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17/10/2006
Blair comments on Muslim veil row
Prime Minister Tony Blair has entered the row over Muslim women wearing full-face veils by calling the garments "a mark of separation" in society.
Speaking at his monthly press conference at Downing Street, the Prime Minister said that the sight of such garments made people outside the Muslim community feel uncomfortable.
Mr Blair said that a debate was needed on how the Muslim community integrated into British society. He said: "Difficult though these issues are, I think they have to be raised and confronted and dealt with."
The row began two weeks ago when Commons leader Jack Straw revealed that he asked female constituents to remove their veils when they visited his office.
Regarding the case of Aishah Azmi, a language support worker who was suspended from Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury for refusing to remove her veil, Mr Blair said that he supported the local education authority's handling of the case.
Ms Azmi had been asked to remove her veil because pupils found it difficult to understand what she was saying.
(KMcA)
Speaking at his monthly press conference at Downing Street, the Prime Minister said that the sight of such garments made people outside the Muslim community feel uncomfortable.
Mr Blair said that a debate was needed on how the Muslim community integrated into British society. He said: "Difficult though these issues are, I think they have to be raised and confronted and dealt with."
The row began two weeks ago when Commons leader Jack Straw revealed that he asked female constituents to remove their veils when they visited his office.
Regarding the case of Aishah Azmi, a language support worker who was suspended from Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury for refusing to remove her veil, Mr Blair said that he supported the local education authority's handling of the case.
Ms Azmi had been asked to remove her veil because pupils found it difficult to understand what she was saying.
(KMcA)
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24 November 2006
Muslim veil row woman sacked
A Muslim teaching assistant who was suspended from her job for failing to remove her veil in class has been sacked. Aishah Azmi had been suspended on full pay earlier by Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, after she was asked to remove her veil while in the classroom.
Muslim veil row woman sacked
A Muslim teaching assistant who was suspended from her job for failing to remove her veil in class has been sacked. Aishah Azmi had been suspended on full pay earlier by Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, after she was asked to remove her veil while in the classroom.
13 October 2006
Straw addresses veil controversy in Blackburn
The leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, is meeting constituents for the first time after writing an article in the Lancashire Telegraph stating Muslim women covering their faces do not contribute to better relations in the UK. Mr Straw sparked controversy when he asked Muslim women at his Blackburn office to consider removing their veils.
Straw addresses veil controversy in Blackburn
The leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, is meeting constituents for the first time after writing an article in the Lancashire Telegraph stating Muslim women covering their faces do not contribute to better relations in the UK. Mr Straw sparked controversy when he asked Muslim women at his Blackburn office to consider removing their veils.
02 March 2005
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
19 July 2005
PM meets with senior Muslim leaders
Prime Minister Tony Blair has met with a group of senior Muslim leaders to discuss the issue of terrorism, in the aftermath of the London bombings.
PM meets with senior Muslim leaders
Prime Minister Tony Blair has met with a group of senior Muslim leaders to discuss the issue of terrorism, in the aftermath of the London bombings.
08 December 2006
Blair defends tolerance, conformity and equality
The Prime Minister, today, in a major speech delivered in Downing Street has called on those entering the UK to be tolerant and to conform to British standards. But Mr Blair cautioned that this "open" attitude would be protected and would be defended. He said: "Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain.
Blair defends tolerance, conformity and equality
The Prime Minister, today, in a major speech delivered in Downing Street has called on those entering the UK to be tolerant and to conform to British standards. But Mr Blair cautioned that this "open" attitude would be protected and would be defended. He said: "Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
