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 20 July 2008 08:02 BST

Veil teacher to appeal against verdict

Thursday, 19 Oct 2006 19:42
Aisah Azmi refused to remove her niqab in front of male colleagues
A Muslim teaching assistant suspended by her school for refusing to remove her niqab in front of male colleagues has said she will appeal against an employment tribunal's decision that the local authorities did not discriminate against her.

The tribunal today ruled that Kirklees council had not indirectly or directly discriminated against Aishah Azmi, nor had it harassed the English and maths classroom assistant.

However, Mrs Azmi was awarded £1,100 in damages for victimisation, which includes a ten per cent mark-up owing to the local education authority's failure to comply with the correct procedure.

Speaking at a news conference following the verdict, legal representative Nick Whittingham confirmed that the 24-year-old was planning to appeal, and was prepared to take her case as far as the European court of human rights.

Mr Whittingham also relayed the tribunal's findings that government ministers, including Tony Blair himself, had "paid lip service" to the independence of the judiciary by commenting on the case before a verdict had been returned.

Mrs Azmi herself said that she was "disappointed" that the employment tribunal had not found she had been a victim of discrimination.

"It is clear that discrimination against me has taken place and I am disappointed that this employment tribunal has not been able to uphold this part of my claim. I am taking the advice of my legal team and will be looking to appeal against this decision.
"However, I am pleased that the tribunal has recognised the victimising way in which the school and the local education authority has handled this matter and the distress it has caused me," she said.

The teaching assistant continued: "Muslim women who wear the veil are not aliens and politicians need to recognise that what they say can have a very dangerous impact [upon minority communities].

"The intervention of ministers makes me fearful for Muslim women in this country who want to work. I urge Muslims and everyone to engage in dialogue with the wider community, despite the attacks that are being made upon them."

When questioned by reporters, Mrs Azmi reiterated that she was not prepared to remove her veil in front of male colleagues, and said that due to the ongoing nature of the case it was too early to tell whether she would ever return to the school.

"I would like people to understand that the veil does not cause a barrier. I can teach perfectly well with my veil on, and I do teach perfectly well.

"Just give it a chance; that is what you call integration," Mrs Azmi concluded.

The prime minister yesterday said at his monthly briefing that Muslim veils represented a "mark of separation", and backed Kirklees council's decision to suspend Mrs Azmi.End of story


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