New Zealand, July 06: More education on Islamic culture is being recommended in New Zealand, following the case of a woman who was denied entry to a bus because she was wearing a burqa.
Afifia Chida from the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand told TV ONE’s Breakfast the incident could act as a spark for more integration.
“I think the silver lining in the cloud is that we can now bring it out into the open and educate the public,” she said.
“It could be a lack of education about the burqa, or the veil may have led to their reaction.”
She said while New Zealand has been the most tolerant country she has visited, Islamic women should be able to wear a veil if they choose to.
“If someone feels comfortable wearing the face veil, and they’re happy to wear it, and they feel as if it is their choice, then no-one should have the ability to say that shouldn’t happen,” she said.
“It’s seen as a symbol of oppression these days and unfortunately the reputation it has is that ‘men force the ladies to wear it’ which in my opinion is just funny because everyone I know who wears the face veil does so because they want to and they truly believe in it.
“They wear it to protect their beauty and my understanding is they feel more comfortable when they cover their face.”
The Head of Auckland University’s Islamic Studies Research Unit Dr Zain Ali told Breakfast the issue of the veil is becoming divisive in other parts of the world.
“You have Muslim values and western values, and with the hijab (head covering) it goes in two different directions, he said.
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“In France the Government has decided to draw a line in the sand and say the hijab is ‘not something we can accommodate with french values and either you stand with us or you really have to move on’.”
Ali said the recent case in Australia where a burqa-wearing woman escaped conviction for assaulting a police officer – because she couldn’t be identified – was a misuse of the clothing.
“The covering is an expression of modesty and piety and good things, and in this situation it was used to circumvent the law which is appalling,” he said.
Mixed reaction
The issue has drawn a strong response on the tvnz.co.nz messageboard.
One commentator Godsown, claimed Muslims in New Zealand are given better treatment than Kiwis get in Islamic countries.
“We are non Muslims and we worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 5 years,” he said.
“My wife was forced to wear the Burkha even though we were not muslims. If she did not wear it we stood the risk of deportation. If Saudi Arabia insists that all visitors have to adhere to its rules and regulations including its strict dress codes, it is a laugh when they raise objections if people in another country do the same.”
Another post, from Tute, supported the claims the bus drivers were intimidated by the burqa.
“I am sure most women wearing Muslim veils are very nice,” they wrote, “but I am sorry I feel threatened and intimidated.
“I read people by their faces! I feel they should do what we do here in NZ or go home.”
Others who wrote in felt that New Zealand should have a more tolerant stance.
“If a woman chooses to cover her face for her beliefs, as long as she is not forced to do so, then it is her free choice,” 71girl said.
“She should accept however, the fact that it is not her personal beliefs that people find threatening.”
Another person supported the call for more education about Islamic beliefs.
“To all muslim women keep your head up, let no one take your pride away,” Nojokes wrote.
“To bus drivers/owners – please go for intensive inter cultural relationship training! How can you be so insensitive while doing a public service job? Educate yourself of different religions and cultures maybe it will give you all an eye opener.”
–Agencies