Sentamu: Muslim veil is too divisive

Nov 13 2006 By Jasbir Authi, Birmingham Mail

THE former Bishop of Birmingham looked set to provoke fresh controversy today by saying Muslim women should not wear veils in public.

Dr John Sentamu, now the Archbishop of York, said the veil causes Islamic women to "stick out" and that no minority should be allowed to impose its belief on the rest of society.

Dr Sentamu, aged 57, who is the second highest ranking member in the Church, said: "Muslim scholars would say three questions. Firstly, does it conforms to the norms of decency? Secondly, does it render you more secure? And thirdly, what kind of Islam are you wearing by projecting it?

"I think in the second context it renders you less secure because you stick out and it brings unwelcome attention. On the first question, I don't think it does conform."

Dr Sentamu also said that he removes his cross when he visits Mosques.

He said: "When I visit Orthodox synagogues I never take a cross. When I go into Muslim mosques I take it off. When I go into a Sikh temple I cover my head. I can't simply say 'Take me as I am whether you like it or not.'"

Dr Sentamu said: "I think the thing is, in British society, you can wear what you want but you can't expect British society to be reconfigured around you. No minority can expect to impose this on the public or civic life."

Dr Sentamu earlier criticised Winterval, when Birmingham City Council refrained from celebrating Christmas in case it offended people from different faiths, as the "systematic erosion" of Christianity of public life.

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