Lifting the Veil on Straw

There will be a proper time for Straw to answer his constituents about his views.

Yet things have come to such a pass in the UK that for a Cabinet minister to ask his female Muslim constituents to lift the veil (niqab ) covering their faces during meetings with him is thought to be perfectly acceptable. In fact, in such a case, the perception of Muslims has so deteriorated that it is the woman who is being blamed for setting herself apart from the rest of society, causing others to be afraid by her choice of dress.

Yes, politics is a murky affair. With one eye on his constituency but another on the forthcoming election for the deputy leadership of Britain's ruling Labour Party, Jack Straw has chosen to make an issue of this just now, pushing himself right into the public gaze as a champion of what is British and what is not. Prime Minister Blair, too, eager to deflect attention away from his own troubles as party leader and always looking for reasons to bolster support for his "War on Terror," has backed Straw and asked for a public discussion, a public debate about the Muslim veil.

Where all this will lead depends as much on how Muslims react as on how politicians choose to manipulate people and events for their own needs. The non-Muslim British public, being fed for so long now a regular diet of misinformation about Islam and Muslims, will become more and more fearful of terrorists in their midst if this is allowed to continue. The Muslim community will begin to feel more alienated and more a victim of the very society of which they are a part. In only a matter of a few years, Britain's sizeable Muslim minority has become the object of suspicion. Veiled Muslim women in Britain know only too well the looks of disdain which they can attract just by going about their business. They know that next door neighbors, once friendly and welcoming, now think twice before opening a conversation.

The London bombers not only managed to cause death and destruction by their actions, but they also played right into the hands of those looking for scapegoats. The British public has been so stirred up into a frenzy by those advocating war in Iraq and Afghanistan and those looking for terrorists in every corner, that a new mood has been created. That it is Muslims and Islam who are bearing the brunt of public suspicion is to be regretted deeply.

What people fail to realize, however, is that when the media train moves on and the politicians have moved to another policy agenda, it could equally well be any other group in the limelight. So let us, as Muslims, keep all of this in its proper context. This tirade of abuse and suspicion will not go on for ever.

Fueling the fires ignited by Straw's remarks by commenting further about the issue will only prolong the distraction. A distraction it surely is. By falling into the trap of welcoming Blair's "debate" about the veil, we are allowing others once more to set the agenda. No, there will be a proper time for Straw to answer his constituents about his views. Muslims can use the ballot box at election time to show Straw exactly what they think, and Muslim leaders in Britain should use the time right now to make this abundantly clear. Islam needs no one's approval. Muslims are not to be taken for fools and sit idly by while their faith is vilified. In a calm and considered way, politicians can be made aware of this.

The episode of the Danish cartoons and the more recent papal remarks show us that Muslims can react in one of two ways. Legitimate protest, where appropriate, is right. Indignation throughout the Muslim world will mean that Denmark and the Vatican will surely not forget the offense they caused. But many people, as well, used both occasions to present a proper image of Islam to both the people of Denmark and to Christians with whom we seek true friendship and understanding.

Muslims throughout the world, and in Britain in particular, have the opportunity to use Straw's remarks to tell others about Islam. Handled properly, Straw's thoughtless remarks can be the launching point not for a debate over the veil — that would be to allow his intention to succeed — but for a presentation of Islam. Muslims can seize the chance to present Islam to others in Britain. Muslims are being given a chance, with all the related publicity, to say whatever they want to about Islam. Who speaks on their behalf and how they react will be crucial.

Now is the time for positive role models and positive exemplars of Islam to be used to get the message across. Burning flags will have exactly the wrong effect. British people tend not to talk very much about religion. For those in Britain with faith, it is usually a private affair. British people, though, do like sports and they do like television. They enjoy humor. Real da`wah means presenting the facts about Islam in an attractive way to those we wish to speak to. Now is not the time, given the existing climate of mistrust and fear, to lecture or thttp://www.islamonline.net/English/EuropeanMuslims/CommunityCivilSociety/2006/10/03.shtmlo berate those who misunderstand Islam. That would only reinforce misconception and ignorance.

Now is surely the time, instead, for Muslim sportsmen and television personalities to appear, showing that Islam is not a religion of terrorists and fanatics, but a religion that is both beautiful and sweet. Now is the time for Muslim singers and entertainers to show that Muslims enjoy having fun like anyone else. Now is the time for ordinary Muslims to go about their daily lives, cheerfully and quietly giving good examples. And now is surely also the time to show others how precious women are in Islam and how Islam has always exalted the status of women. If they are misunderstood, it should be all the more reason to keep trying. Now is the time for mosques and Muslim organizations to engage with the wider community. Now is the time to be proud of the face veil and the hijab and of our Muslim sisters who wear one or both.

Any time that people feel themselves under attack, there is a temptation to retreat in upon themselves and put up the shutters. It is even tempting to give in to despair, believing that nothing can be done. For Muslims to give in to such feelings is a betrayal of what we hold most dear: that Almighty Allah is in control. He is in control, not us. We must never allow ourselves to forget this.

Let us, instead, pray all the more. Let us recite the Qur'an more often and try to imitate more faithfully the life and example of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). If Ramadan is to mean anything to us, we must remember that we do everything for the sake of Allah. It is He who has called us to be Muslim and it is He who will strengthen His Muslim Ummah.

Muslims in Britain don't want to change British society, which is at the heart of what many non-Muslims fear. They can, though, act as a leaven within it, bringing values of decency and honesty once more into the public domain. They can promote family values, not by talking about them but by showing that they work. And Muslims can tell the world about Islam by letting everyone see the love they have for Allah Almighty and for His Prophet (peace be upon him).

Blair might be clutching at any straw to distract attention away from his problems. Muslims in Britain have only pride in what they believe. It is time to draw a veil over Straw's remarks and to tell the world about Islam.

British Muslim writer and presenter, Idris Tawfiq, was for many years head of religious education in many schools in the UK. Before embracing Islam, he was a Roman Catholic priest. In February 2008, he will be visiting Ireland. You can visit his website at www.idristawfiq.com.