It is a pity that people continue to mix legend with facts. The latest diatribe was by Michela Spiteri (Creating a storm in a burqa, November 1). Going though her unending expostulation she managed to confuse me.
First of all, why did she bring in the crucifix? Is this some action against Christianity? I, and many others, are not against Islam or Islamic followers, but only against extreme interpretations. The Koran advocates modesty. Does it mean that those who do not cover their faces (who are in a minority) are not modest? Would anyone deem nuns as not being modest?
There are Muslim women who believe the hijab hinders their personal freedom as a woman. A Muslim woman, Rasmieyh Abdelnabi, explains that she decided to stop wearing the hijab because she felt it was putting too much pressure on her to “represent an entire community”. She further explains the hijab is not representative of Islam but only of Arab culture.
She continues by stating that three veiled women is negligible but thousands are an entirely different story. What does she want, for Malta to be inundated by black clad women should the Muslim population grow?
She might not feel threatened but people like me are. Would she be at ease to be served by a person she does not recognise? The reference to skinheads is irrelevant. Two wrongs will not prove that she is right.
I cannot fathom how a ban might create more security problems. There is a movement to encourage integration of migrants. How can these be integrated by sticking to obsolete customs? The division she mentions is caused by those who want not to integrate, but to defy democracy.
I assure her that I worry more about such non sequitur arguments. I respect Islam because I have spent many years working with people from that faith. They are devout. There is no traumatic effect experienced by exposing one’s face; the trauma is meeting and working with people who remain unknown.
It is the Muslims themselves who should appreciate that they are, willingly, living in an open and democratic society, and should refrain from antagonising the majority.