religious symbols

Whilst in UK the subject of women wearing the niqab hit the headlines. I found it absolutely amazing that a few women wearing this veil should be viewed as a threat to community relations and the integration of people from different backgrounds and culture. The popular media just hyped it all up to make it look as if the country was going to be overwhelmed by women dressed with this covering.

Personally I do not like to see women dress in this way as I find it quite intimidating, but if they wish to do so it is their right, but they have to be ready to accept that employers have rights too. If I were living in the UK I would certainly not wish my child to be educated by a covered woman and the school that sacked the teacher wearing the niqab was perfectly within their rights. I wonder if she wore the niqab when she was interviewed?

As for the British Airways woman suspended for wearing a cross, that is another media hype. BA has a rule that employees are not allowed to wear necklaces, bracelets, rings (apart from wedding and engagement rings) etc outside their uniforms. A BBC newscaster has been allowed to wear her cross after much discussion.

So, should we all wear what we want? I don't think so, but it is not something that can be legislated. T