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Racist attacker tried to rip veil off Muslim woman

8:14am Saturday 13th January 2007

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AN attacker tried to rip off the veil of a Muslim woman while racially abusing her, police said today.

The 37-year-old woman was crossing a busy park near Solent University in Southampton on Thursday when a white man aged in his 20s approached her.

He started shouting racial abuse and told her to remove her veil.

Police said the attacker then attempted to take the veil off, but failed as the woman managed to push him and walk away.

Pc Leigh Walker said: ''This attack was particularly degrading for the victim who has strong religious beliefs that don't allow her to remove her veil in public with men around.

''We need to put a stop to this kind of behaviour by someone who is ignorant to the diverse society that we live in.

''We will not stand for any type of racial or religious abuse and will deal with anyone who does abuse or assault people like this robustly.

''There were plenty of people in the area as it was daytime and plenty at the nearby bus stops, so lots of people must have seen what happened.''

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Your Say YourThis is Hampshire

Jed Russell, says...
9:13am Sat 13 Jan 07

Same thing happened to me in a bank with a crash helmet I had on.

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Robert, says...
9:22am Sat 13 Jan 07

Yet another attack - in East Park no doubt? I've already appealed, through the Echo's Letters Page, for clear warnings to be given about using this park, and other town centre parks also. These appeals have often evoked a hostile reaction, but my ego can stand that!

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Robert, says...
9:24am Sat 13 Jan 07

Come on Jed - this is no laughing matter!

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helen in tenerife, says...
10:31am Sat 13 Jan 07

this is todays society .racist .glad to have escaped .its sad for future generations having to put up with it thio

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Sharon, says...
11:14am Sat 13 Jan 07

I think Jed has a valid point. You can't wear a crash helmet into a Bank but you can wear a veil. You can see more of a persons face with a crash helmet on than you can with a veil!!!!!

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dave, says...
11:35am Sat 13 Jan 07

But noone attacks you or gives you racist abuse for wearing a crash helmut do they!
Well done Jack Straw, you're to blame for this!

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jim bull, says...
6:43pm Sat 13 Jan 07

in our country live by our rules,i find them wearing them offensive why we have to **** foot around these people , cant even say p ussy lol,

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UP THE SAINTS, says...
7:38pm Sat 13 Jan 07

God i hate the way the media these days labels everything 'RACIST'.

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Robert, says...
9:38pm Sat 13 Jan 07

This thread makes grim reading in parts but it gives us a valuable insight into currents of opinion that don't normally come into the open. Some people will doubtless want to outlaw this sort of exchange but it's much healthier to let it all hang out!

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Student, says...
11:06pm Sat 13 Jan 07

I am doing a diploma work about racims so I am using your comments for a psychological study. I am profiling racist personality and the rise of modern racist culture in the western societies. These news stories are a perfect test. I compare it with the statistics of the public attitude towards Jews in German, Austrian and Dutch society from 1933 - 1945. The parallels are truly fascinating even though people in Germany (although considering Jews aliens in their culture, just like you do of Muslims) did not attack them on the streets in the early years of the period I am investigating. So please keep it comming. And it would be nice if you could tell me about the negative psychological reactions in cases when you encounter a) a Jew, b) a Muslim, c) a Hindu. Can some of you also, please, describe in 5 words 1) the anxiety 2) the hatred in the aforementioned situations? I appreciate your help.

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jah, says...
11:15pm Sat 13 Jan 07

helen in tenerife wrote:
this is todays society .racist .glad to have escaped .its sad for future generations having to put up with it thio
you sad bint..
glad to have escaped racist society? what in tenerife .. ffs!
How tolerant are you of the african migrants arriving in tenerife..

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Student, says...
11:27pm Sat 13 Jan 07

Thank you, jah. I knew I can count on you guys.

