Quote Originally Posted by Fengzi
I was thinking along the same lines. To say that her veil does not prevent her from doing her job is taking a pretty narrow view of "doing her job". There is more to teaching than just lecturing and writing on the board, especially at an elementary (they said "junior" school so I'm making an assumption) level. My big question is would it be a distraction for the children and how would they respond to it? To be a teacher implies that those who are being taught are learning. If her wearing the veil in any way inhibits the children's learning, say by being such a distraction that they pay more attention to it than their lessons, than it should be forbidden.

Their has to be a limit on the whole "freedom of religion" argument when it is applied to discrimination in the workplace. What if she were a he, and was from some tribe in Papua New Guniea were the men wear nothing but a penis gourd (http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/pgourd3b.jpg). If he were a teacher, would he be allowed to wear that to class? Most likley not. But what it was part of his religion? Wouldn't it be descrimination to forbid him from wearing it? If this woman is allowed to wear her veil, then he would have to be allowed his gourd.

What if in addition to her veil she expects to be allowed to stop class so she can face Mecca and pray several times a day? Should this be allowed? And, at what point does all of this start to impose on a child's right not to have the Mulsim religion forced on him/her?

Bottom line, it is wrong to deny someone a job because of their religion. It is not wrong, however, to demand that they adhere to a certain code of conduct and demeanor.
oh...ok