Council of Faiths letter in Leicester Mercury

Our letter, in response to Mr James Gore Browne's, is published in today's Leicester Mercury Mailbox. It's been edited (of course) but the point still comes across clearly, strongly and positively. I've reproduced the text below. This is our original version as sent to the paper; those parts which have been edited out of the published version are shown within brackets.

Council of Faiths is "helping to create atmosphere of mutual respect" in our city

Mr James Gore Browne’s letter (“Let’s lead the way on this issue”, Mailbox, 27 July) is an interesting and forward-looking contribution to the discussion about Muslim women wearing the burka in Britain today. In proposing possible developments on this front, he suggests a “public code of practice – not in any way legally binding” which would “show that this city is leading the way on a matter of public interest”. Mr Browne ends his letter by urging the Council of Faiths to respond. [We are glad to do so, promptly and fully.]

[We appreciate the calm tone of Mr Browne's letter, which sticks to matters of principle and seeks to advance the debate while showing regard for the opinion of others.] He makes reference to an earlier letter in the Mercury Mailbox from Mr Suleman Nagdi, writing on behalf of the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO). [Mr Nagdi is a valued member of the Council of Faiths and brings the benefit of his professional and personal experience and knowledge to our discussions. There is certainly no disagreement between Leicester Council of Faiths and the position Mr Nagdi presents publicly for the FMO. It is interesting that] Mr Nagdi’s original letter does not connect this issue to religion or faith, but to individual freedom – and this too is where Leicester Council of Faiths would take its position.

Since 1986, Leicester Council of Faiths has been promoting mutual trust and understanding among the faith communities of the city. [It is widely, even internationally, recognised as playing a key role in establishing, maintaining and promoting Leicester as a place where one of the most diverse populations of any UK city lives together peacefully and productively. We work alongside other groups and organisations concerned with mutual respect, promotion of good relations and the encouragement of a world-embracing vision.] It is not the purpose of the Council of Faiths to make decisions for the communities which make up its membership – or for anyone else. [It would be impossible (not to mention highly undesirable) for any organisation to take to itself the right to make decisions, or even issue generalised guidelines, on matters of personal conscience.]

Where we do see ourselves as taking the lead on this issue – as has been the occasion with several other topics during our quarter century of involvement in the life of the city – is in fostering a climate of respect in which debate can flourish among those who are able to speak – and to listen – on behalf of their communities. Members of the Council of Faiths, drawn from the city’s Baha’is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs, respect and learn from each others’ beliefs, cultures, practices and traditions. We try to find ways for all to move forward together and we aim to uphold the rights and dignity of all.

We defend legitimate choice for individuals and communities – of what a person eats and drinks, how they dress, how they earn their living, how they entertain themselves and how they bring up their family. Of course this is often influenced by factors such as culture, family or religion; but as long as no one is compelled to live in a particular way against their will, as long as the choices they make do not bring harm upon themselves or their fellow citizens, then they have the right to choose how they express their own identity. [A good number of Muslim women in Leicester – of different ages, backgrounds, educational attainment, jobs, languages, nationalities etc – wear some kind of clothing that covers their faces, either partially or fully. There are also many who do not. They are equally firm in believing and in stating that they do so as a matter of choice – and we would accept that to be so. Ask them why they choose to dress as they do and virtually all would respond, albeit in different languages, with a lively and reflective awareness of the implications of their choice. (Incidentally, the distinction between niqab and burka made by Mr Browne isn't as useful as might at first appear, since in public debate they tend to be used interchangeably to denote any manner in which the woman's face is fully covered.)]

Leicester – and its Council of Faiths – is indeed leading the way on this issue and others, by helping create the circumstances in which they can be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with an eye to the general happiness of the whole of our community. We’d like to think it’s the Leicester way. We’d also like to think that we’re doing our bit to help it flourish and be an example to other parts of the country – and of the wider world.

Councillor Manjula Sood
Leicester Council of Faiths

If you'd like to make a personal response to this letter, faithful reader, you can do so via this page on the Leicester Mercury website:
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Council-Faiths-helping-create-atmosphere-mutual-respect-city/article-2478728-detail/article.html