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Tony Gray, says...
11:28pm Sat 13 Jan 07

Until we accept each other as fellow humans we will never accept each others religious beliefs, let alone peoples feelings. The British public have succumbed to Government brainwashing and the goal of religious fundamentalist terrorism. Strange how people cannot accept ones religious beliefs, while my sister living in a moslem country can buy and drink wine etc. allowed to follow her religious beliefs and is not treated like dirt by that countrys government and people.
We have got it wrong over here.

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Robert, says...
8:54am Sun 14 Jan 07

Student - I hardly need tell you that the posts on here are far from being a "representative sample", as the Dimbleby brothers would say. The academic world requires a much broader research operation!

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marie jasper, says...
10:27am Sun 14 Jan 07

The day I can go to mass and church in a muslim country wear my cross in public over there, without the backlash They can use a binliner over their heads for all I care. But the last few years there are two sorts of rule THEIRS an ours.

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British Hindu, says...
2:34pm Sun 14 Jan 07

OH MY GOD!!! I came across this article and thought id read the reflecting comments. When i got to the end of this forum the only phrase that came to me was 'OH MY GOD!... What will the future of this country become and is this what the next generation has to look forward to.'

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Mother, says...
3:08pm Sun 14 Jan 07

RACISM is a state of mind when your Xenophobia (denotes a phobic attitude towards strangers or of the unknown) defeats your human consciousness and humanity. For me it is the demonstration of the animalism in human society. When you put two different animals into a cage they don't go near each other, but are reserved and aggressive towards each others.
Religion is what makes us different because it teaches us to respect others and differences. I don't like it when I go into a buss and people don't speak to each other (because it reminds me of this animalism, no trust in others). I was astound to see that in Turkey unknown people greet each other on the street. For me it is a sign that people feel good in needing each other and indeed that is a civilization. In Germany we have deadly "peace" in the metro. I can't stand those concepts of not approachig people openly.
I refuse to follow our animalistic footsteps of fear. Why, I have friends that I love who are Jews and Muslims. I have seen in a book on Muslim prophet (about his life) written by a Catholic, something he said: "No white man has supremacy over a black man or a black man over a white man". The Muslims who are following his example are the good citizens of our society and than we go instead of attacking terrorists we attack the beloved person of them, their women, humiliate them with RACISTIC cartoons in Denmark, and the ones who should we humiliate are terrorists.
Where is a ground for conversation if we do that? And we have and must live together. Lets learn something in which they succeded and we failed and that indeed is RACISM. They just don't have it, I did a research on this and I applaud that they were able to make a society without racism, we were not able to do this. On the other hand, they have to learn our values too. It is the easiest thing to label them all as bad. But the truth is all cultures have an imense amount of values, cultural products which God has dispersed all over the planet in order to connect us by sharing this values and cultures. But there is a test too, will you rob your neighbours house when he is not home, will you pay a proper fee to the seller.
Democracy is how we treat minorities in our society, because it is easy to treat a small group badly, real challenge is to be human. We are put on a test and that is the test of humanity and civilization. I hope we don't fail again.

All prophets of God said: "He who provides peace is indeed the child of God"




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convert muslim, says...
3:17pm Sun 14 Jan 07

Hello all,

I have to say that I am shocked by some of the posts on here.
The veil is not against the law and is not worn by a lot of people in this country. I get offended when I see a guy with rude words on his shirt and I don't like seeinga women in a mini sirt, but this does not give me the right to go up and shout abuse at them.
Whatever happened to the liberal britian I grew up in? Where people could live anyway they liked and do anything they like so long as it didn't brake the law.
I see a lot of you saying 'well once we can do what we want in their country, then they can do whjat they want in my ountryt' Doesn't this make this country as bad as the middle east, doesn't this country become a dictatorship when it gets to decide what people wear?
You know I do have to take off my veil when I go into a bank and I have to take it off to give any ID.

