"Britain Proposes Allowing Schools to Forbid Full-Face Muslim Veils" (3/21/07 p. A10)

I am not familiar with full-face veils worn by some women, simply because I don't see any or much of that in the United States. To me, if that is what they want to wear, thats their choice. I see it as the same as my own choosing what brand of jeans I want to wear.

An article entitled, "Britain Proposes Allowing Schools to Forbid Full-Face Muslim Veils," has two very clear arumentative sides to the issue. According to The Times, British authorities proposed new rules to allow schools to forbid Muslim students to wear full -face veils in class. I'm not overly familiar with the Muslim culuture, however, I am assuming that these veils are what some of these people wear. At this point in the issue, it is clearly unethical for schools to single out these minorities (which Britain doesn't have a very good relationship with in the first place) over other students. School officials should not be able to prevent students from wearing something that is part of their culture. It just isn't fair or right.

The full-face veil is known as a niqab. Prime Minister Tony Blair described the niqab as a "mark of separation" that made "other people from outside the community feel uncomfortable." I see it as the other way around. Because these Muslim students are wearing the veil and are treated differently, I see it as the ones that are feeling uncomfortable.

Ethics can be two sided with certain kinds of arguments present. The other side to this issue would be that teachers need to be able to distinguish who the students are. Schools need to be able to identify individual students in order to maintain good order and identify any intruders.

Maybe it is ethical that schools can prevent students from wearing a niqab for safety reasons. Our world is encountering a terroristic time and any chance to prevent terrorism needs to be taken seriously.

Proceeding the argument against wearing the veils, Jim Knight, the school's minister said that "While they should make every effort to accomodate social, religious or medical requirements of individual pupils, the needs of safety security and effective learning in the school must always take precedence."

I see that a basic dress code needs to put into effect. This would ensure that everyone wore the same thing and nobody would be left out. This of course, leads to taking away a piece of individuality, however, under these such circumstances making everyone look the same would seem like the most ethical measure of action.

Article by: ALAN COWELL