[jambutty]

Originally Posted by blazey

I dont have a Qu'ran in front of me i'm afraid, but I have many muslim female friends who have explained the reasoning behind it. Not all custom and tradition is written into the bible, just like catholic women used to have veils over their heads in church. Nothing about it in the catholic bible as far as I've ever seen yet it was done.

Who's place is it to criticise another cultures beliefs? Dont we whinge when other cultures alledgedly criticise our christmas and say we cant have 'christmas lights' and all that rubbish? I've never met a muslim who's agreed with that, yet i think its a disgrace how many people simply just dont want them to wear it because they cant think of a better solution, IF there is even a problem to be solved.

I notice that the magistrate in question has been ‘re-trained’.

“When in Rome” springs to mind blazey.

The accused and any witnesses giving evidence must have their faces visible so that the emotion expressed in the face is visible to the bench when being cross examined. Hidden behind a veil the accused or witness could be lying in their teeth and no one would know. Juries would certainly want to see the face of the witness and accused.

Imagine if the magistrate was a Muslim women? Would she be allowed to wear a veil whilst on the bench? Would the council for defence or prosecution be allowed to wear a veil? Would any of the court officials be allowed to wear a veil? They might in a Muslim court but such a court has no legal standing in this country even if the Muslims are trying to establish their own courts.

It will be interesting to see what happens if a Muslim woman is called for jury service and turns up fully veiled.