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Muslimwoman, says...
3:19pm Sun 14 Jan 07

I am vear hijab, yes I doo, prodly. I have a Masters Degree in Administartion Economy and I am a proud Western European.
I call upon our values, that are democracy and religion. I want people to look with fool eyes at others (who are optically different) and not with an empty, cold gaze, not distinctive from the one of a wild creaure. We are the same people with dreams, every day problems and ambitions.
May God open the eyes of those whose hearths know only how to hate.

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Talking Head, says...
5:52pm Sun 14 Jan 07

If everyone had stayed in their own country and minded their own business, we wouldn't have this huge mess called "racism" to sort out. Generally speaking, most races dislike each other, and their cultures don't mix. No matter what idealistic claptrap "concerned" folk come up with, a hundred years from now skinheads will still be attacking Pakistanis, and Muslims will still hate the Western Infidel. Instead of more silly integration ideas, we ought to be planning global repatriation. Oh horror ! What has he said ? Face it, nothing else has worked.

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Robert Jens-Olsen, says...
7:30pm Sun 14 Jan 07

My ancestors arrived here in a Viking ship from Scandinavia and we caused a major surge in murder, pillage and rape. We're a peaceful lot nowadays and happy to live and let live - until, that is, somebody like Talking Head threatens to drive us out. My trusty sword lies concealed and is still sharp enough to separate Talking Head from Talking Body. Or maybe I'll just cut his tongue out with my eating knife. Could try frying it up with some onions.

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Lucy, says...
9:29am Mon 15 Jan 07

Can I just remind everyone here that Britain is a country created from immigrants, there is no such thing in this country as being 100% british - we are a country of mixed race people.

I am disturbed by the comments that have been posted here and wonder where this hatred has come from - we claim to be a developed and civilised country but anyone reading these comments can see that many of us are stuck in the dark ages where anyone who is different is "wrong" or "should be sent home".

How can this be a advanced society with views like that - surely we fought to keep views like this out of our country in WW2 - only to breed them ourselves 60 years later. Where is the line between what most of these posters claim and the views of Hitler?

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Referee, says...
10:29am Mon 15 Jan 07

Thinking hard and carefully about how to respond to what's been written on this (for want of a better word) forum. I must say that if you take away the fact that the woman in question was a muslim this is still an attack on a woman and deserves nothing but condemnation on that point alone. we in this country are able to follow any religous belief we like be it Christianity Islam Jewish or even Jedi Knight if we so wish. That is the freedom we fought for. And I have no problem with any persons faith. The problem I believe in this country is we are changing Laws to accomodate people of all sorts of religous/ethnic backgrounds. By doing so we are alienating the natives of this country. Someone earlier (really don't care who) said about what the Australians did to their Aboriganies. Or shall we think of what the Imigrants did to the Native Americans. This country, in round about way, is doing the same thing to the British, without the wholesale massacre that was commited in Oz/US. This could be the reason why so many people have over the past few years become "racist" in their attitudes. I am not in any way trying to offend anyone .... Just trying to point out that this situation isn't about black and white but more shades of grey.

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British Punjab, says...
12:09pm Mon 15 Jan 07

The British government need to differentiate between toleration and capitulation to other faiths.
I wholly understand the concerns of"the white British public" but change must occur as a result of reasonable debate - not physical attacks and abuse.

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Muslim, says...
1:04pm Mon 15 Jan 07

I was woundering if any Asian chatolic nuns from Pakistain or Itlay who practice the full head scarf would be attacked in the same way in Britain.I don't believe it is a racist attack rather a Islamophobic attack against a innocent women. Both racisim and religious haterted are different evils with the same root. This is either out of ignorance or deliberate to have a polictical backlash against Muslims. Latter being worest since it had an intened outcome while the first was more of a emotional reaction, however both are equally wrong.

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rich, says...
3:28pm Mon 15 Jan 07

what colour was it?

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rich, says...
3:45pm Mon 15 Jan 07

I can only sympathise with the chap, perhaps if
they could identify themselfs better, perhaps with a label, (I don’t mean full washing instruction, what would a chap need with that?) No I mean just name, he might not have found the need to take a peek.

