The Muslim News - Veil and deaf people
Religion and religious rights (and wrongs and slights) are very sensitive grounds. But to steer clear of them is to take the cowardly way out, and to engage in constructive, rational and intelligent debate and discussion with regard to such issues makes for a better world.
Of course, it needs sensitive, understanding and reasonable people in the discusssion to take things work.
My personal stance: I support the right of Muslim women to wear the tudang (as the headscarf is called here in Singapore). Veils? A tougher issue to take a stand on. As always, there are absolutes and there are exceptions, and I say there are specific cases where veils - which cover the face - can be cause for concern. For purposes of identification, for example, especially so when it comes to security considerations. However, there should no discrimmination in all other situations, as when security is not a issue.
Having watched numerous news reports regarding Muslim women claiming they are fully approachable and able to fully communicate whilst wearing the veil, I would like to dispute this, as quite obviously they must only be referring to those with exceptional hearing. Therefore are the Muslim community deliberately constructing barriers?
