Britain’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has issued a statement in response to the recent debate about banning the niqab in hospitals.
The MCB have said that they have been inundated with media enquiries concerning the veil, this time in hospitals.
In response, Dr Shuja Shafi, Deputy Secretary General of the MCB and a senior health professional for many years issued the following statement:
“In the latest twist to the ‘moral panic’ about the niqab, or face veil, many are now getting quite exercised by the possibility of ahealth professional wearing this in our hospitals.
That this hasbecome an issue is a surprise to all of us. Having worked closely with hospitals and hospital chaplains, we have never been made aware of any concerns or complaints raised about doctors, nurses or healthcare professionalswearing the niqab.
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That is primarily because there are few, if any, who do adopt the face veil in hospitals. It is our understanding that Muslim women whodo wear the veilare prepared to be pragmatic and take off the veil when required.
For example, a basic security requirement for all hospital workers, without exception is to wear photographic ID. This would be a requirement for people who wear the face veil as well.”
Dr Shuja added: “We are puzzled why the face veil is being mademore of an issue than it really is. Surely there are greater concerns we shouldworry about, such as the quality and provision of care we give to all our patients.”
Earlier this week, Mrs Talat Ahmed, the chairwoman of the MCB’s Social and Family Affairs Committee said: “every time we discuss the niqab, it usually comes with a diet of bigoted commentary about our faith and the place of Islam in Britain.”
The comments came after a judge ruled that a Muslim woman take off her face veil during the trial. The Muslim Council of Britain welcomed this decision saying the judge made “the right decision by allowing women to wear niqab and take it off when giving evidence. We should accept that reasonable accommodation has been made to respect her religious rights.”
