Is British sense of tolerance a myth?

This article is published in today's Northants Evening Telegraph:

Is British sense of tolerance a myth?

Kettering MP Philip Hollobone caused controversy this week with his comments about Muslims wearing the burka in public, suggesting they shouldn't be hiding their faces if they want to integrate into British culture.

His comments sparked hundreds of letters, emails and texts from readers, some agreeing with his views, some saying the burka should be banned.

Others said his comments were unnecessary and that there is no problem with women wearing the burka in public.

The debate raised the question, is wearing a burka a race, religious or cultural issue and also opened up more questions.

Do we live in a tolerant society, are we too tolerant or are we not tolerant enough?

As British citizens, if we travel abroad we are asked to abide by the traditions and social ethos of that country.

For example, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives guidelines for tourists travelling to Dubai.

They say: "Emiratis dress conservatively in traditional dress and can be offended when westerners dress inappropriately to Islamic values.

"In public places such as shopping malls, restaurants and parks you are encouraged to dress appropriate, shorts and skirts should be of appropriate length – be aware that if you enter one of these areas dressed inappropriately, you may be asked to leave the larger shopping malls."

Given these guidelines for Dubai, should we expect burkas not to be worn in the UK?

Comments left online were mixed.

Scoleman said: "This idea of England being a multicultural centre for community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity."

Roberto said: "I applaud Mr Hollobone for his bravery in speaking out about this appalling garment which should indeed be banned in public places."

Treacle Tart said: "At the end of the day it's each to their own when it comes to religion. If we go to an Islamic country we have to follow their beliefs and laws so in turn they should follow ours."

Flore said: "Suggesting that all Muslims who wish to practise their religion in their own way should leave the UK would amount to a fundamental breach of human rights.

"It should not be suggested that anyone, of any religion or social group, should leave the country in order to practise their religion. We should respect and value our society's diversity in all its form."

MP says Muslim women should have the right to choose their clothing

Banning women from wearing burkas would go against their freedom of choice, Labour MP for Northampton North Sally Keeble says.

The row over whether the full veil worn by Muslim women should be banned has resurfaced in the light of a proposal in France for the outfits to be outlawed.

It comes as polls have suggested one third of Britain's population would support a ban.

Mrs Keeble said it was important to ensure women were not being forced to wear the burka, but said they should be free to do so if it was their own choice.

She said: "Personally, although I have always done regular advice surgeries for all sections of the community, including for Muslim women, I have never met a woman in Northamptonshire wearing a burka. So this issue should be seen in context.

"Where people's faces need to be seen, for security, work or other similar purposes, then they should remove face coverings.

"However, if it is simply down to personal choice, then people should be able to dress as they like.

"While I don't share the religious beliefs, people are entitled to wear such clothing.

"Some forms of clothing are restrictive for women, and I find those very hard to accept because to me they symbolise discrimination against women.

"I think it is important to challenge the discrimination, which also means ensuring that women who wear such clothing do so of their own free choice."

"MPs have to deal with all their constituents whatever they wear."

Debate rages over the right to wear burkas

This article is published in today's Northants Evening Telegraph:

Debate rages over the right to wear burkas

It is the religious equivalent of going round with a paper bag over your head with two holes for the eyes.

This was the comment from Kettering MP Philip Hollobone in the House of Commons this week as he called for British Muslim women to stop wearing the burka.

During the parliamentary debate, he said: "I have huge sympathy with those who say they want action against those who want to cover themselves up in public.

"How ridiculous would the House of Commons be if we all wore burkas? How would Mr Speaker be able to identify which Member to call next?

"It is offensive in my view to want to cut yourself off from face-to-face contact or recognition with other members of the human race.

"I think we should certainly look at ways to tackle that issue."

His comments come after a poll revealed a third of Britons want to see an outright ban on wearing the burka in public, and two thirds believe wearing it should be illegal in places such as banks and airports.

The UK Independence Party has already called for an outright ban on the burka in Britain and the French parliament is thought to be considering a law banning the full Islamic veil.

But although Conservative Mr Hollobone told the Evening Telegraph he stands by his comments, his party has been keen to distance itself from the comments, saying they do not represent its views.

Yesterday Mr Hollobone hit back, saying the Conservatives were being cowardly and that the burka is 'inappropriate' in modern British society.

So why has this traditional Muslim custom caused such controversy?

Muslim women wear the veil because it is seen in their religion as a way of preserving their modesty in the presence of men.

Wearers of the burka say they are not forced to cover up but rather they choose to wear it as a mark of respect and because it is stated in the Koran.

But opposers of the burka argue it is out of place in modern Britain and makes communication more difficult.

MP and Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw hit the headlines when he revealed he asked Muslim women in his constituency to remove their burka in meetings with him because he wanted to talk to them 'face-to-face'.

The custom of wearing the burka is also uncomfortable for some people as Muslim men are not subject to the same code of dress.

Mr Hollobone's remarks have sparked widespread debate about the burka on the Evening Telegraph's website and its Facebook page where readers have been posting their views.

One reader, Roberto, of Kettering, said: "I applaud Mr Hollobone for his bravery in speaking out about this appalling garment which should indeed be banned in public places.

"I often wonder why the Marxist feminist lobby in this country, usually so vocal about Western women's rights, say absolutely nothing about their burka-clad sisters?"

Michael Goode, of Kettering, agrees. He said: "People should be entitled to wear what they like, it is a free country.

"However if someone decides to live in the UK then they should be prepared to change to our way of life and not try to impose their views and religions on us."

But Gail McDade, of Corby, describes Mr Hollobone's views as 'serious ignorance'.

She said: "Some people just want to cause trouble. The women who chose to wear a full burka are entitled to do so. If everyone was a little more accepting of others, we would all get on so much better."

Kettering Muslim Association was shocked by Mr Hollobone's comments in the House of Commons.

Secretary Suhel Dudha said: "Mr Hollobone is entitled to his opinion but it's more than a little short-sighted. MPs are not in a poition to be taking moral lead on things."