AN ORGANISATION promoting racial harmony in Dorset has branded an MP’s calls to ban the burka “absurd”.
As reported in the Daily Echo, South Dorset MP Richard Drax spoke out against the veil, worn by some Muslim women, writing in sister newspaper the Dorset Echo.
The Conservative MP wrote: “Asking a woman to uncover her face is not shaming her, especially when she has chosen to live in a western democracy like ours. By following our customs, integration is far more likely, as is social cohesion.
“My view is that a healthy democracy relies upon a spirit of openness. To interact freely and without fear, we must all show our faces and be identifiable.”
Now, the Bournemouth-based Dorset Race Equality Council has said it is “dismayed and disappointed” by the remarks.
Chief officer Adnan Chaudry said: ‘This is such a non-issue in South Dorset. At a time when his constituents are facing job losses, cuts in public services and financial uncertainty, Mr Drax recommends this absurd suggestion, as opposed to addressing these other serious problems.
“To raise this issue only increases prejudice and tensions in our communities.
“We recently passed the two-year mark towards the Olympics and Dorset will be welcoming a large number of international visitors. It is particularly important that we are seen to be tolerant of people of all races, creeds and appearances.”
Mr Drax said he stood by his views and added: “Millions of people died in two great world wars to give people like me and others in our country the freedom of speech and I should be free to speak my mind.
“I’ve expressed an opinion that is, all right, not a huge issue in South Dorset as there’s not a huge number of Muslims in South Dorset, but there’s an increasing number living in the UK and I form part of a government that is governing the country.
“My job is also to look nationally and internationally at issues that affect us all.”
