Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

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Veil teacher was obeying a fatwaAbul Taher THE Muslim teacher who insisted on wearing a veil in class has been following a fatwa issued personally to her by a Islamic cleric belonging to a hardline sect.Aishah Azmi found herself in the middle of a national row about integration when she took her school to an employment tribunal after it suspended her for refusing to remove the veil in class. Tony Blair joined the debate about the wearing of veils — opened by Jack Straw, the Commons

leader — and supported the school’s actions.Azmi, 24, has maintained that her decision to wear the veil was driven entirely by her personal beliefs, rather than the advice or instruction of a third party. But this weekend it emerged that she refused to take the veil off at school after receiving a fatwa, or religious ruling, from Mufti Yusuf Sacha, a Muslim cleric in West Yorkshire. Her legal team revealed that the advice Sacha issued to Azmi ruled that it was obligatory for women to wear the niqab (face-veil) in the presence of men who were not their blood relatives.Sacha is one of several hundred Islamic clerics in Britain with the status of mufti, entitling him to issue fatwas based on Islamic law. Although Muslims are expected to follow fatwas, they are not obliged to do so, particularly if they live in a non-Muslim state.Nick Whittingham, manager at the Kirklees law centre, which defended Azmi, said she went to seek Sacha’s advice

before starting a job as classroom assistant at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in September 2005. Whittingham said that Azmi, who had been wearing the niqab since the age of 15, asked Sacha whether women had a choice whether or not to wear the niqab. She was told it was obligatory, Whittingham said.Azmi, who was employed as a bilingual support worker helping British Pakistani children learn English, was told to remove the veil because pupils found it difficult to understand her as they could not see her lips move.In November 2005 the school sent her home on sick leave on the grounds that the strain of the dispute was causing her stress and depression. When Azmi returned to the school in February, she insisted on wearing the veil, prompting the school to suspend her on full pay.During Azmi’s employment tribunal, Sacha was asked to give a written statement. He set out his reasons for insisting that the

niqab was obligatory for women.Whittingham said: “I know she went to Sacha for advice before starting the job. And at the tribunal Sacha also set out the religious position, which was accepted by both sides. It said that she is required to wear it in the presence of men who are not her blood relatives, or whom she can potentially marry.”The tribunal ruled that Kirklees council — which runs the school — was within its rights to suspend her from work. But Azmi was awarded £1,100 on the grounds of victimisation.Her legal team is planning to lodge an appeal against the tribunal decision, and is considering taking the case to the European Court of Justice.This weekend Azmi declined to answer questions at her home in Dewsbury. Sacha, who lives in nearby Batley, also refused to comment on the extent of the influence he had on Azmi.Sacha follows the teachings of the Tablighi Jamaat, a hardline Muslim group, elements of which are suspected by

western intelligence agencies of having links with terrorism. The majority of Tablighis are, however, regarded as moderate.A colleague of Sacha, who did not want to be named, said that the cleric teaches at the Tablighi mosque in Dewsbury, which has become the organisation’s European headquarters.Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the London bombers, are said to have been regular worshippers there.Sacha’s ruling on the veil is disputed. Mufti Abdul Kadir Barkatullah, who is affiliated to the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “I am 100% sure that wearing the niqab is not obligatory on Muslim women — it is a matter of choice. It’s more about habit than religion. The Tablighis observe the niqab very strictly.” Banned extremists regroup TWO Muslim extremist groups banned after last year’s July 7 bombings have re-formed under a new name, writes Abul Taher.Al Ghurabaa and the Saved Sect, splinter groups of the disbanded Al-Muhajiroun, now operate as Followers of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. The group runs most of its activities through an internet forum, where one of the main contributors is Anjem Choudhury, the former British head of Al-Muhajiroun, who uses the pseudonym Abou Luqman. He often gives his mobile phone numbers to other members. New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member. A reporter who infiltrated the site found calls for violent holy war, declarations that the Queen is an enemy and recordings from Osama Bin Laden; Ayman al-Zawahiri, his deputy; and terrorists from Iraq. It also contains

dozens of voice recordings by Omar Bakri Mohammed, founder of Al-Muhajiroun, who was barred from returning to Britain after going to Lebanon on holiday last year. Bakri’s teachings are widely discussed in the forum. Scotland Yard declined to comment. Peter H

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I think people should be able to wear what they want - but

 

In this particular case the woman was initially interviewed by a man - and she did not wear a veil. The man obviously had no reason to think that she would ever wear a veil.

 

The woman was teaching young children English as a second language (children from around 8 different language bases).

 

The children were finding it difficult to learn English without seeing the teacher's mouth for annunciation.

