Jim Fitzpatrick, a British minister criticized the segregation of male and
female guests at Muslim wedding. Yet another 'Gaffe' from another jumped up,
half-baked, ill-educated Labour moron; a former fireman indeed. He learned
nothing about putting out fires rather than starting them. He actually has a
GCSE 'D' in Politics? God Help us internationally if he is ever made a
Diplomat. I suppose he left in a huff because there was no beer an' 'Am
sandwiches at the buffet. The Minister's action is just a stupid,
attention-getting stunt appealing to prejudices. This serves only to inflame
the prejudices so widespread today. People have their customs, and you don't
insult them. It hasn't been that long since our society had some public
institutions that kept men and women separate. And it hasn't been that long
since women in our society typically wore hats with veils. Plenty of Western
customs, we accept as normal, are unacceptable or ridiculous to others.
Muslim marriage is a religious ceremony. He insulted the bride and groom for
his own political gain. They should not walk out because it would have been bad
manners and rudeness to do so. They should respect the couple wishes, itรขยยs
their big day. He should have ascertained what the customs are beforehand, and
then not attended if he thinks the practice offensive. One should have respect
of others people's customs, even if one does not agree. Perhaps he should grow
up and get an injection of reality. If you are not prepared to accept this
then don't go or don't insult the bride and groom by walking out. What a
disgusting small minded little man. Just shows the caliber of today's MP's from
all parties. Well being a Labour politician his appalling ignorance of Islamic
tradition plus downright rudeness to his hosts does not surprise me in the
least. He should do his homework instead of ruining someoneรขยยs day. He is
totally an ignorant person. If a Muslim wants to have separation at a wedding
(like much of the Muslim world) then they should be allowed to, and don't
insult them when they do. Jewish wedding has observed the tradition of
separating of men & women at ceremonies, without raising any eyebrows. Men and
women are separated in Masajid and Synagogues. Muslim secondary schools are
also segregated.
In the past another British Minister Jack Straw caused a similar furore when
he referred to Muslim veils as รขยยa visible statement of separation and
differenceรขยย and called for women to remove them during surgeries in his
Blackburn constituency. No one has the right to ban the freedom of choice in a
secular and democratic country. The right to choice is a basic fundamental
right the person should have. To veil or not to veil should be an individual
choice. Dress codes are for children. Muslim women should be free to wear
burqas. If women get Away with wearing cropped shirts and pants that show their
panties, they should be able to wear burqas too.
Globalisation is here to stay, Muslims are here to stay and so are other
communities. Those idiot British ministers need to learn that the world is made
up of different people and the British society and its Establishment need to
learn to accept and tolerate every culture for what it is and most importantly
respect and tolerate the values of each and every religion.
Iftikhar Ahmad
www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk