Gnanasara Thero Says Local Banks are Complaining to Bodu Bala Sena About Muslim Women Wearing the “Niqab”Veil

By Megara Tegal

The Niqab – a veil worn by conservative Muslim women – has been a frequent target of criticism by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) when condemning the Muslim community. During a BBS convention in Baddulla last week (15 June), the controversial General Secretary of the BBS, Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero; who was indicted on 11 charges of carrying out an attack on the Calvary Church in Araliya Place, Thalahena, yet again called for the ban of the Niqab speaking on behalf of local banks.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero announced that several local banks had contacted him and repined that conducting business with veiled clients is problematic and is of great inconvenience to the banks. “When women wearing a Niqab or Burka go to a bank to do a transaction and when they are asked to show their Identity Cards (ID) the bank officer is unable to verify the identity as the woman’s face is covered” declared Gnanasara Thero. “When the woman is asked to show the face she refuses. So how do we know if it is a man or woman under the dress?”

He further accused Islamic fundamentalists of attempting to turn Sri Lanka into an Arabian country, ominously adding that if the fundamentalists continue their follow these practices, the moderate Muslims will suffer punishment as well.

Expounding Ven. Gnanasara Thero’s claims, BBS Spokesman Dilantha Withanage, informed The Sunday Leader that their opposition to the Niqab is not an attack on Sri Lanka’s minority community but it goes beyond difficulties faced by local banks.

“We are not against any community and we do not want prevent them from following their religious practices. However, the Niqab is a garment that has caused problems even those who do not wear it. It is a problem for banks, because when clients show their ID’s they refuse to lift their veil to verify if they truly are the cardholder”, he elaborated, adding “but that is not the only issue. When these veiled individuals walk on the road, people do not know who they are, and that affects their personal security”.

He went on to say that the Niqab is not a custom that all Muslim’s follow, and therefore it is unnecessary, and should be banned as it has been in France and other countries. Once it is banned, Sri Lankans can walk on the road sans fear of the veiled individuals who cannot be identified, he said.

Banks deny Ven. Gnanasara Thero’s claim

The Sunday Leader contacted several local banks making inquiries into the claims laid by Venerable Gnanasara Thero. The banks categorically dismissed the claims made by the vocal monk. Sri Lanka’s state bank, Bank of Ceylon (BOC), stated that in no uncertain terms have they experienced issues with women who wear the Niqab. Officials at Commercial Bank expressed that they have not experienced difficulties in dealing with veil clients as well, adding they have a special Muslim banking scheme that caters to the special needs of those from the Muslim communities.

Other banks, such as NDB, stated that they have no recollection of experiencing difficulties while dealing with veiled Muslim clients.

Many Muslim women, who cover their faces, informed The Sunday Leader that ordinarily they do not visit banks and that it is their husbands who do their banking on their behalf.

Minister of Language and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara – who recently submitted cabinet papers against hate speech following recent widespread events of ethnic unrest across the country – said that the state cannot ban a dress code in a democracy.

“The Democratic Left Front and I are against people interfering with the private lives of others. We may not agree with the customs of others, but we must be tolerant of them nevertheless”, stated the minister.

“I recognize that this [Niqab] can pose a problem for security, from national security to social security, and so provisions should be made by the Muslims who wear the Niqab to identify themselves if the need– based on security—arises”.

He reiterated that banning of dress codes is not a matter for the state.

Understanding the Niqab

There were only a few exceptions of veiled women who said when need arose they have visited banks and carry out their own banking needs. Mazaina (25), a young Muslim woman who wears the Niqab, describes her experiences of banking in Sri Lanka to have been trouble free.

“I’ve never had any trouble at banks because of the way I dress. I have local accounts at BOC, Commercial and of course Amana and I have had no issues. In fact, I have on several occasions been personally to Commercial as well as BOC and have never faced any issues”, she stated surprised by the claims made by the BBS. “I have an account here at Lloyds TSB (in the UK) and still, by the grace of God, I’ve never ever faced any difficulties”.

“I recall once Commercial Bank wanted my photograph for their records when I opened a new account with them, and even then they were extremely courteous. They offered that a female employee could take my photograph if it made me more comfortable, but I told them I didn’t mind if a male took it”, she related adding that in matter such as these veiled women do comply. To Mazaina, the Niqab is more than a religious practice. It affords her protection, while simultaneously giving a sense of liberation.

“Firstly, of course, I believe it is a commandment from Allah in the Quran and I know that if it has been specified for us women by Allah, it definitely has its major plus points. From the day I started it I have felt very liberated. It was my choice and I love the fact that I am wearing it”.

According to Mazaina, wearing the Niqab does not hurt those around her who do not cover their faces, she has not had any ill-experiences, and therefore she does not understand why the BBS or other similar entities want it banned. “No woman who is genuinely wearing the Niqab will ever refuse any security check required by the law of the country. If so, why these organizations should be affected?” she questions. She went on to explain that wearing the Niqab is a choice and so not all Muslim women have adopted the practice of veiling their faces, adding that the veil is a garment of protection for her as it saves her from the gapes and catcalls of men on the street.
COURTESY:THE SUNDAY LEADER