 

and lastly, it is sex-discrimination on the part of the woman to insist on doing something that means she cannot do her job properly just because a man is present, whereas she wouldn't do it if a woman was present.

 

I repeat, I do not mind what people wear as long as it does not interfere with what they are supposed to be doing, but it would seem that this woman sought the advice of the cleric with the sole purpose of having 'religious' backing for a political decision of her own.

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Monday, October 30, 2006 8:40 PM

Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veil teacher was obeying a fatwaAbul Taher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE Muslim teacher who insisted on wearing a veil in class has been following a fatwa issued personally to her by a Islamic cleric belonging to a hardline sect.Aishah Azmi found herself in the middle of a national row about integration when she took her school to an employment tribunal after it suspended her for refusing to remove the veil in class. Tony Blair joined the debate about the wearing of veils — opened by Jack Straw, the Commons leader — and supported the school’s actions.Azmi, 24, has maintained that her decision to wear the veil was driven entirely by her personal beliefs, rather than the advice or instruction of a third party. But this weekend it emerged that she refused to take the veil off at school after receiving a fatwa, or religious ruling, from Mufti Yusuf Sacha, a Muslim cleric in West Yorkshire. Her legal team revealed that the advice Sacha issued to Azmi ruled that it was obligatory for women to wear the niqab (face-veil) in the presence of men who were not their blood relatives.Sacha is one of several hundred Islamic clerics in Britain with the status of mufti, entitling him to issue fatwas based on Islamic law. Although Muslims are expected to follow fatwas, they are not obliged to do so, particularly if they live in a non-Muslim state.Nick Whittingham, manager at the Kirklees law centre, which defended Azmi, said she went to seek Sacha’s advice before starting a job as classroom assistant at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in September 2005. Whittingham said that Azmi, who had been wearing the niqab since the age of 15, asked Sacha whether women had a choice whether or not to wear the niqab. She was told it was obligatory, Whittingham said.Azmi, who was employed as a bilingual support worker helping British Pakistani children learn English, was told to remove the veil because pupils found it difficult to understand her as they could not see her lips move.In November 2005 the school sent her home on sick leave on the grounds that the strain of the dispute was causing her stress and depression. When Azmi returned to the school in February, she insisted on wearing the veil, prompting the school to suspend her on full pay.During Azmi’s employment tribunal, Sacha was asked to give a written statement. He set out his reasons for insisting that the niqab was obligatory for women.Whittingham said: “I know she went to Sacha for advice before starting the job. And at the tribunal Sacha also set out the religious position, which was accepted by both sides. It said that she is required to wear it in the presence of men who are not her blood relatives, or whom she can potentially marry.”The tribunal ruled that Kirklees council — which runs the school — was within its rights to suspend her from work. But Azmi was awarded £1,100 on the grounds of victimisation.Her legal team is planning to lodge an appeal against the tribunal decision, and is considering taking the case to the European Court of Justice.This weekend Azmi declined to answer questions at her home in Dewsbury. Sacha, who lives in nearby Batley, also refused to comment on the extent of the influence he had on Azmi.Sacha follows the teachings of the Tablighi Jamaat, a hardline Muslim group, elements of which are suspected by western intelligence agencies of having links with terrorism. The majority of Tablighis are, however, regarded as moderate.A colleague of Sacha, who did not want to be named, said that the cleric teaches at the Tablighi mosque in Dewsbury, which has become the organisation’s European headquarters.Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the London bombers, are said to have been regular worshippers there.Sacha’s ruling on the veil is disputed. Mufti Abdul Kadir Barkatullah, who is affiliated to the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “I am 100% sure that wearing the niqab is not obligatory on Muslim women — it is a matter of choice. It’s more about habit than religion. The Tablighis observe the niqab very strictly.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banned extremists regroup

TWO Muslim extremist groups banned after last year’s July 7 bombings have re-formed under a new name, writes Abul Taher.Al Ghurabaa and the Saved Sect, splinter groups of the disbanded Al-Muhajiroun, now operate as Followers of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.

The group runs most of its activities through an internet forum, where one of the main contributors is Anjem Choudhury, the former British head of Al-Muhajiroun, who uses the pseudonym Abou Luqman. He often gives his mobile phone numbers to other members. New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member. A reporter who infiltrated the site found calls for violent holy war, declarations that the Queen is an enemy and recordings from Osama Bin Laden; Ayman al-Zawahiri, his deputy; and terrorists from Iraq. It also contains dozens of voice recordings by Omar Bakri Mohammed, founder of Al-Muhajiroun, who was barred from returning to Britain after going to Lebanon on holiday last year. Bakri’s teachings are widely discussed in the forum.

