Sunday 20 October, 10.30am until 12.00pm, Hammerson Room Hot off the Press 2013
Former Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne recently stated that as a nation, we need to have a discussion about whether or not the face veil should be banned in public places. This is not the first time such a statement has been made, and in light of the ban in France, politicians of all persuasions have voiced an opinion. But what is it that is so offensive about the burqa? Is it an overt symbol of female oppression? Do these women need ‘protecting’ as Browne suggests, or does the very nature of a liberal, pluralistic society mean we have to allow for all forms of religious and cultural expression? Is the burqa fundamentally un-British; a provocative gesture by those who are defiantly unwilling to subscribe to British cultural norms? Or is legislating to police what people wear what’s truly un-British? Would a ban undermine the values of freedom and tolerance just to deal with non-problem? Or is it simply common sense?
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Rania Hafez
programme leader, MA Education, Greenwich University; fellow, The Muslim Institute |
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Elizabeth Oldfield
director, Theos, religion and society think-tank |
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Max Wind-Cowie
deputy director, ResPublica |
Chair: | |
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Anwar Oduro-Kwarteng
promotions manager, Academy of Ideas; writer on politics and ideology |
A crisis of compassion: who cares?
"I have been doing the Battle of Ideas for a couple of years, but never before have I felt so heartened and so alive as the day ended. The spectacle of so many fascinating minds, none too proud to agree, none too modern to disagree, all at work on the most important questions of this rocky period: it's enough to make you believe there's hope for the species, yet."
Zoe Williams, columnist, Guardian; author, What Not to Expect When You're Expecting