It has been suggested, sadly by a member of my own party, that there needs to be a discussion on Muslim women being veiled in public. He seems to think that they are forced to wear it.
I would hate us to go down the appalling French road. If the women are forced to wear the veil then banning them from wearing it in public will merely mean that the men in the household will stop them ever leaving the house. Is that what we really want?
No doubt some women are pressurised into wearing the veil but others choose to out of an apparently mistaken belief that it is part of their religious duty.
It is only a minority of Muslim women who go this far. But even so we should maintain the hard won freedom of people in this country.
But having said that I believe the judge was correct in saying the Muslim woman must be unveiled when she gives her evidence in court. I think it is essential that the jury, judge and the prosecuting counsel should see her face when she is giving evidence.
And I found it so pathetic that she went to court totally covered apart from her eyes and the white man with her was holding an umbrella in front of her to stop her photograph being taken. Only her eyes could have been seen for goodness sake. What was the point.
I am sure many practising Muslims will feel that their religion is being brought into disrepute by the actions of this woman and the man with her by such an action.
Had my say, now it is up to you.
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