There is no doubt that the issue of the veil, niqaab, worn
by some Muslim women is increasingly featuring in Politics and the
media. An MP refuses to see members of his constituency if they wear
such a garment, a University Student Union calls to ban it, and the Home
Minister insists we have a “national debate” around the issue.
Some commentators have spoken out on the
issue, arguing the freedom to wear what we want in public needs to be
respected. Simon Jenkins rightly explains a national debate is mirroring
the actions of states like France, who made a national decision on the
issue. If women wearing the niqaab were committing more crime, if such a
garment was genuinely linked to security threats, or if it was
counteracting integration, I’d be among the first to support a national
debate about the issue. Let’s be honest: as it stands, it just makes us
feel a bit uncomfortable.
The majority of Islamic thought
describes the niqaab as an additional act of worship, and this has meant
different things to women in different lands over time. In the end,
women are left to make their own choices about the way they choose to
dress, and the results of using our intellect is reflected in the
diversity of clothing Muslim women wear on the streets of Britain today.
We can’t hide from the fact that some women choose to wear the niqaab,
nor should we desire to. What we fail to understand is that this simple
act, which causes no harm, is an act of attempted integration. People
who stay at home all day and don’t interact with people need to give no
thought to what they wear, simply because they are not in the public
eye. The niqaab, which is an act of worship, is also the mechanism by
which some Muslim women create the right conditions for themselves to
interact in, experience and contribute to their societies. Living in a
country where the majority of the population is not Muslim, such a
decision does not come lightly, and reveals a strength, passion and
commitment to their values. Being denied the right to dress how they
want, these valuable women will simply retreat from the society which
will only benefit from them being active within it. There are certain
situations which allow for Muslims to compromise their position on
issues, for example, a woman being seen by a male doctor, but beyond
exceptional circumstances, they will not compromise. Why should they?
Liberal arguments in favour of banning
the niqaab centre on protecting the freedom of women, and emancipating
us. Such a stance would stand strong in a society where the niqaab is a
symbol and tool of oppression. It makes little sense that such a tool of
oppression would be worn publicly by women who are out doing things –
working, shopping taking children to school, addressing conferences,
changing the world… Again, if it was proved that the niqaab is forced
upon women and used to oppress them, I would be among the first to call
for a national debate. Admittedly there are cases in the World where the
niqaabl is misused, but I think we would struggle to think of any form
of practice or idea that hasn’t been misused for personal gain at some
point. Those issues need addressing differently.