Scotland Yard declined to comment.

Peter H

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi Peter

 

>New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member.

 

I love the way they put that as though there's something wrong with it. I'm on at least two forums with the same rule - one is a spiritual group where we specifically wanted to be able to discuss spiritual issues in a safe environment, and the other is a list for organisers of Witch Camps and other interested parties - the reason that is " closed " is again because we want to ensure a safe environment for all people involved. I don't see that as being of any particular concern.

 

 

Admittedly, some of the other issues raised are of concern... but why are we only getting to hear of extreme Islamic groups? Why are there never similar articles on B'nai Brith, the KKK, George Bush, or any of the other numerous religious groups who also want to kill off large sections of the populus for religious reasons, but don't happen to be Islamic? This whole bias toward constantly highlighting Islamic fundamentalism and ignoring all other fundamentalism really smacks of racism on behalf of our media, and does seem designed to create hatred towards followers of Islam.

 

 

BB

Peter

[Guest guest]

There does seem some hidden agenda in this case? The Valley Vegan.............jo <jo.heartwork wrote: I think people should be able to wear what they want - but In this particular case the woman was initially interviewed by a man - and she did not wear a veil. The man obviously had no reason to think that she would ever wear a veil. The woman was teaching young children English as a second language (children from around 8 different language bases). The children were finding it difficult to learn English without seeing the teacher's mouth for annunciation. and lastly, it is sex-discrimination on the part of the woman to insist on doing something that means she cannot do her job properly just because a man is present, whereas she wouldn't do it if a woman was present. I repeat, I do not mind what people wear as long as it does not interfere with what they are supposed to be doing, but it would seem that this woman sought the advice of the cleric with the sole purpose of having 'religious' backing for a political decision of her own. Jo - peter VV Monday, October 30, 2006 8:40 PM Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa Veil teacher was obeying a fatwaAbul Taher THE Muslim teacher who insisted on wearing a veil in class has been following a fatwa issued personally to her by a Islamic cleric belonging to a hardline sect.Aishah Azmi found herself in the middle of a national row about integration when she took her school to an employment tribunal after it suspended her for refusing to remove the veil in class. Tony Blair joined the debate about the wearing of veils — opened by Jack Straw, the Commons leader — and supported the school’s actions.Azmi, 24, has maintained that her decision to wear the veil was driven entirely by her personal beliefs, rather than the advice or instruction of a third party. But this weekend it emerged that she refused to take the veil off at school after

receiving a fatwa, or religious ruling, from Mufti Yusuf Sacha, a Muslim cleric in West Yorkshire. Her legal team revealed that the advice Sacha issued to Azmi ruled that it was obligatory for women to wear the niqab (face-veil) in the presence of men who were not their blood relatives.Sacha is one of several hundred Islamic clerics in Britain with the status of mufti, entitling him to issue fatwas based on Islamic law. Although Muslims are expected to follow fatwas, they are not obliged to do so, particularly if they live in a non-Muslim state.Nick Whittingham, manager at the Kirklees law centre, which defended Azmi, said she went to seek Sacha’s advice before starting a job as classroom assistant at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in September 2005. Whittingham said that Azmi, who had been wearing the niqab since the age of 15, asked Sacha whether women had a choice whether or not to wear the niqab.

She was told it was obligatory, Whittingham said.Azmi, who was employed as a bilingual support worker helping British Pakistani children learn English, was told to remove the veil because pupils found it difficult to understand her as they could not see her lips move.In November 2005 the school sent her home on sick leave on the grounds that the strain of the dispute was causing her stress and depression. When Azmi returned to the school in February, she insisted on wearing the veil, prompting the school to suspend her on full pay.During Azmi’s employment tribunal, Sacha was asked to give a written statement. He set out his reasons for insisting that the niqab was obligatory for women.Whittingham said: “I know she went to Sacha for advice before starting the job. And at the tribunal Sacha also set out the religious position, which was accepted by both sides. It said that she is required to wear it in the presence of men who are not her blood

relatives, or whom she can potentially marry.”The tribunal ruled that Kirklees council — which runs the school — was within its rights to suspend her from work. But Azmi was awarded £1,100 on the grounds of victimisation.Her legal team is planning to lodge an appeal against the tribunal decision, and is considering taking the case to the European Court of Justice.This weekend Azmi declined to answer questions at her home in Dewsbury. Sacha, who lives in nearby Batley, also refused to comment on the extent of the influence he had on Azmi.Sacha follows the teachings of the Tablighi Jamaat, a hardline Muslim group, elements of which are suspected by western intelligence agencies of having links with terrorism. The majority of Tablighis are, however, regarded as moderate.A colleague of Sacha, who did not want to be named, said that the cleric teaches at the Tablighi mosque in Dewsbury, which has become the organisation’s European

