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Has The Far Right Hijacked The `Niqab' Debate in Europe and UK
First Published: 2015-07-02 07:16:26
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The wearing of the niqab has been debated in Europe for the last two decades. More recently, it has become the topic of political rhetoric of the Far Right and Liberal society, especially in the UK and France.
Some of the more serious issues around Muslim women wearing face-coverings, such as the niqab, are as broad as matters that focus on ‘gender equality’, the ‘perceived Islamization of Western identities’, ‘security risks’ and ‘threats of terrorism’, as well as the perceived coercion of some Muslim men in more strict, patriarchal societies, such as in Wahabist countries like Saudi Arabia.
In contrast to the religious conformity of some Middle Eastern countries- where wearing face-coverings is often proscribed and enshrined in law and obligatory in most aspects of daily life- in European nations, individuals enjoy relative religious and cultural freedom and the law tends to focus on social conduct rather than religious observance.
In Europe, those who say that they align themselves to the views of liberal and secularist society also largely believe that antiquated notions of patriarchy and gender inequality are valid reasons for being prescriptive in regard to the wearing of the veil in public spaces. The argument goes, that prescription should apply if wearing the veil appears to disempower a Muslim woman’s right to self-determination, autonomy and full participation in mainstream society (See Dr Sarah Wollaston, MP’s recent tweets, September 2013).
In a particular reference to young girls in school, Wollaston, a British, Conservative MP, suggests that she believes the veil is a barrier to communication, which can drastically affect equal participation in ‘an open, modern society’ and that schools have a duty to prepare young people for participation in wider society.
In analysing Dr Wollaston’s comments further, it could also be argued that by suggesting young girls should not be wearing the veil in schools; young girls are placed at a disadvantage and may be ill-prepared for participation in society- which, if that was the intended meaning of the comment- could also mean Wollaston’s comment is biased to a more feminist viewpoint- and the wearing of the head or face-covering is not conducive with an ‘open, modern and secular society’- in which men and women are equal.
However, the fact is, that many women who do wear the veil, choose to do so to set themselves apart from the mainstream of society, in asserting their own sense of identity in affirmation of their Islamic commitment.
Interestingly, and until more recently, it has been women who account for the majority of Muslim converts in the UK.
In Europe, the tradition of separation of state and religion goes a long way back; religion is considered a private matter that should not enter into the public sphere.
The French ban on the veil wearing in public, for example, is a clear delineation and an assertion of secularism over freedom and right of religious expression.
Indeed, former president, Nicolas Sarkozy is on record as having stated publicly, that the veil has no place in French society. Other European countries are to follow suit, and I have no doubt that this will result in further marginalization of the Muslim presence in Europe; and entrenchment of a perceived persecuted, minority consciousness.
That more and more women are choosing to wear the head-coverings, would seem to suggest that they are happy to live outside apparent models of uniformity.
As in Australia and the US, it is members of Far Right organizations in Europe, who have hijacked the niqab debate and assert that Muslims must always conform to Western notions of society and cultural identity.
They (the Far Right) argue that this is because Europe (and the West) is slowly being Islamized, that Muslims are synonymous with terrorism; and therefore, pose a security risk to the safety of Europeans.
It is those linked or associated with the Far Right, such as UKIP, the BNP, EDL,and the PVV, also perceive Islam as a threat, considering the veil ‘an affront to European values’ and identity.
Tommy Robinson, after his departure from EDL and new leadership role of Pegida UK, has continued to restate his view and belief that the niqab should be banned in all public places.
This conflict, between Western notions of religion against secularism, freedom against oppression, and what is often a private and personal choice against acceptable norms in the public space, continues to represent a modern power struggle to suppress Islamic/ Muslim identity in general, and protect an increasingly, fragmented European/ Western conception of identity.
