As an uproar is brewing across Europe on the ban of the face-veil, Irish imams are calling for respect of religious freedom, urging European Muslims to positively contribute to their societies to clear misconceptions.
“While there is no problem with the niqab in Ireland, it is something which is being debated in many places right now,” Ali Selim, Secretary-General of the Irish Council of Imams, told The Irish Times Saturday, February 6.
Several European countries have been gripped by a heated debate on banning the Muslim veil.
A French parliamentary panel recommended last month slapping a partial ban on face-veils in hospitals, schools, public transport and government offices.
The Italian government is also debating a law to ban the veil.
Similar debates are also heating up in Denmark and Germany to ban the Muslim outfit.
The Irish Imams urged European countries to respect the right of Muslim women to wear what suit them.
They said in a statement that calls for face-veil ban violate personal freedoms guaranteed by democratic systems.
Such a ban would also constitute an obstacle to multiculturalism, integration and human rights, they warned.
While hijab is an obligatory code of dress for Muslim women, the majority of Muslim scholars agree that a woman is not obliged to wear the face-veil.
Scholars believe it is up to women to decide whether to take on the veil or burqa.
Positive Role
The Irish Imams called on European Muslims make positive contributions to their societies to help clear misconceptions.
“Muslims are the minority in most countries,” Selim said.
“[They] are therefore faced with many challenges and how they deal with these is important.”
Islam, the world's second biggest religion after Christianity, is widely seen as Europe's fastest growing faith.
However, European Muslims have been facing ferocious smearing attacks by rightist groups, amid efforts to restrict their religious rights.
In November, Swiss voters backed an initiative by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to ban mosque minarets in the country.
Calls have also been growing in Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands to ban the minaret construction.
Opposition is also growing in Denmark over plans to build the first two large mosques in the capital Copenhagen.
Ireland is home to some 50,000 Muslims, making up about 1 percent of the total population.
“While there is no problem with the niqab in Ireland, it is something which is being debated in many places right now,” Ali Selim, Secretary-General of the Irish Council of Imams, told The Irish Times Saturday, February 6.
Several European countries have been gripped by a heated debate on banning the Muslim veil.
A French parliamentary panel recommended last month slapping a partial ban on face-veils in hospitals, schools, public transport and government offices.
The Italian government is also debating a law to ban the veil.
Similar debates are also heating up in Denmark and Germany to ban the Muslim outfit.
The Irish Imams urged European countries to respect the right of Muslim women to wear what suit them.
They said in a statement that calls for face-veil ban violate personal freedoms guaranteed by democratic systems.
Such a ban would also constitute an obstacle to multiculturalism, integration and human rights, they warned.
While hijab is an obligatory code of dress for Muslim women, the majority of Muslim scholars agree that a woman is not obliged to wear the face-veil.
Scholars believe it is up to women to decide whether to take on the veil or burqa.
Positive Role
The Irish Imams called on European Muslims make positive contributions to their societies to help clear misconceptions.
“Muslims are the minority in most countries,” Selim said.
“[They] are therefore faced with many challenges and how they deal with these is important.”
Islam, the world's second biggest religion after Christianity, is widely seen as Europe's fastest growing faith.
However, European Muslims have been facing ferocious smearing attacks by rightist groups, amid efforts to restrict their religious rights.
In November, Swiss voters backed an initiative by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to ban mosque minarets in the country.
Calls have also been growing in Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands to ban the minaret construction.
Opposition is also growing in Denmark over plans to build the first two large mosques in the capital Copenhagen.
Ireland is home to some 50,000 Muslims, making up about 1 percent of the total population.