headquarters.Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the London bombers, are said to have been regular worshippers there.Sacha’s ruling on the veil is disputed. Mufti Abdul Kadir Barkatullah, who is affiliated to the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “I am 100% sure that wearing the niqab is not obligatory on Muslim women — it is a matter of choice. It’s more about habit than religion. The Tablighis observe the niqab very strictly.” Banned extremists regroup TWO Muslim extremist groups banned after last year’s July 7 bombings have re-formed under a new name, writes Abul Taher.Al Ghurabaa and the Saved Sect, splinter groups of the

disbanded Al-Muhajiroun, now operate as Followers of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. The group runs most of its activities through an internet forum, where one of the main contributors is Anjem Choudhury, the former British head of Al-Muhajiroun, who uses the pseudonym Abou Luqman. He often gives his mobile phone numbers to other members. New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member. A reporter who infiltrated the site found calls for violent holy war, declarations that the Queen is an enemy and recordings from Osama Bin Laden; Ayman al-Zawahiri, his deputy; and terrorists from Iraq. It also contains dozens of voice recordings by Omar Bakri Mohammed, founder of Al-Muhajiroun, who was barred from returning to Britain after going to Lebanon on holiday last year. Bakri’s teachings are widely discussed in the forum. Scotland Yard declined to comment.

Peter H Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger. Peter H

 

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[Guest guest]

oh come now

you know we always need to scapegoat a group...

this weeks flavor is islam.....

an oldie but a goodie

 

Crusade anyone?

Peter Kebbell Oct 31, 2006 4:44 AM Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

Hi Peter

 

>New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member.

 

I love the way they put that as though there's something wrong with it. I'm on at least two forums with the same rule - one is a spiritual group where we specifically wanted to be able to discuss spiritual issues in a safe environment, and the other is a list for organisers of Witch Camps and other interested parties - the reason that is "closed" is again because we want to ensure a safe environment for all people involved. I don't see that as being of any particular concern.

 

Admittedly, some of the other issues raised are of concern... but why are we only getting to hear of extreme Islamic groups? Why are there never similar articles on B'nai Brith, the KKK, George Bush, or any of the other numerous religious groups who also want to kill off large sections of the populus for religious reasons, but don't happen to be Islamic? This whole bias toward constantly highlighting Islamic fundamentalism and ignoring all other fundamentalism really smacks of racism on behalf of our media, and does seem designed to create hatred towards followers of Islam.

 

BB

Peter

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

Hi Peter / Peter

 

I agree - there seems to be a concerted effort to try to make us all hate Muslims. I suppose the governments want support for the war, and will try anything. Unfortunately some people do take these attitudes on board, which is very sad.

 

Jo

 

-

Peter Kebbell

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 12:44 PM

Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

 

Hi Peter

 

>New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member.

 

I love the way they put that as though there's something wrong with it. I'm on at least two forums with the same rule - one is a spiritual group where we specifically wanted to be able to discuss spiritual issues in a safe environment, and the other is a list for organisers of Witch Camps and other interested parties - the reason that is "closed" is again because we want to ensure a safe environment for all people involved. I don't see that as being of any particular concern.

 

Admittedly, some of the other issues raised are of concern... but why are we only getting to hear of extreme Islamic groups? Why are there never similar articles on B'nai Brith, the KKK, George Bush, or any of the other numerous religious groups who also want to kill off large sections of the populus for religious reasons, but don't happen to be Islamic? This whole bias toward constantly highlighting Islamic fundamentalism and ignoring all other fundamentalism really smacks of racism on behalf of our media, and does seem designed to create hatred towards followers of Islam.

 

BB

Peter

[Guest guest]

HI Peter

 

As I say, I think in this case there was, but in general I do think people should be able to wear what they want, as long as it is them that choose and it is not chosen for them.

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 3:46 PM

Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

 

There does seem some hidden agenda in this case?

 

The Valley Vegan.............jo <jo.heartwork wrote:

 

I think people should be able to wear what they want - but

 

In this particular case the woman was initially interviewed by a man - and she did not wear a veil. The man obviously had no reason to think that she would ever wear a veil.

 

The woman was teaching young children English as a second language (children from around 8 different language bases).

 

The children were finding it difficult to learn English without seeing the teacher's mouth for annunciation.

 

and lastly, it is sex-discrimination on the part of the woman to insist on doing something that means she cannot do her job properly just because a man is present, whereas she wouldn't do it if a woman was present.

