College refuses entry to women wearing Veils

[lou]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8125760.stm

Interesting story I thought and my view was that its fair enough. Wearing of veils is NOT a religious requirement of Islam its something thats chosen, so I dont see why places cant insist they are removed whilst on their premises.

If a white lad turned up with a scarf covering his face they definately wouldnt get in!

I personally hate the full face veils and think its very hard to communicate with someone when you cannot see their facial expressions. I cant imagine why anyone would want to wear one.. must get quite hot and uncomfortable in this heat!

[Granno]

Good for the college, to be honest.

[Tommy G]

Yep good for them. I dont know much about these burkas, but it's a bit off putting when all you can see is someones eyes, they could be being really rude to you and you'd never know?

[Granno]

Yep good for them. I dont know much about these burkas, but it's a bit off putting when all you can see is someones eyes, they could be being really rude to you and you'd never know?

I liken wearing one to turning your head whilst someone is talking to you, it's a little bit rude.

[Benji]

this thread is never going to end well

[Tommy G]

The PC brigade will be telling people to stop voicing their opinions in a minute, everyone who is against it automatically votes for the BNP too

[Benji]

one of the newspaper editors put it best on Question Time the other week when he said UK MPs wouldn't touch this subject with a barge poll

[Shrenchel]

one of the newspaper editors put it best on Question Time the other week when he said UK MPs wouldn't touch this subject with a barge poll

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5411954.stm

[MikeyT]

Good for the college, to be honest.

Yep totally 100% agree!

[Benji]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5411954.stm

a lot quicker than i expected

[Lovejoy]

I tried having a conversation with one on Saturday, couldn't make out what she was saying. They're a nuisance .

[Maybes]

Good.

[foxoffderby]

good news

[James.]

I would defend the college's right to have a policy that people can't have their faces covered as that applies equally to everyone, regardless of religion. So I don't think these Muslims have anything to complain about.

However I really don't see why some people have an issue with women wearing veils. It's their personal choice, nevermind what the religion says or not. If they want to wear one then they should be allowed to. I see hundreds of people in veils round Whitechapel and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, no idea why it would anyone else.

[Tommy G]

I would defend the college's right to have a policy that people can't have their faces covered as that applies equally to everyone, regardless of religion. So I don't think these Muslims have anything to complain about.

However I really don't see why some people have an issue with women wearing veils. It's their personal choice, nevermind what the religion says or not. If they want to wear one then they should be allowed to. I see hundreds of people in veils round Whitechapel and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, no idea why it would anyone else.

Yeh I just think it's a bit rude, just because it doesn't bother you doesn't mean it wont bother other people.

I had to refuse to serve a lady in my previous employment because I couldnt understand what she was saying, not because she didnt speak english (it was a bit broken) but because I couldn't have the aid of lip reading I simply couldn't understand what she was saying to me

[James.]

Yeh I just think it's a bit rude, just because it doesn't bother you doesn't mean it wont bother other people.

I acknowledged the fact it bothered people in my first post, my point is I don't really see WHY. At least I haven't seen a good reason in this thread as yet.

I had to refuse to serve a lady in my previous employment because I couldnt understand what she was saying, not because she didnt speak english (it was a bit broken) but because I couldn't have the aid of lip reading I simply couldn't understand what she was saying to me

Yes but it was the veiled woman who was inconvenienced by the veil, not you.

[Dr The Singh]

It doesn't bother me what people where in there homes and in the general public, but where it is neccessary for facial recognition or facial communication and as it's not a 'article of faith' it's not appropriate for schools, certain workplaces etc!!!

[Maybes]

I acknowledged the fact it bothered people in my first post, my point is I don't really see WHY. At least I haven't seen a good reason in this thread as yet.

Yes but it was the veiled woman who was inconvenienced by the veil, not you.

Who is the woman is your avatar ?

[James.]

Who is the woman is your avatar ?

Gisele Dulko. She beat Sharapova but then lost in the next round. She's not my avatar because of her tennis ability clearly.

I love her.

[Tommy G]

Yes but it was the veiled woman who was inconvenienced by the veil, not you.

I see your point, she had the problem buying her stuff and not me. Her loss

[Koke]

Such a non-story.

The college was right on the money on this occasion, but I love when people throw a hissy fit and emotional outburst when it comes to the veil subject.

[lou]

Such a non-story.

The college was right on the money on this occasion, but I love when people throw a hissy fit and emotional outburst when it comes to the veil subject.

My bad! I certainly wasnt throwing a hissy or anything just dont like them personally.

I think its interesting, its not a racial thing IMO I wouldnt like it if white, Christians wore full face veils either. Like I said in my 1st post - its hard to interract with someone when you cant see their expressions. I just think its a shame some people want to shield themselves from the rest of society by covering their faces thats all.

[Koke]

My bad! I certainly wasnt throwing a hissy or anything just dont like them personally.

I think its interesting, its not a racial thing IMO I wouldnt like it if white, Christians wore full face veils either. Like I said in my 1st post - its hard to interract with someone when you cant see their expressions. I just think its a shame some people want to shield themselves from the rest of society by covering their faces thats all.

Not having a go at you at all

At the end of the day it's a personal choice. I'm not a fan of the veil either, believe it or not, but we can't be selective when it comes to freedom of expression. And when you consider only a small tiny handful of Muslim women actually wear this thing, the fuss about it is unbelievable.

Certain people in this country love these kinda stories so they can use it as a tool for their right wing agenda - but when you read the story carefully, people will see that 2 of the girls actually co-operated and took off their veil, whilst the other one left the building.

Being Muslim myself, I can tell you that the women who wear the veil know very well the potential backlash it can cause and they know they could be asked to remove it at any given time. Most of them would remove it if situations like these came up.

[Babylon]

It doesn't bother me what people where in there homes and in the general public, but where it is neccessary for facial recognition or facial communication and as it's not a 'article of faith' it's not appropriate for schools, certain workplaces etc!!!

[Jon the Hat]

Being Muslim myself, I can tell you that the women who wear the veil know very well the potential backlash it can cause and they know they could be asked to remove it at any given time. Most of them would remove it if situations like these came up.

That does show a certain disrespect for others though, given they are living in a society with predominantly different values. I do not think there should be any general restricitions on what people can wear and where (a la Sarkozy) but if people chose to wear something which they are fully aware causes offence to some of the general population in which they choose to live then should they not expect to be treated as if they are being delieberately rude?

Edit. I guess what I am trying to say is that the reason this is a big issue, even though the numbers are relatively tiny, is becuase it is seen as either a deliberately rude act, or as ignorance of the customs and expectations of the British popoulation in general, and both of these are seen as disrespectul by a large chunk of the population.