Discussion (Adi SMAIA 24 Boarding)
Discussion (Adi SMAIA 24 Boarding)
Discussion (Adi SMAIA 24 Boarding)
Some
religions require special diet, others prayer at specific times. Why should a religious mode of dress receive as much
protection as these other aspects of religious freedom?
Many Muslim women view the veil as a means to protect their modesty and privacy. Just as we would not force any
women to be seen in public in her underwear if she did not feel comfortable doing so, why should a woman be forced to
show her hair if she does not want to? Modesty is a personal judgment call; some are comfortable in the smallest bikini
while others prefer a lot more clothing. No one but the woman herself should make that decision.
Muslim women are not the only ones to feel coerced over their mode of dress. Most people are affected by the societal
norms surrounding them. Fashion trends could be seen in exactly the same light as religious traditions.
Banning head coverings is only likely to provoke a more extreme reaction among highly religious communities. Framing
laws to ban only Islamic forms of dress could be considered an attack on one religion. Feeling under attack could cause
the Islamic community to close off into itself. They could set up religious schools where their children can dress as they
want them to and not mix with children from other faiths. These effects could never be good for the integration of society
and would further the influence of extremists. Internationally, the perceived attack on Islamic values would inflame wider
Muslim opinion, feed conspiracy theories and add to the dangerous feeling that there is a clash of civilizations.
Intolerant schools make up problems as an excuse for not allowing Muslims freedom of religious expression. In a
multicultural society, students should be aware of the different religious practice and cultural traditions of their classmates,
and be taught to understand and respect these. Without such respect, Muslims and other groups with distinctive dress,
such as Orthodox Jews and Sikhs, will be driven out of mainstream education and forced to educate their children
separately, which will really create divisions and alienation.
Based on the above discussion, the government should not banned Muslim’s headscarf as a part of school or office
uniforms.
Many people say that examinations should be abolished because they are not the best measure of student’s capabilities.
These people believe that students can study on their own and do better without the nagging worry and pressure exerted
by examinations.
Yet, there are persuasive reasons to show that examinations should not be abolished. It is insufficient that teachers assign
homework and correct it. Because this is not done under supervision, they cannot be sure that it is really the work of the
students themselves. Moreover, homework is not a test of student’s ability. Homework is a method of merely keeping him
occupied.
Nowadays, in the hunt for jobs, students need to produce some evidence of their capabilities. Prospective employers like
to see copies of examination results. This is the only way a student’s qualifications can be judged. This attitude greatly
encourages the use of examinations, since it is considered it necessary for them to measure their capabilities.