Muslim student barred from UK college for refusing to remove burka.
Miss Bilqes, 18, was forced to abandon plans to study at Burnley College after being told she could not enrol unless she removed the head-to-toe garment.
Miss Bilqes response:
Miss Bilqes, of Stoneyholme, Burnley, said: “It is my choice to wear the veil. I live around the corner from the college in an area where there are so many practising Muslims.
“I tried to compromise but they wouldn’t. The college sent me a latter to say I could continue with my course if I stopped wearing the veil.
“We are in the 21st Century and we get people from all walks of life. I’m in the police cadets as well and yet it’s not a problem wearing the veil there.”
The college’s explanation:
“We are determined to maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning in Burnley College. To do this effectively requires unimpeded communication from the teacher to all students, from the students to the teacher and between student and student.
“It is not possible to maintain this essential full communication of the face of any student is not fully visible.
plimfix 2:24 pm on October 24, 2009 Permalink |
The college’s argument are simply echoing arguments by government minister Jack Straw, who stirred up controversy a while back by stating in print that he wouldn’t talk to veil-wearing Muslim women at his MP’s clinic unless they removed their veil. Independent columnist and comedian Mark Steel wondered if Jack raised his concerns over the veil when he met the Saudis.