Our tolerant society must draw the line at Muslim use of full veil
Toby Herscovitch
Citizen Special
Friday, November 03, 2006
Pluralism, tolerance, multiculturalism: These are some of the defining traits of Canada, the kind that are inspiring the Aga Khan to build a Global Centre for Pluralism here in Ottawa. But when the tolerant face the intolerant, those who put up not only ideological barriers but also tangible barriers between some of our most precious beliefs and theirs, how much do the tolerant need to tolerate? I’m talking about our acceptance of the full veil (burka or niqab) worn by some Muslim women here in Canada. And I’m wondering why we are so uncomfortable not just with the veil, but also with discussion about it.
As a woman in a free and equal society, I have to admit that I find it offensive to see another woman in a face-covering veil. Ironically, it is similar to my reaction to a woman posing naked. The latter continues to perpetuate the stereotype of woman as sex object. And the burka/niqab perpetuates the stereotype of woman as temptress, branded guilty forever since she supposedly enticed Adam to eat the apple. The difference is that the nude pin-up is not walking in our stores and streets. But the veiled woman is.
I should clarify that while many people might not agree with women covering their hair for religious reasons, or the opposite, exposing too much skin, I believe that the right to choose and the need to respect each other’s styles and customs trumps individual perceptions in Canada. Nor can we judge a person by his or her covering (or not).
But does that still mean that we should allow people to walk completely nude in Canadian streets or to hide their faces completely in public settings, such as schools, banks and workplaces? As a society that values freedom, tolerance, equality and openness, we are still entitled to draw lines — loose, broad and generous lines perhaps — but lines nonetheless. And so we need to have this debate.
I also find it hard to swallow the argument I have heard presented by a 20-something Muslim woman that she is covering up not because she is unequal to men in her religion, but rather that she simply does not want to be judged by her appearance.
Why then don’t Muslim men cover up? And since we all know that covering the face really just applies to Muslim women, what are these women inadvertently saying about men — that they don’t trust men and that all men are now leering at our women (since theirs are covered up)? Who is insulting whom here?
True, we all tend to judge people by their looks to some degree, but these same “looks” also help us determine whether a person is friendly or scowling, sympathetic or contemptuous, calm or agitated. It gives us a comfort level, and, yes, even a real measure of safety, to see to whom we are talking.
What about other practicalities? The burka/niqab reduces peripheral vision, so the wearer could be a danger on the road. It hides the person, if she were to commit a crime, making law enforcement more difficult. It muffles speech and hides mouth movements, making it harder for children in school to understand the words. And let’s face it: It puts a barrier between our cultures — not just some perceived “fear of the unknown” as some people argue, but a real physical separation, like a mask, wall or curtain.
Most people are already a little uncomfortable with others who are different from them. It’s human nature. But hiding behind the full veil presents yet one more barrier when what the world needs is one less. Whatever happened to a friendly smile to bridge cultures and promote tolerance? And ultimately, aren’t we as a society entitled to have a few reasonable “guidelines” that other cultures agree to respect before they are given the great privilege to live here in Canada?
Toby Herscovitch is an Ottawa freelance writer.
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