To The Registrar, BRAC University We, the students of BRAC University, have come to know that you have threatened to expel some of our fellow students due to their wearing of the Islamic face veil. According to our knowledge, you have taken this decision for so-called security reasons. You have stated that the face veil is a barrier to identification. To our surprise, a similar (if not identical) reason was given by the French and Belgian governments when they had decided to ban the face veil. The steps taken against the face veil by those western governments were perceived by the Islamic world to be a sign of hostility towards Islam. Although these governments claim to believe in thoughts such as Freedom of Belief, their attack on Islamic symbols have expressed their hypocrisy. Therefore, it is of grave concern to us, that a reputed institution such as BRAC University has taken an uncannily similar decision. We used to believe that BRAC University accommodates all religious views and practices and evaluates its students according to their merit. However, this recent decision has gone against such an image of BRAC University and instead has expressed the apparent anti-Islamic bigotry that has so far only been exhibited by Fascist Far-right parties in the West. Furthermore, this problem could have been solved by keeping female guards to check the female students who have chosen to wear Niqab. However, according to our knowledge, you don’t want to take this step (a step which can protect a girl’s modesty, respect her religious duty and ensures her freedom of expression) due to “increased costs” We wonder, why an institution such as BRAC University, would find it difficult to employ a few (or even one) female guard(s) for female students. We are aware of the fact that you have not given any written notice to the students yet, regarding their wearing of the face veil. Therefore, we kindly request you to clarify your position (and dispel the rumors) officially by Saturday. We hope that BRAC University will live up to its reputation and give us a decision in favor of students practicing their faith, something which every human being holds dearly. Students of BRAC University
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:34:29 +0000