Religious Freedom Under Attack In The U.K.

Included in the manifesto of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP) is the proposal to ban the wearing of full veils (e.g. the burqa and niqab) within the public sphere.  Speaking to the BBC on the matter, Paul Nuttall, leader of the UKIP, stated that the veils pose a security risk while also standing as a barrier to full integration of Islamic women within British society.

Residents of the U.K. are quick to point out the problems inherent within such a ban.  London resident Marwa, who told the BBC that it was her individual choice to wear a hijab, pointed out that the ban is likely to make “Muslims feel further excluded and alienated” within British society.  Another U.K. resident, Nazif, stated that while he does not support the wearing of the burqa, he nonetheless respects the right of Islamic women to choose whether they wear the veil.  But not all are against the idea.  Lichfield resident Brian agreed with Nuttall’s statement that the veils pose a security risk while reminding the BBC and its audience that people “can’t go into a bank or building society wearing a crash helmet or other ‘western’ headgear that covers the face.”

Of course, a crash helmet is not a religious item, and to say that the burqa does not allow women to fully integrate into society is to state an opinion.  Though it is difficult to ascertain who is and who is not wearing the burqa voluntarily, there are undoubtedly women who do choose to wear such veils and they have a right to practice their religion as they see fit.  That burqas can make elements within western society uncomfortable is undeniable, but discomfiture is not a valid reason to limit religious freedom.  Nor is it clear just how a ban on the veils will help promote security.  There is a possibility that the ban is a political maneuver that allows politicians to be visibly addressing the supposed threat of Islam, catering to right-wing elements as well as those who believe Islam is a threat to western society.

Britain is only the latest European country to jump on the burqa-ban bandwagon.  France was the first country to take steps to ban the burqa and other full veils in 2011.  According to the BBC, regions in Italy, Spain, and Germany have also banned the coverings in recent years as have the countries of Russia, Turkey, and Switzerland.  Other European countries, such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, and Belgium have banned the wearing of religious items, most notably veils, for certain public servants or within the public sphere.  Though the burqa and niqab are unique to Islam, religious head coverings are not (i.e. the nun’s habit in Christianity and the yarmulke in Judaism).  The reasons for the wearing of such coverings are found in the Quran, but, as with most religious writings, the Quran is open to interpretation; while the holy book does mention the wearing of veils for modesty and to help differentiate between men and women, it does not state directly what exact form the veil must take.  This vagueness has allowed local traditions and cultures to shape how and in what form Muslim women wear the veil.

It remains to be seen whether the British parliament will ban the burqa, but, given the precedence of such bans within Europe, it is likely that the issue will get the support it needs.  This route, however, is likely only to help widen the gulf between Muslims and non-Muslims, creating further hostility between the two groups and therefore increase security concerns.  More importantly, this attack on religious freedom is a setback that could have far-reaching consequences for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

S.M. Ellison
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