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Muslim teacher defends her veil Muslim teacher defends her veil
(about 5 hours later)
A Muslim support teacher suspended for wearing a veil in class says it was never a problem for her pupils. A Muslim support teacher suspended for wearing a veil in class said it was never a problem for her pupils.
Headfield Church of England Junior School, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said pupils found it hard to understand her during English language lessons.Headfield Church of England Junior School, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said pupils found it hard to understand her during English language lessons.
But Aishah Azmi, 24, said: "They never complained." She added she was willing to take the veil off in class, but not in front of any male colleagues. But Aishah Azmi, 23, said: "They never complained." She added she was willing to take the veil off in class, but not in front of any male colleagues.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said he would like Muslims to give up the veil.London Mayor Ken Livingstone said he would like Muslims to give up the veil.
'Unacceptable' request'Unacceptable' request
But he suggested change was not something that could be imposed from outside the Muslim community.But he suggested change was not something that could be imposed from outside the Muslim community.
He said: ""People have fought for centuries to establish freedom of religion and culture. He said: "People have fought for centuries to establish freedom of religion and culture.
"It is the choice of each individual what they believe and what they wear. It is unacceptable for any politician to ask a woman coming to seek help to take off a Muslim veil or any other item of religious clothing." "It is the choice of each individual what they believe and what they wear."
Mr Livingstone said any change would happen from within, and that it was important to engage with "the progressive elements and leaders in the Muslim community". There are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated. . .it is time that people accept us Aishah Azmi href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4123&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20061010194311" class="">Send us your comments
It hasn't caused a problem between myself and the children Aishah Azmi Send us your comments
Ms Azmi was suspended pending the outcome of an employment tribunal, which is due to announce its decision within the next two weeks.Ms Azmi was suspended pending the outcome of an employment tribunal, which is due to announce its decision within the next two weeks.
Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class and refused, but the action was "nothing to do with religion", only a practical matter about making herself understood.Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class and refused, but the action was "nothing to do with religion", only a practical matter about making herself understood.
But Ms Azmi told Today: "It hasn't caused a problem between myself and the children. They've never complained and we had a brilliant relationship." But Ms Azmi told the BBC: "It hasn't caused a problem between myself and the children. They've never complained and we had a brilliant relationship."
She added: "To say the students have a problem with communication, that's not right."She added: "To say the students have a problem with communication, that's not right."
Disputing the school's version of events, she insisted she had always been willing to take off her veil in front of the children but would not in front of male colleagues.Disputing the school's version of events, she insisted she had always been willing to take off her veil in front of the children but would not in front of male colleagues.
'Koran instruction' She said she had taught in class without the veil when there were no males present.
She had been instructed to take it off throughout the school day, she said. The teaching assistant admitted she had not been wearing her veil when interviewed by a male member of school staff, but said she had not realised a man would be present.
"The veil is really important to all Muslim women who choose to wear it. Our religion compels us to wear it because it's in the Koran." She said: "The veil is really important to all Muslim women who choose to wear it. Our religion compels us to wear it because it's in the Koran.
Livingstone says engagement will bring change "There are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated. It is time that people accept us."
Ms Azmi insisted the veil was not a communication barrier.
Some Muslim women say the Koran instructs them to wear the veil
She said: "The children are aware of my body language, my eye expressions, the way I'm saying things.
"If people think it is a problem, what about blind children? They can't see anything but they have a brilliant education, so I don't think my wearing the veil affects the children at all."
The school, which has 529 pupils aged seven to 11, takes many children from different ethnic backgrounds where English is not the first language.The school, which has 529 pupils aged seven to 11, takes many children from different ethnic backgrounds where English is not the first language.
The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, first raised the issue last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities. The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, first raised the issue of veil wearing last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities.
About 60 demonstrators gathered outside his morning surgery at Bangor Street Community Centre in Blackburn on Saturday.
A larger demonstration had been planned but was abandoned because of safety concerns.
A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggests 53% of people support Mr Straw in thinking the veils create a barrier between Muslims and other people.A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggests 53% of people support Mr Straw in thinking the veils create a barrier between Muslims and other people.
But three-quarters opposed a ban on veils being worn outside the home.But three-quarters opposed a ban on veils being worn outside the home.