Support for NSW police 'veil law'

5 Jul 2011, 4:48 pm   -   Source: SBS, Christine Heard
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Members of Sydney's Muslim community have broadly backed plans to allow the NSW Police the right to request the removal of motorists' face veils.

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On the streets of Auburn in Sydney's south west, there is support for proposed police powers which would allow police officers to request the removal of Islamic face veils - and any other coverings - when motorists are pulled over.

 "I mean the law as it stands if you're wearing a helmet you can't walk into a bank, and therefore if you need to be identified you should show your face", one person said in the  suburb many Muslims call home.

 

"We need to integrate in with society and if police need to indentify us, we need to obey the law", another said.

Currently, NSW police can ask Muslim women to remove veils during investigations of serious offences.

The proposed changes will allow them to compel removal during routine car stops too.

It stems from the case of Carnita Matthews who was convicted - and then cleared - of falsely accusing a police officer of forcibly trying to remove her burqa during a random breath test.

Jinane, who sells Islamic gowns, says there are ways around the sensitive issue of removing veils.

"They could politely asked to be taken in front of a woman and do it if they have issues doing it in front of a man. And that doesn't do any harm to anybody", she said.

I spoke to many other Muslim Australians today, including some wearing full face coverings, and without exception they all supported the new police powers.

But they didn't want to speak on camera, saying the issue had generated enough negative publicity for their community already.

Kuranda Seyit of the Forum on Australia's Islamic Relations says the issue withCarnita Matthews has been politicised and has been 'blown way out of proportion.'

He agrees that his community has been tarnished by the incident, and says yesterday's decision to change the law was made without consultation, and is unwarranted.

"We shouldn't just be making a change to our laws for what I believe is really an isolated incident."
 
Other Islamic groups have not been so critical, saying they accept the increased police powers.

The WA government says it's going to follow in New South Wales's footsteps, but Queensland wont, saying its current laws are adequate.

NSW says it will release details of the changes before parliament resumes in August.

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In response...

Tristan - from Brisbane, 11 months ago

In response to some of the comments below, I would like to highlight several points. Firstly, religion is staunchly integrated and influential in many realms of our lives. Marriage, our political rituals, educational policies among many other things including the common and statutory laws of Australia are entrenched with christian belief and ideology. Those who call for secularity need to see such calls for what they really are - disguised racism and misunderstanding. Secondly, it is important to note that there should be respect for ritual and customs of other cultures in any context. Such issues as identification with a burkah on can be compromised rather than clear cut. In much the same way as people can refuse a blood transfusion a middle ground in policy framework should be reached.

Comparison

TG - from Sydney, 11 months ago

How do Muslim countries where women drive a car and wear a veil all the time deal with this? At least one has to have faced a comparable conflict and nutted out a solution.

face covering

howzat - from gold coast, 11 months ago

As an old fashioned twerp, I have always believed that both men and women display their modesty by the way they conduct themselves, not by what they wear or do not wear. It reminds me of the story in the bible about the guy praying in the street to impress passers-by, forgetting that God does not look on the outward man but loves a contrite heart and not a show of supposed holiness.

No special law for Muslims

Ella - from North Sydney, 11 months ago

It is ridiculous to think we should have female police officers just to suit Muslims. This lot should be more than grateful to be here where they have choices. We should not allow the full veil to be worn here anyway. It's too confronting. I can't walk around in shorts & strapless blouse in a Muslim country, I would be arrested. So why are they special here? We should follow France's stance.

Dr

Ibtissam Abdul Jabbar - from Brisbane, 11 months ago

There is no need to create issues that could cause sensitivity and division in our society we have first and almost respect each other Police could learn to deal with this minor issue with many alternatives rather than take it as an opportunity to impose another regulation. Some times we need to take anti- logical approach in order to keep unity and respect. The unity of our society can be approached by further education and open debate.No need to fear each other.

muzlums greedy

mickeyb - from rye vic, 11 months ago

Muzlums (muslims) should respect the rights & laws of their 'adopted country' and show some respect for the oppertunity to live in Australia, 'our forbearers (NOT THEIRS) fled places like where 'they (Muzlums) came from so dont push your luck muzlums.

U r minority

Jesus daughter - from Sydney , 11 months ago

Muslims r less than 15% of the australian population and still at any time we open tv their problems are there.As they said before either they live as Australian or just live and go back to where u came from because here we eat pork !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(

Freedom FROM religion law required!!

Voltaire - from Point Cook, 11 months ago

Blatantly displaying one's religiosity in the public domain is offensive to all other creeds and secular values alike. Police IDs are now easier but further laws are required to prohibit all overt religious clothing in public. Blatant parading of one's ideology through clothing is predominately an Islamic practice - Few other religions insists on shoving it in everyone's face. In this, Islam refuses to respect other religions and freedom from religion - This must now be prescribed in law.

The veil is not part of Islam

Ali - from Fairfield, 11 months ago

I am a Muslim. I have done some research for my study on BURKAH or the veil. This issue is not pert of Islam at all. The holy Quran does not mention the veil or covering the face. Muslim women during the prophet time were not covering their faces. Prophet Mohammed never mentioned that women should cover their faces. This is a pure aspect of culture goes back long time ago before Islam when it was a law in Babylon. Later on Spartans implemented this Babylonian law so as Assyrian did too.

I totally agree with the new laws!

Gaileen - from Toowoomba , 11 months ago

I totally agree with the new laws of NSW. I believe that in any place where a motorbike rider needs to remove their helmet, ALL Muslim women who choose to where a face covering SHOULD remove the covering. They choose to come to Australia because of the quality of life and freedoms. They should be integrating with Australian society NOT making a little Muslim state here. If they want to wear a face veil all the time, then go back to where you came from.

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