In the case of the young girl who has been forbidden from wearing a hijab in school, I would not wish to be too unfair on the school which apparently has been very fair in it's dress code and the headteacher of which is apparently muslim. However, I hope the UK doesn't abandon it's traditional flexibility in legal matters to go down the french road of stubborn intolerance. Proof of UK flexibility can be seen in the fact, that despite uniforms still being the rule (whereas they no longer exist in France), this case is the first high profile case of a problem arising with a religious item of clothing in the UK. I didn't go beyond primary education in Britain, and my school had no muslims as far as I remember. However, is it rare for muslim girls to wear a headscarf to school in the UK? I would appreciate any input on this matter. Input from citizens of any other country is also welcome (including members of the commonwealth...).
Thanks for that TS.I think it's quite clear those who protest most loudly about
RépondreSupprimerthis issue are not truly for equqlity. This is particularly clear in France, where the opposition to 'religious symbols' is in reality an opposition to muslim symbols.
I didn't read about the march. I'll check it out. Cheers.
RépondreSupprimerCan't talk for the (disgracefully racist) North, where there aren't many Muslims, but in Dundee, my home town in central Scotland where there is a large Muslim population, many schoolgirls wear a simple headscarf, usually with the "traditional" iPod white earphone cords appearing from within the scarf, and many wear nothing on their head, in or out of school.
RépondreSupprimerI have never heard of problems over a schools uniform code there.
From what I have observed, few adults wear full hijab either, preferring a simple headscarf, and faces are rarely covered.
Generally the traditional flexibility is still there, and the case you refer to was, I think, an exception, and not as clear-cut as it may sound.
At least in Scotland, we certainly aren't going the way of France.
Colcam, interesting you note the difference between full hijab and simple headscarf. Here in France, there is no difference:if it's religious, it's forbidden. The republic sees itself as defender of the anti-clerical faith. I must make it clear, I am agnostic.
RépondreSupprimerThanks for that, Jez. I had assumed the French position concerned only the full hijab.
RépondreSupprimerSeems a bit harsh and not terribly sensible to me.
And put me down as an agnostic with strong athiest overtones, if there's such a thing.
I am opposed to any kind of extremism, be it religious or political. Anti-clericalism is often as bad as religious fanaticism.
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