One of Britain’s largest colleges has been forced to lift a ban on Muslim face veils after a petition calling for the dropping of the ban gathered thousands of signatures.
Birmingham Metropolitan College had introduced regulations that required students to remove œhoodies, hats, caps and veils so that faces are visible”.
The college was backed by British Prime Minister David Cameron in its move but Cameron™s deputy Nick Clegg had expressed œunease” about the decision.
Faced with a huge opposition, the college said on Facebook on Friday that it will drop the ban to allow “individuals to wear specific items of personal clothing to reflect their cultural values”.
The opposition took shape after some 9,000 people signed a petition set up by the National Union of Students (NUS) Black Students’ Campaign.
NUS black students’ officer Aaron Kiely had described the ban as œa complete infringement on the rights to religious freedom and cultural expression and is a clear violation of a woman’s right to choose”.
Hundreds of students were also planning to protest against the ban on Friday.
The lifting of the ban was hailed as œenormously welcome” by British opposition Labour party.
This comes as Cameron™s Conservative party is pushing a parliamentary bill that prohibits people from wearing face coverings.
AMR/HE
Copyright: Press TV