A Keighley Islamic group has rallied to the defence of Muslim women wishing to wear the full face veil.

Keighley Muslim Association said this type of clothing – also known as a niqab – is a personal choice and worthy of respect.

The subject has resurfaced following a decision by a judge to allow a Muslim woman in London to wear a face veil in court, so long as she removed it while giving evidence.

Only a minority of Keighley’s Muslim women wear full face veils, though many wear head scarves.

Association spokesman Mohammed Saleem said: “We believe dress is a matter of personal choice, and we do not wish to go down the slippery slope of dictating what people should or should not wear.

“There are many Muslim women who do not wear full niqab. There are others who see the wearing of full niqab as an essential expression of their faith and cultural identity. We must respect these and other choices.

“British public institutions over the years have made a great deal of progress in acknowledging and accommodating people’s different ways of life. That needs to be welcomed and encouraged, not shunned.

“Where an identity of an individual is deemed essential for security or other legal purposes, sensitive arrangements need to be put in place to do that.”

He said association members were keen to meet Keighley MP Kris Hopkins and learn where he stands on the issue.

Mr Hopkins responded: “In my experience, telling someone – particularly a young person – they can’t do something often guarantees the opposite outcome.

“This is one of several reasons why I would not be in favour of imposing a ban on veils.

“However, there are issues around personal identification and security that need to be considered and where common sense must prevail.

“I’m happy to meet with local faith groups on these matters, because we need to ensure equality is achieved. Asking someone of the Christian faith to remove a cross from around their neck is of as much concern to me as asking someone of the Muslim faith to remove their face veil.”

A Muslim Women’s Council spokesman said: “How a woman chooses to dress, whether in public or private, should not be dictated by the state nor should it be driven by irrational fear or hysteria.”

Bana Gora, chief executive of the council, added: “The debate is often framed in a negative, Islamophobic way.

“It’s vital we in the UK don’t fall into the same trap as other Western European countries that have banned not only the niqab but also the head scarf.”

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