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Veil teacher 'should be sacked' Veil teacher 'should be sacked'
(10 minutes later)
A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class should be sacked, a local government minister has said.A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class should be sacked, a local government minister has said.
Phil Woolas, whose brief includes race relations, told the Sunday Mirror that Aishah Azmi, 23, had "put herself in a position where she can't do her job".Phil Woolas, whose brief includes race relations, told the Sunday Mirror that Aishah Azmi, 23, had "put herself in a position where she can't do her job".
Ms Azmi, who works at a junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said her pupils never complained about the veil.Ms Azmi, who works at a junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said her pupils never complained about the veil.
She said she would remove the garment, but not in front of male colleagues.She said she would remove the garment, but not in front of male colleagues.
Mr Woolas told the newspaper this amounted to sexual discrimination.Mr Woolas told the newspaper this amounted to sexual discrimination.
He added: "She is denying the right of children to a full education by insisting that she wears the veil."He added: "She is denying the right of children to a full education by insisting that she wears the veil."
Acceptance pleaAcceptance plea
Earlier, Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class at Headfield Church of England Junior School because the children had difficulty understanding her in English lessons.Earlier, Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class at Headfield Church of England Junior School because the children had difficulty understanding her in English lessons.
After she refused to remove the veil, it was decided to suspend her pending an employment tribunal.After she refused to remove the veil, it was decided to suspend her pending an employment tribunal.
The council said the school's action had "nothing to do with religion".The council said the school's action had "nothing to do with religion".
There are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated Aishah Azmi Davis warns of 'UK apartheid' Muslims under attack - Lord Send us your commentsThere are so many people in this country who wear the veil and who are very well educated Aishah Azmi Davis warns of 'UK apartheid' Muslims under attack - Lord Send us your comments
Ms Azmi told the BBC her veil had not caused problems with the children, with whom she had a "brilliant relationship".Ms Azmi told the BBC her veil had not caused problems with the children, with whom she had a "brilliant relationship".
"The children are aware of my body language, my eye expressions, the way I'm saying things."The children are aware of my body language, my eye expressions, the way I'm saying things.
"If people think it is a problem, what about blind children? They can't see anything but they have a brilliant education, so I don't think my wearing the veil affects the children at all.""If people think it is a problem, what about blind children? They can't see anything but they have a brilliant education, so I don't think my wearing the veil affects the children at all."
The school, which has 529 pupils aged seven to 11, takes many children from different ethnic backgrounds where English is not the first language.The school, which has 529 pupils aged seven to 11, takes many children from different ethnic backgrounds where English is not the first language.
Religious freedomsReligious freedoms
The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, initiated a debate on veil-wearing last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities.The Leader of the Commons, Jack Straw, initiated a debate on veil-wearing last week when he suggested the full veil over the face separated communities.
On Saturday, London Mayor Ken Livingstone weighed into the debate, saying he would like Muslims to give up the veil. His comments were supported by shadow home secretary David Davis who said, writing in the Sunday Telegraph: "What Jack touched on was the fundamental issue of whether, in Britain, we are developing a divided society.
Some Muslim women say the Koran instructs them to wear the veilSome Muslim women say the Koran instructs them to wear the veil
"Whether we are creating a series of closed societies within our open society.
"Whether we are inadvertently encouraging a kind of voluntary apartheid."
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has also weighed into the debate, saying he would like Muslims to give up the veil.
But he suggested change was not something that could be imposed from outside the Muslim community.But he suggested change was not something that could be imposed from outside the Muslim community.
He said: "People have fought for centuries to establish freedom of religion and culture.
"It is the choice of each individual what they believe and what they wear."
A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggested 53% of people supported Mr Straw in thinking the veils create a barrier between Muslims and other people.A survey in the Guardian newspaper suggested 53% of people supported Mr Straw in thinking the veils create a barrier between Muslims and other people.
But three-quarters opposed a ban on veils being worn outside the home.But three-quarters opposed a ban on veils being worn outside the home.