Posted on 12/25/2006 8:04:56 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Veiled British Muslim woman delivers alternative Xmas message
36 minutes ago
A Muslim woman in a full-face veil went head-to-head on television with Queen Elizabeth II, delivering an alternative Christmas Day message on religious integration.
At the same time the 80-year-old monarch's Christmas message to Britain and the Commonwealth was broadcast, a woman known only as Khadijah spoke on Channel 4 television Monday about why she wore the niqab in public and called for tolerance.
"We are seen as oppressed. Since I've started covering I feel much more liberated, which I know a lot of people possibly won't be able to understand," she said.
"I don't wear the niqab to separate myself from society. I want to be part of this society -- this is where I choose to live. I hope that society is more accepting of my personal choice. It's not about separation."
Khadijah's appearance comes amid a debate about the extent of religious and ethnic integration following last year's home-grown Islamist extremist suicide attacks in London.
The row intensified in October when former foreign secretary Jack Straw said he asks Muslim women to remove their veils when they visit him in his constituency, saying it helped communication.
Prime Minister Tony Blair then called the veil a "mark of separation" between communities.
Khadijah -- who converted to Islam a decade ago and said she is the great-granddaughter of a suffragette who fought for women's right to vote -- said Straw's comments were not helpful.
But she also said that Britain was the best country for people to practise their religion freely.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I have always noted that the burqua is not too much different than a nun's habits.
Of course there are people out there that want to dress like this. There are all types of people out there. Plenty of women want to dress like this- you can believe it.
I'm talking about what SHE said--that it was freedom for her to be veiled like that. My comments were about her, nothing you had said. M
Same to you, jennyscool. We did have a great day, had friends over for dinner and it was a nice quiet day--first time in our married life that we stayed home on Christmas. Love, Mxxx
Aah. Never mind then. When you said 'whatever floats your boat' I thought you were talking about me. Miscommunication / misinterpretation. All is well.
Yep. Nothing for either of us to get our panties in a twist. Happy New Year!
Err..I don't wear panties. For a change maybe, but I find panties don't have enough room in the front for me. Happy New Year to you too.
I can remember a time when I wore jockey shorts. MUCH more comfortable than 'panties.'
This is NOT in our future....it is here now.
In my city in Southern California fully veiled women walk the streets every day. Little girls are in veils too. Going to public school in veils.
One woman in particular has only the merest slit for her eyes, she wears gloves. It's impossible to tell if she's black or white that's how complete it is.
No, the future is now.
I am a GUY, is what I meant.
Yeah, I figured that...LOL
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