To wear or not to wear…that is the question
19-10-2006
So the debate sparks from Cabinet Minister Jack Straw’s controversial suggestion that Muslim women should remove their veils to improve communication skills and prevent isolation from other social groups. Other politicians have voiced their opinions on his comments- Oliver Letwin of the Conservative party states it would be ‘dangerous doctrine’ to tell people how to dress; whilst the Protect-Hijab organisation said that the ‘appalling’ comments showed a ‘deep lack of understanding’.
{mosimage}The issue in question is a difficult one. Can you ask someone to compromise their religious beliefs for the sake of ‘communication’ issues. For a start, I am not entirely convinced that the excuse of ‘communication’ is good enough after all, haven’t Muslim women been wearing Hijab’s (veils) for decades and there has been no real issue until now? One begins to think that it is really a deeper issue of explicit religious symbols being more threatening than anything else in a political climate of uncertainty and fear or terrorism, or that of which we do not understand.
The veil debate aside, there seems to be an increasing intolerance of other visible religious symbols or ‘accessories’- you only have to think of the airhostess that was asked to remove her Christian cross. Where will it end- will turbans, skull caps and religious pendants be banned. How about Sari’s? Britain is a multicultural society and shouldn’t we be more tolerant of the diverse faiths that contribute to our rich culture? These symbols are an important part of a religious system and they represent identity, uniformity and a proud declaration of faith. Some like the Muslim Hijab are part of religious doctrine, so do we have a right to interfere with these ‘laws’?
Ultimately, a move to ban visible religious clothing and ‘uniform’ would be an attack on our freedom of expression. Perhaps the solution is not to ban what we are ignorant of but try to understand it.
Image of hijab designed for Ikea staff by www.thehijabshop.com
By Becky Lyon becky.lyon@hotmail.co.uk
