Whilst religion plays no part in my life whatsoever (I am a Jew, but I am Jew-ish) I still very much believe that a person, living in a country with freedom of expression as we do, has the right to practice what they like without exception. It therefore shocked me to the very core when the Muslim head covering debate/argument came about and even more so when I read that a Muslim women was banned from a swimming pool in France recently for wearing a ‘burkini’ – a swimsuit which covers the whole body with a waterproof head scarf that leaves the face uncovered. This continues from the controversial ban in France in 2004 of the hijab headscarf in all state primary and secondary schools. The situation begs the question: what is going on in France?? I didn’t realise they lived in a communist society. I didn’t realise the country was run by a bunch of ignoramuses!
Granted it’s a religious symbol, but is it not just the same as telling someone they can’t wear blue jumpers on a Friday or flat shoes on the weekend? Religious Jewish men cover their heads, Sikh men wear turbans… no one reprimands them. It screams of injustice. Have you noticed I’m annoyed? Just a bit!