Ruairi Quinn advocates hijab ban in schools

[wasitforthis]

This is a story which seems to have received very little coverage today. I've highlighted some phrases which I think are problematic.

MUSLIM girls should not be allowed to wear a headscarf in public schools, the two main opposition parties said last night.


Labour's Ruairi Quinn said immigrants who come to Ireland need to conform to the culture of this country.


"If people want to come into a western society that is Christian and secular, they need to conform to the rules and regulations of that country," the Labour spokesman on education and science told the Irish Independent.


His comments come amid mounting controversy over guidelines on the wearing of the hijab, commonly worn by Muslim girl in state schools.


His stance on the issue was backed by his Fine Gael counterpart Brian Hayes, who says it makes "absolute sense" that there is one uniform for everyone.


The Fine Gael education spokesman said the wearing of the hijab was not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim, but more an example of modesty and cultural mores.


Recently, Nicholas Sweetman, principal of Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, called for official direction to bring an end to the practice of schools imposing divergent policies.


The Wexford controversy followed the Department of Education's refusal to offer advice to the school when a Muslim couple asked last September that their daughter be allowed to wear the headscarf in class.


Mr Quinn said immigrants should live by Irish laws and conform to Irish norms.


"Nobody is formally asking them to come here. In the interests of integration and assimilation, they should embrace our culture," he said.


He added: "Irish girls don't wear headscarves. A manifestation of religious beliefs in such a way is unacceptable and draws attention to those involved. I believe in a public school situation they should not wear a headscarf."


Mr Hayes said Ireland should not be going down the route of multiculturalism.


"It makes absolute sense that there would be one uniform for everyone. The wearing of the hijab is not about religiosity, it is more an example of modesty. It is not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim," he said.


But Fine Gael and Labour's position on the controversy sparked an angry reaction.


Islamic Society of Ireland spokesperson Summayah Kenna branded the comments by Mr Hayes and Mr Quinn as "baffling", adding the hijab was a religious obligation.


She said she was "shocked" by Mr Hayes' assertion that it was otherwise, and urged him to check up on his information.


And director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism Philip Watt said the "ill-thought" comments from both political figures were "disappointing".


Last night, a spokesperson for Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said he had no problem with students wearing the hijab.


"For those that wear the hijab, it's an issue of modesty. It's not so long since Irish women wore headscarves to church, so we have to respect that," the spokesperson said.


At present, individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of school rules, including school-uniform requirements.


But the Education Act requires school boards to have respect for the diversity of values, beliefs and traditions.


The Department of Education said last night it had asked Mr Lenihan to consider the matter in the context of the development of an Intercultural Education Strategy.


It said nothing would be ruled in or out until after talks take place.

So what do people think of Messrs Quinn and Hayes' arguments?
And is this a surprising turn for Labour? Is it odd to see FF on the side of acceptance and tolerance (to some extent) while Labour tout the virtues of assimilation?

[PaintingMedium]

Brilliant, well done to FG and Labour for stating the bloody obvious!

Cheers lads!

[johnmcgahon dundalk YFG]

they are completley right
well one to quinn and hayes!!!

[blucey]

There should be a total ban on all religious symbols (crosses, skullcaps, the lot) in schools imho. And if the bishops bleat, tell them to can it or the state stops payig the salaries of the school. That would clap a stop on them pdq.

Of course, as a state over the decades we have been too slack to actually take control of education, leaving in the hands of pressure groups of all stripes, so now we reap what we have sown.

[PronsiasPilate]

This is a story which seems to have received very little coverage today. I've highlighted some phrases which I think are problematic.

MUSLIM girls should not be allowed to wear a headscarf in public schools, the two main opposition parties said last night.


Labour's Ruairi Quinn said immigrants who come to Ireland need to conform to the culture of this country.


"If people want to come into a western society that is Christian and secular, they need to conform to the rules and regulations of that country," the Labour spokesman on education and science told the Irish Independent.


His comments come amid mounting controversy over guidelines on the wearing of the hijab, commonly worn by Muslim girl in state schools.


His stance on the issue was backed by his Fine Gael counterpart Brian Hayes, who says it makes "absolute sense" that there is one uniform for everyone.


The Fine Gael education spokesman said the wearing of the hijab was not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim, but more an example of modesty and cultural mores.


Recently, Nicholas Sweetman, principal of Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, called for official direction to bring an end to the practice of schools imposing divergent policies.


The Wexford controversy followed the Department of Education's refusal to offer advice to the school when a Muslim couple asked last September that their daughter be allowed to wear the headscarf in class.


Mr Quinn said immigrants should live by Irish laws and conform to Irish norms.


"Nobody is formally asking them to come here. In the interests of integration and assimilation, they should embrace our culture," he said.


He added: "Irish girls don't wear headscarves. A manifestation of religious beliefs in such a way is unacceptable and draws attention to those involved. I believe in a public school situation they should not wear a headscarf."


Mr Hayes said Ireland should not be going down the route of multiculturalism.


"It makes absolute sense that there would be one uniform for everyone. The wearing of the hijab is not about religiosity, it is more an example of modesty. It is not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim," he said.


But Fine Gael and Labour's position on the controversy sparked an angry reaction.


Islamic Society of Ireland spokesperson Summayah Kenna branded the comments by Mr Hayes and Mr Quinn as "baffling", adding the hijab was a religious obligation.


She said she was "shocked" by Mr Hayes' assertion that it was otherwise, and urged him to check up on his information.


And director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism Philip Watt said the "ill-thought" comments from both political figures were "disappointing".


Last night, a spokesperson for Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said he had no problem with students wearing the hijab.


"For those that wear the hijab, it's an issue of modesty. It's not so long since Irish women wore headscarves to church, so we have to respect that," the spokesperson said.


