A new set of rules are making it mandatory for Muslim women to show their ‘id-ka-chand’ (covered face), which is always guarded be the nikab.
In a move to identify that, it is a woman who is taking the driving test and not anyone else, the Driving Standards Agency has set forth a new requirement according to which the women driver has to unveil her face to female test examiners.
The necessary identification process is carried on in a private place with the examiner and an interpreter present for the occasion. The concerned authorities will then match the photo ID card with the women drivers to make sure that it doesn’t turn out to be a case of impersonation.
Via: LSE
Comments
Madihah,
May I ask you, where is the faith when it depends on someone’s clothes ?
I think that if you choose to live a country then you are also choosing to live by that countries laws. So as far as England, the rulers have a right to say uncover your faces. Just like Saudia Arabia has a right to say no women drivers. If you don’t like it you can try to change it or get out or simply just accept it. About the choice of a muslim woman covering her face, yes every woman has the right to choose to dress or cover what ever she wants if its within the laws. done. But...............I have to say that the man by Islam also has the responsibilty to lower his gaze and not to try to pick up anything with two legs. So far with what Ive seen in Yemen its only the women doing their part, but the men are trying to get every womens attention on the streets even if she is not showing a single inch of skin. You can not even go to the local supermarket without being yelled at, or followed by some guy even when you are wearing gloves and covering your face. All men know this in Yemen, so most families do not let their women out for errands without a man to protect them. So you see, cover if you want, but it does not change the world. (or men)
I have read Lena’s comments and would like to enlighten her that there is a difference in what Islam teaches and what the West projects as Islamic teachings. Purdah or veil is for women not to tantalize men and the same is for men to respect women and not look at them. If you say that men try to size up anything on two legs then I would like to point out that why are two legs exposed in the first place. Here the wrongs are being committed by both and not only the man. Hence it is not a one sided concept which Islam preaches. So the orthodox belief that women are the suppressed ones in Islam goes out of the window with this clarification, I hope !
in countries where woman are not covered, men are far less interested in trying to ”pick up anything on 2 legs”. The more they cover up, the more mystery they create, the more they will be challenged by men. Why any woman would willingly allow herself to be made a slave is beyond me.
I completely agree with you Fean. Two legs are exposed because realistically it is going to be hot in the summer wearing jeans. I do not wear skirts simply to provoke men, I wear them because I am more comfortable in them. I do not feel threatened by the men around me. Men are still looking at veiled women, and whether or not they feel protected from that gaze due to a black cloth is entirely up to the female. I doubt that a man would rape a woman solely based on the fact she is uncovered. Thus, the issue of rape does not have as much to do with religion and the controversy of veiling as does human perversion. I beleive that when women have limited rights in their society, it becomes convenient for men to be able to take advantage of this to fullfill their sinfull desires.