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How can secretary of Justice Jack Straw justify the pardon of Michael Shields?

Is it okay for Jack Straw to ask muslim women to remove their veils in his office?

  • Jack Straw, former foreign secretary to Blair and now head of the house of commons, representing constituents in Blackburn England, has said he asks women to remove their veils when speaking at his constituency office. He points out that a female assistant is always present. He has been quoted as saying he finds it hard to communicate with a person whose face is covered, and that he believes the veil is a sign of the dividedness in our society. What do people think about this?

  • Answer:

    I think it sucks that a former foreign secretary has a line of thinking along that wavelength. Having had contact with many cultures - I assume -, he should be open-minded enough to know that veils are culture-specific. What may be a symbol of oppression and dividedness for one specific culture context may not be for another culture. For many muslim women, the veil is actually a tool for empowerment - I am speaking based on statements made by muslim friends. The thing is it doesn't take a veil to make communications difficult. People without veils can just as effectively cause a communication divide. The fact that Jack Straw don't seem to realize this and doesn't even seem to be taking steps to learn about his perceived predicament is one manifestation of this. In the same manner, people with veils don't necessarily possess less effective listening skills. Besides, the veil is not exactly a human rights violation measure. All it takes is more understanding and a greater depth of listening instead of insisting on staying inside our own constructed boxes which we use to filter out what seems to be culturally ok and what doesn't seem to be.

Michelle H at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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I agree, nobody with a veil or mask would be allowed in my office.Screw that Bullshit.!

cyclops

Yes! As everyone else said, your land (as well as ours) is a free land. It is his office, he can make whatever rules he wants! If you don't like it, don't go to his office!

ihatehippies

I think the women should be allowed to wear their viels when they are in his office, but he should be allowed to wear one too. That will make it even.

Isis

Yes it's okay for him to ask. It's okay for them to say no, which they don't seem to have done when asked. Wearing a veil over the face is NOT mandated by the Islamic religion. It is a tradition in some sectors and communities. It is personal choice.

auld mom

He is totally right its his country and he can ask any one to abide the laws of his country They should ask them to open their face for security purpose, if they refuse ask them to go back to the place where their own foolish laws can be implemented. If they want to implant their shariah law ask them to do it in their countries not in UK or United States. First they beg visa officer for visas and when they get it they start behaving like stupid. These stupid Muslims are hypocrite they know very well that they are going to an advance country and even then they behave that they don’t know any thing

Eccentric

yes. i agree with him, 4 the first time in his political career i think he has a point.

Nutsters-Vex©

Muslim women wear the veil because their community does not allow them to uncover their faces to men other than immediate family. they can go out and enjoy working only by following this dict at. why should jack straw deny them their financial and personal freedom just because he finds it difficult? he can set standards while recruiting but not after wards. he should try practicing talking to the mirror with the lights switched off at night.

sumaravindran1958

Ok, first of all, that is in England, not America. Second, it is his office, and he can ask them to do whatever he wants. That said, I think it is disrespectful of him to ask that of his Muslim constituents.

ItsJustMe

Absolutely!!, this is america, the land of the free

One Big Daddy

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