STOKHOLM,
September 1 (IslamOnline.net) - In an unprecedented incident, a Muslim
veiled woman has managed to work as a TV announcer in Sweden and
appear in her Islamic apparel before millions of audiences, talking to
them about different programs, without fearing discrimination or
harassment.
This
followed the official Swedish TV decision that has been taken lately
to the effect that Sweden respects cultures and religions and that
religious freedom is guaranteed to all under the Swedish law.
With
this move, the Swedish TV becomes the first western media organization
that allows a Muslim veiled woman to be an announcer dealing with
Christian audience and talking to them in their language and may
tackle subjects related to their lives.
It
is worth noting that the official Swedish TV is far more conservative
than other some Arab media organizations, as porno movies are
forbidden and publicity for different kinds of alcohol is prohibited.
It
has become familiar in Sweden to meet veiled women everywhere in work
places, like post offices, hospitals, education institutions and
others.
Nadia
Gabriel, a Swedish of Palestinian origin, worked in the Swedish TV
with the team of “Mosaic” program that deals with the issues of
expatriates living in the Swedish community, before some refer to her
veil. Yet, she fought until her veil was recognized in the Swedish TV
by virtue of the latest decision.
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Veiled
women face no discrimination problems in Sweden
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In
an interview with IslamOline.net correspondent Monday, September 1,
she said that she is happy with the decision and that she is committed
towards her veil. She added that she speaks Arabic as fluently as
Swedish, which is her mother tongue as she was born in Sweden.
She
pointed out that she will present a program starting 2004 that deals
primarily with kitchen affairs, adding that such programs are very
popular in Sweden.
About
her future plans, Gabriel said that she thinks of preparing serious
programs that aim at helping immigrants in Sweden, hoping such
programs may achieve success. She underlined that her veil will not
prevent her from performing her media duties even in the most liberal
communities like Sweden.
According
to the laws applicable in Sweden, any veiled woman, who is exposed to
any racial or religious discrimination due to her veil, shall have the
right to sue her employer who treated her badly because of her veil.
A
Swedish Muslim girl had been fired from her job in a large store in
Sweden. She sued her employer and was done justice by the court that
handles discrimination issues. She returned to her job and obtained a
good compensation.
Due
to these laws that grant Muslim women the right to wear veils, Sweden
is almost free of the phenomenon of harassing veiled women, contrary
to what happens in Belgium, France and some other western states.
Swedish
and non-Swedish women have the right to get official passports and
identity cards, without having to remove their veils, as all
government circles accept veiled women in Sweden without the least
annoyance.
