Straw's Having His Surgeries Today - Pay Him a Visit!

[Ali Abdullah]

Facing His Local People
Sky News Updated: 05:45, Friday October 13, 2006

Jack Straw will hold his first constituency surgery in Blackburn today since making his controversial comments about Muslim women wearing veils.

The Leader of the Commons and former Foreign Secretary revealed he asked Muslim women at his surgeries to consider removing veils.

He said they get in the way of effective communication.

Writing in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last week, he said the veil was "a visible statement of separation and of difference" between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

No one had refused his request at previous surgeries, Mr Straw added.

His comments sparked anger among some Muslim groups, with reports of racist abuse and hate mail as well as one women having a veil pulled from her face.

Protests are expected at his two advice surgeries to be held today at Mill Hill Community Centre and Little Harwood Community Centre.

Yesterday, Mr Straw said he stood by his veil comment.

He said: "I don't regret it and yes, I stand by it."

Asked about the scarcity of support among Cabinet colleagues for his stance, he added: "I made those comments as a concerned constituency Member of Parliament.

"These were my views ... maybe my concerns were misplaced, but I thought there was an issue here."

[waq1-9]

Assalamualaikum Brother/Sister(s)

Okay enough Straw Bashing/Harvesting . I think the man deserves his opinion, it is his right. Just as we have the right to sit here and criticise him. I wonder how many Non-Musims actually learned about true Islam due to the debate triggered by his comments ? Jack Straws comments may have done more good than harm, Afterall has the support of Muslim women ever been so widely publicized in regards to the Niqab/Hijab ?

[Ali Abdullah]

This could be taken 2 ways. One is to just stand outside shouting. The other is for some of his Muslim constituants to meet him and actually discuss the matter, that is what an MPs surgery is for!

[waq1-9]

Good point Brother :)

[mustaqeem2]

Assalamualaikum Brother/Sister(s)

Okay enough Straw Bashing/Harvesting . I think the man deserves his opinion, it is his right. Just as we have the right to sit here and criticise him. I wonder how many Non-Musims actually learned about true Islam due to the debate triggered by his comments ? Jack Straws comments may have done more good than harm, Afterall has the support of Muslim women ever been so widely publicized in regards to the Niqab/Hijab ?
Isn't he an elected official? Doesn't his public opinion matter, especially in regards to issues pertaining to others?

Sorry I'm not sure if this is the case in the UK. Here, if an MP has publically expressed an opinion that doesn't sit well with some people, that MP is subject to receiving mails and calls from the constituents. Therefore, if he has an opinion that is contrary to even a percent of his constituents and he expresses that, he will receive his just desserts. After all, he is an ELECTED official and it is our tax dollars (or pounds/euros or whatever you Brits use) that are paying his salary.

[waq1-9]

Isn't he an elected official? Doesn't his public opinion matter, especially in regards to issues pertaining to others?

Sorry I'm not sure if this is the case in the UK. Here, if an MP has publically expressed an opinion that doesn't sit well with some people, that MP is subject to receiving mails and calls from the constituents. Therefore, if he has an opinion that is contrary to even a percent of his constituents and he expresses that, he will receive his just desserts. After all, he is an ELECTED official and it is our tax dollars (or pounds/euros or whatever you Brits use) that are paying his salary.

Assalamualaikum Brother/Sister(s)

Of course his public opinion matters.

My initial thread is referring to the personal attacks that have been carried out by fellow Muslims on this man, because of his airing of an opinion/belief, I further went on to state that i thought this was wrong because he does have a right to his opinion, as Muslims we should respect this right and put our view/belief forward in a non-insulting,respectful manner, a method that will reflect on us as good Muslims.

[planet]

`


jack straw is having his surgeries today...?


which ward is he in...?


and do i have to take grapes & flowers with my 'dont get well' card...?...



`

[Ali Abdullah]

.........:lol:

[Isaac]

:lol: ....

[justice]

If a Citizen woman from his constituency wears niqab and she goes to see her elected representative, he may ask her to remove it. But if she refuses does he have the right to sy I can't speak to you unless you remove the niqab?

I think brother Ashgar made a good point in Sky news when he asked if Mr Straw has a phone/mobile/email. Surely he can't claim that he is unable to communicate properly without a face to face conversation.

[dark_knight]

perhap the dark knight could pay him a visit.
i promise to keep my mask on! lol