A British Muslim Mother was banned from a Meeting over a Veil

Although Britain has not introduced a full ban on face veils, unlike France, against veil practices take place in the British society every now and then.

As a living example, a British mother was banned from a college parents’ meeting because she was a veiled Muslim.

Maroon Rafique was refused to enter Manchester College as the staff told her that her face covering in not allowed. Mrs. Rafique had to phone her husband Abdul, to replace her in the parents’ meeting with their 18-year-old son Awais, while she sat in the lobby of the campus.

Officials at Manchester College said that all students and visitors are asked to keep their faces visible for “safety and security” reasons.

Mrs. Rafique, 40, who has worn the full veil for seven years, said,

“I’m born in this country and British. Why should what I wear offend anyone? I didn’t want to make any fuss. All I wanted was to find out the information to help my son go to university. I offered to sit at the back or at the front, anywhere where I wouldn’t be seen, if they thought I was going to offend anyone. I was really upset because whenever I’ve visited the college before and there’s never been a problem; in fact the tutors have been welcoming and friendly.”

Mrs. Rafique added, “I do get abuse every now and again in the street – which I just have to deal with. However, I was very surprised when I was treated this way by the college.”

Business student Awais said: “It was really embarrassing when they told her she couldn’t come in. We’ve never, ever been told about any rule about what parents can wear.”

A spokeswoman for Manchester College tried to defend this policy,

“The Manchester College provides a safe and inclusive environment that fosters development and achievement.” We apply a single dress code to all college users, including learners and visitors. At all times we need to be able to identify all individuals easily in order to maintain safety and security and therefore we ask that faces are clearly visible whilst indoors. Our dress code is reviewed through our quality improvement group and we will take this situation into account at the next review.”

In March, a British Muslim woman was barred from serving on a jury because she refused to remove her veil. The presiding judge told her that she could not sit on an attempted murder trial because her veil concealed her facial expressions.

The issue of face-covering veils has been debated all across Europe. Britain has showed the highest tolerance and respect to human freedom among the European countries. It refuse to ban face veil with some officials even saying that this is UN-British.

Today Islam is the second largest religion in the country. The Muslim Council of Britain says Muslims in Britain are about 2.5 million but only less than one per cent of Muslim women wear face veil.

Between 2001 and 2009, Islam was the fastest growing religion Britain, with the Muslim population increasing roughly 10 times faster than for the rest of society.

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