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November 22, 2005

UK: Imperial College Bans Islamic Veils

The Independent announces that Imperial College, London, one of the most prestigious universities in Britain has banned students wearing Islamic veils and also "hoodies", claiming security issues are more important.

The college, which is one of country's top 19 research institutes, has said via a spokesman that since the terrorism attacks over summer, security needs now dictate that students must show their faces at all times. The ban was intended to combat thefts, as well as activities of animal rights activists as much as combatting terrorism. The college says that students must also carry their ID cards at all times.

K.A. Mitcheson, college secretary, wrote to all students "the ability of members of staff and students to confirm the identity of any stranger ... they find in a building is an essential element of the security process."

The ban does not extend to religious items such as turbans, skullcaps or the hijab (the Muslim headscarf). Hooded tops however are out- as they prevent easy identification of an individual, as proved by the street attacks across Britain where no-one ever seems to get charged. The only item of Muslim dress which is now forbidden is the nikab, and obviously the burka.

The burka is rarely worn by any students, but as reported in this Sunday's Observer, the nikab (niqab) is becoming increasingly popular among younger Muslim women as a statement of "religious identity, individual rights and even, in some cases, female emancipation".

The nikab is a veil which fits around the head, leaving only a slit through which the eyes of a woman can be seen. The Observer quotes Rahmanara Chowdhury, a part-time teacher in Louhborough who says: "It serves as a reminder that I'm Muslim and it helps me get close to God. Since wearing the niqab, I've become a lot more confident. Once you're covered up, people are forced to judge you not as you look as a woman but on your character."

Yes, and pigs are flying over the horizon right now. I suppose it is possible to convince oneself of anything, if one tries hard enough.

The student's union at Imperial College believe that the carrying of ID cards is against civil liberties, and states that ID cards can be easily forged. The reaction is pretty typical from a student's union. I did research in the libraries at Imperial College during the 1980s and the college is a great place for enlightenment. It would be a shame to think it could be at risk for the sake of appeasing some pseudo-Trotskyite playing politics in a student union.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 22, 2005 9:22 PM

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