There has been much debate in Britain recently regarding the Niqab, the female head and face garment worn by certain fundamentalist followers of Islam.
Recently an Oxford court upheld a schools decision to disallow a 12 year old girl from wearing the Niqab on her fathers insistence. I agree with this on the basis that a) the Niqab is not a religious garment, you will not find any reference to the Niqab in the entire Qu’ran and b) we should not tolerate a culture of exceptionism towards Islam or any other religion.
Yesterday I got very irate listening to a popular talk show radio DJ Jon Gaunt who has decided that the Niqab serves no purpose in British society and must therefore be categorically banned from the streets of Britain. He justifies this on the basis that some criminals and terrorists have been able to evade security checks at airports etc. because they have not been required to lift their Niqab.
When passing through Airport security, entering a bank etc I wholeheartedly believe that the Niqab should be removed to enable facial identification. This should be required regardless of religion, race or cultural customs, just as gloves would need to be removed when having your fingerprints taken. I would have thought that was obvious!
However, given that Britain is supposed to be a free and liberal society I cannot see how the British government could possibly ban somebody from wearing a particular article of clothing. The Netherlands, another supposed free and liberal society is planning on banning the Niqab altogether. And, interestingly the Muslim countries of Turkey and Tunisia have banned the Niqab outright.
As much as I detest Muslim extremism I also detest nanny-state restrictions on freedom of expression and the right to wear whatever the hell you want to! Yes I believe the Niqab is sexist and unnecessary but banning the Niqab is just wrong, regardless of my personal opinion.
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26 February, 2007 at 10:59 am
Misty
I don’t mind the niqab, but not while driving. Last year I was almost run over by a woman in full niqab behind the wheel of a Volvo. Peripheral vision schmision! Religious freedom is all that matters!
26 February, 2007 at 12:09 pm
David
Yeah I remember, they shouldn’t be allowed to drive, you’re right!
The irony is that in countries where the Niqab is encouraged, women are actually banned from driving e.g. Saudi Arabia!
26 February, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Misty
it’s because they can’t bloody see where they’re going!
27 February, 2007 at 12:26 pm
6000
The problem is that unless you get all Draconian and ban it outright, people won’t feel that they have to abide by the lesser restrictions like banks and security checks etc.
I think that Misty is blaming the wrong factor for his/her near miss though. All Volvo drivers are a law unto themselves. Maybe we should be looking into banning Volvos.
Now, please stop writing interesting articles I feel I have to comment on and let me get back to my work. Thanks.
28 February, 2007 at 12:42 pm
David
On what basis should Britain ban it outright. One has to remove ones motorcycle helmet when entering a bank, or indeed anything which covers the face. I really don;t see the problem with people walking around the streets covering there faces. In Chicago were it was -35 I saw loads of people wearing balaclava’s etc and it wasn’t a problem. If you choose to ban it on religious grounds then surely all head wear should be banned eg. Kippah, Nuns head dress etc.
27 March, 2007 at 6:42 pm
farah khaliq
I dont think the niqab effects the vision in any way, i wear the full veil, and im a safe experienced driver….. i think you men just want to criticise women driving, seen it all before lol
27 March, 2007 at 7:03 pm
David
Really Farah, why do you wear the full veil, would you care to share your reasons with me. I’m really interested.
I have never tried one on but Misty was pretty convinced that she nearly got killed by a woman driving with the full veil who definitely didn’t have peripheral vision!