At present, individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of school rules, including school-uniform requirements.


But the Education Act requires school boards to have respect for the diversity of values, beliefs and traditions.


The Department of Education said last night it had asked Mr Lenihan to consider the matter in the context of the development of an Intercultural Education Strategy.


It said nothing would be ruled in or out until after talks take place.

So what do people think of Messrs Quinn and Hayes' arguments?
And is this a surprising turn for Labour? Is it odd to see FF on the side of acceptance and tolerance (to some extent) while Labour tout the virtues of assimilation?

I'd like to see a Ruari Quinn ban.

Never mind the hijab ban.

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

oh come on...i am a total right-wing ******************************************.....but it's just a f.uckin' scarf.....what harm is it doing? Does this mean we ban the cross too, and stop people from having Christmas plays? I hate multi-culturalism as a stupid worldview for stupid people, but this is trivial compared with the real issues......which are neatly sidestepped by this tokenistic move...

[disenchanted]

What's the big deal about Hijabs, anyway?

It is easy to take this "secular" stuff too far.

I mean, aren't we supposed to live in a free society?

Aren't we supposed to be embracing diversity?

I'd like to think that if decided to become a Buddhist monk, I wouldn't have any trouble walking around in saffron robes.

Don't the nuns teaching in Loretto convent wear head scarves, or habits, or whatever?

[PronsiasPilate]

This is a story which seems to have received very little coverage today. I've highlighted some phrases which I think are problematic.

MUSLIM girls should not be allowed to wear a headscarf in public schools, the two main opposition parties said last night.


Labour's Ruairi Quinn said immigrants who come to Ireland need to conform to the culture of this country.


"If people want to come into a western society that is Christian and secular, they need to conform to the rules and regulations of that country," the Labour spokesman on education and science told the Irish Independent.


His comments come amid mounting controversy over guidelines on the wearing of the hijab, commonly worn by Muslim girl in state schools.


His stance on the issue was backed by his Fine Gael counterpart Brian Hayes, who says it makes "absolute sense" that there is one uniform for everyone.


The Fine Gael education spokesman said the wearing of the hijab was not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim, but more an example of modesty and cultural mores.


Recently, Nicholas Sweetman, principal of Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, called for official direction to bring an end to the practice of schools imposing divergent policies.


The Wexford controversy followed the Department of Education's refusal to offer advice to the school when a Muslim couple asked last September that their daughter be allowed to wear the headscarf in class.


Mr Quinn said immigrants should live by Irish laws and conform to Irish norms.


"Nobody is formally asking them to come here. In the interests of integration and assimilation, they should embrace our culture," he said.


He added: "Irish girls don't wear headscarves. A manifestation of religious beliefs in such a way is unacceptable and draws attention to those involved. I believe in a public school situation they should not wear a headscarf."


Mr Hayes said Ireland should not be going down the route of multiculturalism.


"It makes absolute sense that there would be one uniform for everyone. The wearing of the hijab is not about religiosity, it is more an example of modesty. It is not a fundamental requirement to be a Muslim," he said.


But Fine Gael and Labour's position on the controversy sparked an angry reaction.


Islamic Society of Ireland spokesperson Summayah Kenna branded the comments by Mr Hayes and Mr Quinn as "baffling", adding the hijab was a religious obligation.


She said she was "shocked" by Mr Hayes' assertion that it was otherwise, and urged him to check up on his information.


And director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism Philip Watt said the "ill-thought" comments from both political figures were "disappointing".


Last night, a spokesperson for Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said he had no problem with students wearing the hijab.


"For those that wear the hijab, it's an issue of modesty. It's not so long since Irish women wore headscarves to church, so we have to respect that," the spokesperson said.


At present, individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of school rules, including school-uniform requirements.


But the Education Act requires school boards to have respect for the diversity of values, beliefs and traditions.


The Department of Education said last night it had asked Mr Lenihan to consider the matter in the context of the development of an Intercultural Education Strategy.


It said nothing would be ruled in or out until after talks take place.

So what do people think of Messrs Quinn and Hayes' arguments?
And is this a surprising turn for Labour? Is it odd to see FF on the side of acceptance and tolerance (to some extent) while Labour tout the virtues of assimilation?

Ruairi has obviously got the call from Labour party headquarters in England, "c'mon Rory, you're not doing enough to encourage anti muslim sentiment and work towards turning ireland into a facist right wing police state like we in new labour have done to england. Get off your arse mate, shoot some brazilains on the dart 10 times in the head or sumfink".

[PaintingMedium]

What's the big deal about Hijabs, anyway?

It is easy to take this "secular" stuff too far.

I mean, aren't we supposed to live in a free society?

Aren't we supposed to be embracing diversity?

I'd like to think that if decided to become a Buddhist monk, I wouldn't have any trouble walking around in saffron robes.

Don't the nuns teaching in Loretto convent wear head scarves, or habits, or whatever?

Yeah its a bloody convent!

I do not want a secular state, but I want an Irish state!
Diversity is great for tourism and short stays, after that, either adapt or get out!

[futurecouncillor]

What's the big deal about Hijabs, anyway?

It is easy to take this "secular" stuff too far.

I mean, aren't we supposed to live in a free society?

Aren't we supposed to be embracing diversity?

I'd like to think that if decided to become a Buddhist monk, I wouldn't have any trouble walking around in saffron robes.

Don't the nuns teaching in Loretto convent wear head scarves, or habits, or whatever?

Yeah its a bloody convent!

I do not want a secular state, but I want an Irish state!
Diversity is great for tourism and short stays, after that, either adapt or get out!

Care to elaborate? Would be interested to hear how you define the Irish state that you want