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David Lardon, says...
4:03pm Mon 15 Jan 07

Rich, I find your comments outwrageous and mildly offensive !


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rich, says...
4:11pm Mon 15 Jan 07

What? I'm only trying to help, can't a chap offer a way forward? I know a set of twins and am always getting them confused, they did not take offence when I suggested a similer idea to them.

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David Lardon, says...
4:32pm Mon 15 Jan 07

...twins are another matter - they don't normally dress in identical clothes - although if they do I would (reluctantly)agree to your labelling idea. I think I see your point now, apologies oh great thinker !

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rich, says...
4:52pm Mon 15 Jan 07

thank you for your comments, I do not throw suggestions away lightly, I have thought long and hard about the problem of miss-identification, and labels do seem the way forward, they are certainly less exspensive than making a mask from the cast of the wearers face that could be worn instead of the veil, although this was one of my favourites, as it gives both the wearer and the veiwer what they need, that being modesty and identification. also with this plan one could have a set of them to match your moods and shoes...

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David Lardon, says...
5:13pm Mon 15 Jan 07

All the usual arguments regarding hoodies, helmets etc. have, as always, been brought up in this case. Would it not be sensible to change the law so that if a bird wanted to obscure her face for religious reasons she should also wear a hoodie, sunglasses, crash helment or balaclave ? If this were the case then the same laws and regulations could be applied regardless of religious belief or fashion.... restrictions in Post Offices, Shopping Centres, Passport Control would therefore be consistent !

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rich, says...
5:23pm Mon 15 Jan 07

good point well made... but surely that would mean the authorities would have to make a decision. something that is unheard of. No I say "label". you can design your own label, they could be used to identify yourself with other cool cliques like the christians, the baptists, the st. denys crew, the jews, the bitterne posse. I know if ind it difficult telling them all apart.

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I am a Muslim Woman, says...
1:04pm Tue 16 Jan 07

I am a Muslim Woman

I am a Muslim Woman
Feel free to ask me why
When I walk, I walk with dignity
When I speak, I do not lie

I am a Muslim Woman,
Not all of me you'll see
But what you should appreciate
Is that the choice I make is free

I'm not plagued with depression
I'm neither cheated nor abused
I don't envy other women
And I'm certainly not confused

Note, I speak perfect English
Et un petit peu de francais aussie
I'm majoring in Linguistics
So you need not speak slowly
I own my own small business
Every cent I earn is mine
I drive my Chevy to school and work
And no, that's not a crime

You often stare as I walk by
You don't understand my veil
But peace and power I have found
For I am equal to any male

I am a Muslim Woman
So please don't pity me
For God has guided me to truth
And now I'm finally free!




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A Muslim Woman, says...
1:06pm Tue 16 Jan 07

WOMEN OF THE VEIL
by Hena Farooq

Her long, thick, shiny black hair
Fell against her back.
Her rich, copper skin
Gleamed in the sunlight.
Her slender figure outlined,
With her soft voluptuous curves.
But when she stepped outside,
She became a ghostly figure of the night.
Nothing more to the people
Than a dark, shadowy figure of oppression.
But she showed them.
As she walked down the street,
People made way,
Men lowered their gazes in utmost respect.
And others whispered,
As she held her head up high,
With pride in her belief
And showed them how oppressed she really was!
While they whistled at their women,
Looking them up and down as they were pieces of meat to be inspected?
She pitied their savage ways.
As she walked into the arms of her partner,
Her only love, Her husband.
Where she was transformed,
Into her beautiful self,
For only his eyes to see

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Truly Free, says...
1:08pm Tue 16 Jan 07

FREE by Sami Yusuf

What goes through your mind?
As you sit there looking at me
Well I can tell from your looks
That you think I’m so oppressed
But I don’t need for you to liberate me

My head is not bare
And you can’t see my covered hair
So you sit there and you stare
And you judge me with your glare
You’re sure I’m in despair
But are you not aware
Under this scarf that I wear
I have feelings, and I do care

CHORUS:
So don’t you see?
That I’m truly free
This piece of scarf on me
I wear so proudly
To preserve my dignity...