 

I repeat, I do not mind what people wear as long as it does not interfere with what they are supposed to be doing, but it would seem that this woman sought the advice of the cleric with the sole purpose of having 'religious' backing for a political decision of her own.

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Monday, October 30, 2006 8:40 PM

Re: Veil teacher was obeying a fatwa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veil teacher was obeying a fatwaAbul Taher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE Muslim teacher who insisted on wearing a veil in class has been following a fatwa issued personally to her by a Islamic cleric belonging to a hardline sect.Aishah Azmi found herself in the middle of a national row about integration when she took her school to an employment tribunal after it suspended her for refusing to remove the veil in class. Tony Blair joined the debate about the wearing of veils — opened by Jack Straw, the Commons leader — and supported the school’s actions.Azmi, 24, has maintained that her decision to wear the veil was driven entirely by her personal beliefs, rather than the advice or instruction of a third party. But this weekend it emerged that she refused to take the veil off at school after receiving a fatwa, or religious ruling, from Mufti Yusuf Sacha, a Muslim cleric in West Yorkshire. Her legal team revealed that the advice Sacha issued to Azmi ruled that it was obligatory for women to wear the niqab (face-veil) in the presence of men who were not their blood relatives.Sacha is one of several hundred Islamic clerics in Britain with the status of mufti, entitling him to issue fatwas based on Islamic law. Although Muslims are expected to follow fatwas, they are not obliged to do so, particularly if they live in a non-Muslim state.Nick Whittingham, manager at the Kirklees law centre, which defended Azmi, said she went to seek Sacha’s advice before starting a job as classroom assistant at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in September 2005. Whittingham said that Azmi, who had been wearing the niqab since the age of 15, asked Sacha whether women had a choice whether or not to wear the niqab. She was told it was obligatory, Whittingham said.Azmi, who was employed as a bilingual support worker helping British Pakistani children learn English, was told to remove the veil because pupils found it difficult to understand her as they could not see her lips move.In November 2005 the school sent her home on sick leave on the grounds that the strain of the dispute was causing her stress and depression. When Azmi returned to the school in February, she insisted on wearing the veil, prompting the school to suspend her on full pay.During Azmi’s employment tribunal, Sacha was asked to give a written statement. He set out his reasons for insisting that the niqab was obligatory for women.Whittingham said: “I know she went to Sacha for advice before starting the job. And at the tribunal Sacha also set out the religious position, which was accepted by both sides. It said that she is required to wear it in the presence of men who are not her blood relatives, or whom she can potentially marry.”The tribunal ruled that Kirklees council — which runs the school — was within its rights to suspend her from work. But Azmi was awarded £1,100 on the grounds of victimisation.Her legal team is planning to lodge an appeal against the tribunal decision, and is considering taking the case to the European Court of Justice.This weekend Azmi declined to answer questions at her home in Dewsbury. Sacha, who lives in nearby Batley, also refused to comment on the extent of the influence he had on Azmi.Sacha follows the teachings of the Tablighi Jamaat, a hardline Muslim group, elements of which are suspected by western intelligence agencies of having links with terrorism. The majority of Tablighis are, however, regarded as moderate.A colleague of Sacha, who did not want to be named, said that the cleric teaches at the Tablighi mosque in Dewsbury, which has become the organisation’s European headquarters.Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the London bombers, are said to have been regular worshippers there.Sacha’s ruling on the veil is disputed. Mufti Abdul Kadir Barkatullah, who is affiliated to the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “I am 100% sure that wearing the niqab is not obligatory on Muslim women — it is a matter of choice. It’s more about habit than religion. The Tablighis observe the niqab very strictly.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banned extremists regroup

TWO Muslim extremist groups banned after last year’s July 7 bombings have re-formed under a new name, writes Abul Taher.Al Ghurabaa and the Saved Sect, splinter groups of the disbanded Al-Muhajiroun, now operate as Followers of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.

The group runs most of its activities through an internet forum, where one of the main contributors is Anjem Choudhury, the former British head of Al-Muhajiroun, who uses the pseudonym Abou Luqman. He often gives his mobile phone numbers to other members. New users are allowed onto the website only if they are introduced by a member. A reporter who infiltrated the site found calls for violent holy war, declarations that the Queen is an enemy and recordings from Osama Bin Laden; Ayman al-Zawahiri, his deputy; and terrorists from Iraq. It also contains dozens of voice recordings by Omar Bakri Mohammed, founder of Al-Muhajiroun, who was barred from returning to Britain after going to Lebanon on holiday last year. Bakri’s teachings are widely discussed in the forum.

Scotland Yard declined to comment.

Peter H

 

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

Peter H

 

 

 

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