout the school's rules for no good reason. Because yet another individual seeks to be rude to those around her by masking up in public.

And yet again the opinions here seem to be similar.

[joggerjayne]

It's wrong to ban the niqab.

It's part of some people's culture. You have to respect other cultures.

I mean, it's not as if Arab countries ban shorts or bikinis.

Oh, hang on ...

[sandyRoe]

If it was banned religious parents might withdraw their girls from school. So, an unintended consequence of such a ban would be to deprive girls who come from one of the less privileged strata of society the right to an education.
The devil's in the detail.

[askyourgran]

It will go on ad infinitum until the veil is banned altogether in this country. I always think that they are worn by those stupid women just to annoy people.

[douglas9401]

Dressing as a ghost from PacMan seems bizarre.

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/h/f/P/g/1/D/pacman-ghost-left-looking-hi.png

[naomi24]

sandyRoe, So be it - that's the choice of the parents who have no one to blame but themselves - but anyway, why are you assuming girls shrouded from the world are less privileged? Have you been to Harrods lately?

[joggerjayne]

Harrods?

You can't move in there for people dressed in ...

Oh, right ...

[New Judge]

"So, an unintended consequence of such a ban would be to deprive girls who come from one of the less privileged strata of society the right to an education. "

Oh dear. How sad. Never mind.

The intended consequence, however would be achieved. That is, to stop people appearing in public in the UK with their faces masked up. Whether it is a religious requirement or not is immaterial. If it is it's just bad luck. We all have to make adjustments to accommodate those around us. Its use is offensive; it is divisive; it is rude.

[naomi24]

You know Harrods then, Jayne. :o)

[sandyRoe]

"so be it..." Can you really mean that? Education, especially for girls from patriarchal societies, is a great liberating force.
Wearing a niqab may be a way for some of these young women of cocking a snoot at society. It would be a shame if the roads to opportunity were closed to them because of teenage stroppiness.
I'd guess that the majority of gowned young women shopping in Harrods don't come from inner city London.

[naomi24]

Yes, sandyRoe, I mean it. Your wooden spoon surely must need replacing soon. I imagine it's quite worn out. ;o)

[joggerjayne]

Nazza ... of course I know Harrods ...

It's down the road from Harvey Nicks!

:0)

[New Judge]

Lots of teenagers exhibit stroppiness and push the boundaries, test the rules. Then they are told what's what and if they and their parents have any sense they fall into line. If they don't then, yes, so be it.

In this case the person concerned is being deliberately provocative and is challenging the school by accusing them of discrimination in order to get her own way. I hope the school stands firm so that this ridiculous practice is eradicated.