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A symbol of identity or difference?

Parallel Lives: unveiling the truth

Viewing the veil

Has the furore over how some Muslims choose to wear the veil changed the way they view themselves - and how others view them?

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Kauthar Akthar: "Different doesn't mean we are segregated from society; different means it's just part of our identity. We can still socialise, we can still integrate with people. Take an example of a woman in an office. If you asked her to remove her blouse, how would she feel? This is my opinion on the veil: it's something private, it's something for me and it's my identity."

Biker Barrie Tait: "I do like to see a person's face when I am talking to them - 75% of the human language is facial expression.Ìý I do feel threatened by the veil. I have nothing against the Muslim faith or any other faith, but when they hide behind the veil, then I do feel threatened."

Rauf Bashir, project manager for Building Bridges: "I think it's time that Muslims started to look at these issues and asked: are we presenting Islam in an attractive form to non-Muslims? Or are we showing that Muslims are people who are not willing to compromise, not willing to talk? There's no harm in talking and learning from each other and asking: is this appropriate or not appropriate?

Kauthar Akthar; Barrie Tait; Rauf Bashir

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