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Muslim teacher defends her veil Veil teacher 'should be sacked'
(about 3 hours later)
A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class said her pupils never complained. A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class should be sacked, a local government minister has said.
Aishah Azmi, 23, also claimed she had been willing to take the veil off, but not in front of any male colleagues. Phil Woolas, whose brief includes race relations, told the Sunday Mirror that Aishah Azmi, 23, had "put herself in a position where she can't do her job".
Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, had said pupils found it hard to understand her during English language lessons. Ms Azmi, who works at a junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said her pupils never complained about the veil.
Government minister Phil Woolas told the Sunday Mirror Ms Azmi should be sacked, accusing her of discrimination. She said she would remove the garment, but not in front of male colleagues.
"She has put herself in a position where she can't do her job," he told the newspaper. Mr Woolas told the newspaper this amounted to sexual discrimination.
"She is denying the right of children to a full education by insisting that she wears the veil." He added: "She is denying the right of children to a full education by insisting that she wears the veil."
Mr Woolas, a local government minister whose brief includes race relations, said her refusal to remove the veil in front of men amounted to sexual discrimination.
Acceptance pleaAcceptance plea
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. Earlier, Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class at Headfield Church of England Junior School because the children had difficulty understanding her in English lessons.
"To say the students have a problem with communication, that's not right." After she refused to remove the veil, it was decided to suspend her pending an employment tribunal.
The council said the school's action had "nothing to do with religion".
There are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated Aishah Azmi Send us your commentsThere are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated Aishah Azmi Send us your comments
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. Ms Azmi told the BBC her veil had not caused problems with the children, with whom she had a "brilliant relationship".
"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.
"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, who has been suspended pending the outcome of an employment tribunal, insisted the veil was not a communication barrier.
"The children are aware of my body language, my eye expressions, the way I'm saying things."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.""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."
Religious freedoms
Earlier, Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class and refused.
The council said the school's action was "nothing to do with religion", only a practical matter about making herself understood.
Some Muslim women say the Koran instructs them to wear the veil
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.
Religious freedoms
The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, initiated a debate on veil-wearing last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities.The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, initiated a debate on veil-wearing last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities.
On Saturday, London Mayor Ken Livingstone weighed into the debate, saying he would like Muslims to give up the veil.On Saturday, London Mayor Ken Livingstone weighed into the debate, saying he would like Muslims to give up the veil.
Some Muslim women say the Koran instructs them to wear the veil
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 the choice of each individual what they believe and what they wear."
A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggested 53% of people supported Mr Straw in thinking the veils create a barrier between Muslims and other people.A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggested 53% of people supported 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.