Do you think British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was in the right?

Question

Do you think British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was in the right when he insisted Muslim women who speak to him remove their veil from their face?

Do you feel it is a violation of their rights or do you feel Jack has every right?

Answer 1

Well, a devout Muslim woman will choose to not speak to Mr. Straw rather than to remove the veil. I'm quite sure that Mr. Straw is well aware of that. I think that his request barely conceals a distaste for the religion and its followers. I think that he'd prefer to not have to deal with Muslims at all. By making such a request, he is sending a clear message to followers of Islam that he isn't very impressed with them. As such, I doubt that they will be lining up to meet with him. That is indeed his right, even if it isn't politically correct or tolerant in any way. However, he is showing disrespect or disregard for the rules/customs of Islam by making this request. So, from that viewpoint, he isn't right but again, he has the right to  express his wishes. I hope that this makes sense.

Answer 2

Well, he asked that veiled women (of all faiths) removed their veil when they came to speak with him at his constituency office.

Personally, I think that if you enter someone's home/workspace then you should abide by their rules. My grandmother would not have anyone wearing a hat in her house - it needed to be taken off. Similarly if I visit a local mosque or buddhist shrine, it is required that you remove your shoes.

There is nothing in the holy texts of Islam that require women to wear veils or cover up - it's something that's enforced by the males of the religion since early times. In the same way, there is no part of the Torah that requires Orthodox Jews to grow their sideburns and wear specific clothing. It's doctirine, rather than scripture.

I think Jack Straw is a fair, decent person who has the right to request that you remove your veil, shoes or hat if you want to enter his office.

Answer 3

I believe it is a violation of their rights. i'm sure he can respect their way of life, just for the small amount of time they are speaking to him.

he may not appreciate speaking to someone and not being able to see their face, but he should think about it from their point of view. this is, after all, something a woman could lose her life over. revealing her face in public to men she does not know.