A followup to a previous post on the hypocrisy of the so-called multi-cultural British society when it comes to dealings with Muslims. It seems that some religions are more equal than others.
Following the row over Muslim veils in the UK, a Government minister, Phil Woolas, has called for 23-year-old teacher Aishah Azmi to be sacked for refusing to down hers. In a totally unrelated development, the British Airways uniform policy, which calls for all jewellery and religious symbols (including the Christian Cross) on chains to be concealed, has been described as "loopy" by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain. There, of course, have been no calls for the sacking of 55 year old check-in worker Nadia Eweida who claims she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to conceal her cross necklace. On the contrary Kent Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe urged a boycott of BA. She said: "My view is that Christians do not have to take this." Well put! Muslims don't have to take it either.
Following the row over Muslim veils in the UK, a Government minister, Phil Woolas, has called for 23-year-old teacher Aishah Azmi to be sacked for refusing to down hers. In a totally unrelated development, the British Airways uniform policy, which calls for all jewellery and religious symbols (including the Christian Cross) on chains to be concealed, has been described as "loopy" by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain. There, of course, have been no calls for the sacking of 55 year old check-in worker Nadia Eweida who claims she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to conceal her cross necklace. On the contrary Kent Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe urged a boycott of BA. She said: "My view is that Christians do not have to take this." Well put! Muslims don't have to take it either.
6 comments:
You've got to love those wonderful double standards!
Jon,
The issue here is the right to freely practice one's religion. If the BA order to conceal all jewelry, which only incidentally affects religious symbols is an infringement on the right, how much so a ban that specifically targets the Islamic veils?
It shouldn't matter that she went to the interview unveiled. How she chooses to practice her faith is her business and noone else's.
And, so far as I can see, noone has proved that veiled teachers are less effective than unveiled ones.
I agree about the need for understanding all round. But democracy is also about respect for the fundamental rights of others, especially the right of minorities to be different. People may be uncomfortable with burkhas but that doesn't mean they should be illegal. I'm sure the Muslims are just as uncomfortable with mini-skirts and jeans.
Muslim countries are hardly the epitome of liberal democracy. We should be seeking a higher standard not falling to the lowest common denominator.
BTW Jon,
It now seems multi-cultural Britain is dead and buried. The new policy is integration. At least that's the Gospel according to the Telegraph.
Re Double Standards: For instance:
It's illegal to discriminate against homosexuals in the Uk. But society has to respect religious views including their discrimination against homesexuals because its part of a religious belief rather than simply a prejudice? errr....
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