13/11/07
Strong opposition to the use of the Muslim veil in schools and face covering in public is revealed today in a new opinion poll for the Evening Standard.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents say that Muslim teachers should not be allowed to wear a veil when teaching.
And 84 per cent say that Muslim pupils should not be allowed to wear a veil at school.
The survey shows the sharply divided views of Britons on Islam and the contribution of Muslims to life in the capital.
Among the most striking findings are that half believe that Islam is a "generally intolerant" faith and that Muslims are "isolated" from the rest of the community ...
On Islamic attitudes towards others, for example, 49 per cent say they regard the religion as a generally intolerant faith.
Although 44 per cent have the opposite opinion, the survey also reveals that 51 per cent think that the Muslim community is "somewhat isolated" or "mostly isolated" from the rest of society in the capital. Only four per cent of respondents believe that Muslims are "mostly integrated".
Views on the wearing of the niqab or any other full-face covering in public are still firmly against, with 58 per cent describing it as either entirely or somewhat unacceptable.
