The Muslim News

Hearld:

Letters

JACK Straw's remarks are simply a continuation of Labour's recent policy of telling Muslims how to live their lives and how to practise their religion. Just last week we had John Reid telling Muslim parents how to raise their children and now we have Jack Straw telling Muslim women what they should or should not wear.

If Mr Straw is finding it uncomfortable and difficult to communicate with women who wear the veil, then the failure lies with him. Instead of blaming Muslim women, who are simply practising their faith, he should try to understand why they choose to wear the veil. His attitude epitomises the current culture of arrogance surrounding the Labour Party.

This summer a research study by academics at Glasgow University revealed that Muslims have integrated well into Scottish society and great racial harmony exists in Scotland between communities. Perhaps the Labour Party should take a note out of Scotland's book when it comes to building and maintaining "positive relations" between communities.

I am very surprised that a man with Jack Straw's experience does not understand that his constituents are not there to serve him or pander to his requests, but rather that he has been elected to serve his constituents in an effective and wholehearted matter, regardless of what they are wearing. As the councillor for Pollokshields East, and hopefully as an MSP next year, I will do my utmost to represent the views and concerns of my constituents, regardless of what they wear.

Councillor Bashir Ahmad, Glasgow City Council

ISLAM has been under siege since 9/11. But so far only extremists of the right and the left have been criticising and demonising Islam openly. A senior cabinet member, Jack Straw's attack on Islamic culture and traditions is a new phenomenon. His abandoning of all caution and compunction, while depending heavily upon Muslim votes for his election, and publicly criticising the veil, augurs a new ominous trend.

His argument that he wants to see the face of the person he is talking to does not make sense. When one talks to someone the focus normally is on the other person's eyes, and in the case of a Muslim woman wearing the veil, her eyes are always uncovered, hence the person-to-person contact is there. And how does he feel when one of his constituents seeks his help on the telephone or by email?

After the introduction of draconian terrorism laws to oppress Muslims, this appears to be the beginning of a campaign to rid the Muslims of their traditions. After the veil, it might be the turn of the scarf to go, then the beard, the turban, the baggy trousers and the long gown, to rid Muslims of their identity. It may not even end at that. After the Muslims, it might be the Sikhs, the Jews and other religious minorities who would be made to shed their different appearance and apparels "to conform to the British way of life". Eventually the well-known saying about the eradication of minorities by the German Nazis will come true . . . then they came for me and there was no-one left to speak for me.

Bashir Maan, 8 Riverview Gardens, Glasgow

JACK Straw is to be congratulated on having the courage to raise the issue of Muslim women wearing the veil when they visit his surgery. His comments will no doubt be severely criticised in some quarters as being racist but this and the wider issue of Muslim integration into our society needs to be addressed.

When multiculturalism was first mooted, we did not think it would mean we could not send Christmas cards in case it caused offence, that a policeman would be excused duty as he did not like the assignment, or that Muslims would be treated more or less favourably than the rest of the population. Muslims and other ethnic groups should be integrating into our society and failure to do so will lead to greater racial tension.

J S Morrison, 1 Arran Drive, Kirkintilloch

HOW disappointed I was to read of Jack Straw's comment re Muslim women wearing their traditional veil. He says he feels uncomfortable and has asked them to remove this when they visit his office. I wondered if he does the same to his Blackburn constituents when they visit his office wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses? I have always been led to believe that the eyes tell you everything.

Lorna Wood, Rosewood Avenue, Paisley

IT IS hardly surprising that Jack Straw's request that Muslim women should remove their veil has caused a storm. By way of justification, he has apparently said that the veil is "a visible statement of separation and difference". What about us Scots who wear the kilt? Is that his reaction when he sees us? When I have my kilt on, I feel a sense of pride in my country and regard it as a proud display of my nationality. Certainly it is different but that is not in any way a challenge or threat to anyone else.

What is wrong about being different? I do hope that Jack Straw and his Labour Party friends are not going to make it compulsory for us all to wear grey suits.

Graeme Pagan,
Neaveton, Rowan Road, Oban.

I FIND it intimidating to interact with men dressed in the formal garb of suit and tie. I wonder if Jack Straw would be prepared to dress differently in order to accommodate my prejudices?

John Eoin Douglas, 7 Spey Terrace, Edinburgh

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