My modesty
My integrity
So don’t judge me
Open your eyes and see...
“Why can’t you just accept me?” she says
“Why can’t I just be me?” she says
Time and time again
You speak of democracy
Yet you rob me of my liberty
And all I want is equality
Why can’t you just let me be free?

For you I sing this song
My sister, may you always be strong
From you I’ve learnt so much
How you suffer so much
Yet you forgive those who laugh at you
You walk with no fear
Through the insults you hear
Your wish so sincere
That they’d understand you
But before you walk away
This time you turn and say:

But don’t you see?
That I’m truly free
This piece of scarf on me
I wear so proudly
To preserve my dignity
My modesty
My integrity
So let me be
She says with a smile
I’m the one who’s free

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Rich, says...
4:09pm Wed 17 Jan 07

A Muslim Woman wrote:
WOMEN OF THE VEIL by Hena Farooq Her long, thick, shiny black hair Fell against her back. Her rich, copper skin Gleamed in the sunlight. Her slender figure outlined, With her soft voluptuous curves. But when she stepped outside, She became a ghostly figure of the night. Nothing more to the people Than a dark, shadowy figure of oppression. But she showed them. As she walked down the street, People made way, Men lowered their gazes in utmost respect. And others whispered, As she held her head up high, With pride in her belief And showed them how oppressed she really was! While they whistled at their women, Looking them up and down as they were pieces of meat to be inspected? She pitied their savage ways. As she walked into the arms of her partner, Her only love, Her husband. Where she was transformed, Into her beautiful self, For only his eyes to see
so, do you think that a labeling system would help?

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lala, says...
6:31pm Wed 17 Jan 07

´rich you know I wish some girls here would be so devoted to one man you know, as these and they are to be respected. i have a problem when my women goes naked arround as an object of other mans ****. so I gues that is why they don't devorse so often as we or sleep with other people.
those are fine girls i know them from my college, dont drink or smoke and never get stoned, lets show some respect ha??

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Rich, says...
7:57pm Fri 19 Jan 07

Ithink i should explain... Would a labeling system help, so that non veil wearers could identify at a distance if the person was someone they knew or not... or are you saying that non muslims should not even be talking to the wearers of veils...? I ask the questions, but still nobody answers. This is only an obsovation but it seems that the commenters on here seem to be obsessed with sex. Why is that?

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Margret, says...
7:59pm Fri 19 Jan 07

lala wrote:
´rich you know I wish some girls here would be so devoted to one man you know, as these and they are to be respected. i have a problem when my women goes naked arround as an object of other mans ****. so I gues that is why they don't devorse so often as we or sleep with other people. those are fine girls i know them from my college, dont drink or smoke and never get stoned, lets show some respect ha??
No, still didn't get it, say again?

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Laila, Cairo says...
5:02pm Mon 12 Feb 07

It is nor a requirement of Islam to wear a veil or a hijab! Your behaviour is what matters! A veiled woman is frightening to many British people. Muslims should be more sensitive to this or go and live in an Islamic state.

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You dirty scummers, POMPEY says...
3:46am Sun 25 Feb 07

Some of the posts on here... I'm ashamed to be british. Your nuffin but racist scum. I would gladly kick your teeth in. So uneducated it's unbelievable. If you spent less time wasting your time down the pub, talking about how them "immigrants" come over, take your money, your house etc.. Maybe you would have time to learn summin, ****.

Is it only muslims that wear veils??! Idiots! Up until 40 years ago, all christians who were church goers HAD to wear a headscarf. What about nuns? Should we ask them what theyre names are..and see if they're fit underneath the clothes?!

And for those racists among us.. Islam is NOT a colour!

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