(originally dated 7/3/07)

Multiculturalism is here to stay. So why is Europe finding it so difficult to provide equal opportunities and equal respect to its diverse societies? An article in last weeks Time Magazine suggested five ways in which Europe can turn the actuality of multicultural communities into something that offers prosperity rather than pitfalls.

To make the top of the list was the controversial topic of saving the veil. “I feel more comfortable, like I can respect myself more when I’m covered”[1] said Aisha Awan, a British Muslim. While people are still free to wear the veil in the UK, countries such as France have banned them in the classroom and the Dutch are fighting for a total public ban – a decision which personally seems rather unreasonable.

Maybe the French are right, and a ban in schools isn’t so bad. The segregation of diverse individuals would hopefully decline, and pupils (especially younger ages) will not be thrown into the firing line of such an emotionally charged debate. For all teachers to wear similar dress at least shows some conformity to pupils, and that all their teachers are to be treated the same. It may seem unfair to ask others to change their norms, but for European youths it might be essential to achieve equality.

What is important is that to remove the veil must be teacher’s decision, not a demand of schools or government. It would be the first step to ridding of any potential divided society fully developing in the UK. An issue that must be overcome for multicultural European life to stand any chance of success.

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[1] Time – The Many faces of Europe – Feb 26, 2007