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British Airlines' double standards vis-a-vis burqa

       London: British Airways has been accused of adopting double standards, while dealing with the Muslims and the Christians. While recently it had sent a Christian female home for wearing a cross, it has allowed the Muslim staff to wear veils. Check-in worker Nadia Eweida has been on unpaid leave for a month now, after British Airlines (BA) banned her from wearing her tiny cross on a necklace over her uniform. The airlines had added further insult to injury when it said that she could return to work wearing her cross - but only if she accepted a back room job where she would not come into contact with the public. Only hours later, the airline's "muddled thinking was confirmed" when a spokesman said that any request from stewardesses or other uniformed staff to wear a full-face 'niqab' would be given serious consideration. "The request would be subject to a rigorous review, taking into account practicality, health and safety and security regulations," the Daily Mail quoted the spokesman as saying. While the MPs described the latest developments as "ludicrous", Miss Eweida said that the suggestion that she should take a back room job was "morally degrading". She demanded to know why she had to hide her faith from the public when Muslims and Sikhs can openly display theirs by wearing hijabs, turbans, and possibly a full-face veil. BA says Miss Eweida's cross is a breach of its strict dress code. But, Miss Eweida reacts to this by saying:: "This is unfair. They are telling me to be out of sight. Why should I be hiding away in a non-uniform position when my Muslim and Sikh colleagues can be seen by the public? It is as if the cross is taboo. Despite all the people who have backed me, BA are still anti-cross. What is wrong with a little cross? I don't see why I should be ostracised and hidden away. This is a threat for other people and their freedom to express their faith. If I go back to work I will be wearing my cross for everyone to see. I will not resign - they will have to sack me." The 'cross row' has attracted international attention as it coincided with Jack Straw's call for Muslim women to remove their veils.
-Oct 26,  2006

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