Wearing a burka does not prevent Muslim women ‘engaging in everyday life’ in Britain. Baroness Warsi defended the right of Muslim women to ‘choose’ to wear the burka.
She suggested that many Muslim women choose to wear the veil of their own free will. ‘Why should we tell women what to wear? What it boils down to is choice. If women don’t have a choice over what to wear then they are oppressed.
But if a woman has a choice, and she chooses to wear whatever she chooses to wear then she’s not oppressed is she? She’s choosing what she wants.’

Critics claim that the burka alienates Muslim women from the rest of society. But Lady Warsi said the burka did not act as a barrier in itself. She added: ‘There are women who wear the burka who run extremely successful businesses – internet businesses, which don’t actually require you to be there face to face.’I don't believe it's for the state to say what we can and cannot wear. Any woman who supports the burkha should wear one.

There is a social and economic pressure on Muslim women not to cover themselves with Hijab or Niqab. Syeda Warsi is a member of the Toy Cabinet becaus she does not cover herself with Hijab or Niqab. Only those Muslim women who are having post of responsibility are those who do not cover themselves. Only those Muslim women recieve OBE, who do not cover themselves. Banning the veil or blocking the building of minarets would alienate the Muslim community and threaten social cohesion. There is no need for the British Establishment to ban Niqab because it is a Munafiq society. Those westen European countries who have banned Niqab are Kaffir.

Some young Muslim feminists consider the hijab and niqab political symbols, a way of rejecting Western excesses such as binge drinking, casual sex and drug use. Which is more liberating: being judged on the length of your skirt and size of your breasts, or on your character and intelligence?

A careful reading of the Qur’an shows that just about everything Western feminists fought for in the 1970s was available 1,400 years ago to Muslim women, who are considered equal to men in spirituality, education and worth. When Islam offers women so much, why are Western men so obsessed with Muslim women’s attire? Even British government ministers Gordon Brown and John Reid have made disparaging remarks about the niqab, and they hail from Scotland, where men wear skirts.

“common sense” not to wear the niqab because it makes social relations “more difficult.” Nonsense. If this were the case, why are cell phones, e-mail, text messaging and fax machines in daily use?

Covering ones body up does not reduce their intelligence or physical and mental capabilties in running their home, raising their kids, getting a degree, making money, being an informed member of society or their social interaction with other fellow humans. The niqaab does not make them inferior.

Why are people reluctant to associate with us as willingly and openly as with other Muslim women who don't cover their face? We don't bite or are any different. Is is because they are afraid that we are more 'terroristically' inclinded because we choose to follow our religion more closely? On the contrary, people who follow their religions closely, any relgion, realize that they are under more obligation to uphold the sanctity of their faith under all circumstances and no religion teaches violence.

To make a long argument short , women who cover their face and observe Niqab, are as normal as anyone else. If we are the victims then we are indeed the victims of mass propoganda and false advertising againts Muslim women that has caused this breach of trust between us and the rest of the world.

We are very normal, we are very human and we are as intelligent as anyone else....the real beauty and inner strength lies within the mind. By wearing Hijab or niqab, a Muslim woman is able to confidentially project her opinions and ideas without having the pressure of being secretly or publicly critiqued of their body.

Today, our society encourages women to show off their bodies, and not show off their brains. Female models are often underweight, and the media tells us this is the way women should look like!! dont make me laugh!!!!
Iftikhar ahmad
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk/

Assalaamu alaykum,

Thank you for your thoughts and may Allah reward B Warsi for her defence of the niqaab.
This is a prime example of how politicians have become confused about their agenda and duties. Are they talking about integration? Then the niqaab wearing women are not the problem...perhaps language barriers, cultural practices etc are and one must be realistic in expecting immediate change in these areas.
If it is oppression, then Subhanallah I dont know any sister forced to wear the niqaab. Muslim men are encouraged to have geerah over their women (natural protection) and Muslim women enjoy feeling important and protected.
If it is a cultural matter then they have solely targetted the Muslims (and of course niqaabis are usually the more practising ones). There are many communities that segregate, eg the Jews who would not share food from others or even allow others into their homes. SO then that must be pointblank Islamaphobia.
A foul misunderstanding spiced with years of negative media attention and false association with terrorism has criminised the niqaabi without need. there are worse off people that should be judged and invested on.

British Government proudly present themselves in the world forum the champion of Human Rights why individual should be dictated how to dress up it is choice of individual what to wear, have muslims ever objected what other people wear if you want to take away the basic choice of human rights perhaps take everything away i.e. Equality, Human Rights and impose your rules on every one what to wear regardless of their gender, belief and religion.