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Speaking before the NSW Legislative Council, Rev Nile stated;
“I wish to speak on the right of Christians to wear a cross. In the past there were three topics not discussed in polite society—religion, sex and politics. But recently there has been a strong debate in the United Kingdom that is very relevant to Australia concerning whether a Christian can wear a cross and whether a Moslem can wear a veil. A Christian woman has been forced to take unpaid leave after she was refused permission to wear a Christian cross about the size of a 10¢ coin. British Airways made that decision. There has been a similar debate in Australia about a school student wearing a cross. British Airways does not appear to be consistent because! it allows Moslems to wear headscarves, hajibs, and Sikhs to wear turbans. The employee of British Airways, Miss Eweida, had an unblemished record during seven years at British Airways. She is now suing her employer for religious discrimination after being suspended from work without pay for two weeks. She said that her treatment was all the more extraordinary as she and fellow employees had just undergone "diversity training", including receiving advice from pressure group Stonewall on how to treat gays and lesbians in the workplace. The airline's uniform code states that staff must not wear visible jewellery or other "adornments" while on duty without permission from management. It makes exceptions for Muslim and Sikh minorities by allowing them to wear hijabs and turbans. Under rules drawn up by the airline's diversity team and uniform committee, Sikh employees can even wear the traditional iron bangle—even though this would usually be classed a! s jewellery—and Muslim workers are also allowed prayer b! reaks du ring work time.”
“However, Miss Eweida, who is 55 years old, insisted that her cross, which was smaller than a ten pence piece, was not jewellery but an expression of her deep Christian faith. She questioned why she was being forced to hide her religion when British Airways' Muslim and Sikh workers could express theirs. She said that she would not hide her belief in the Lord Jesus. British Airways permits Muslims to wear headscarfs, Sikhs to wear a turban and other faiths to wear religious apparel—only Christians are forbidden to express their faith. She pointed out that she is a loyal and conscientious employee of British Airways, but that she will stand up for the rights of all citizens.
Miss Eweida's case comes at a time of intense debate about the right of individuals to express their beliefs. As honourable members know, Mr Jack Straw, the Leader of the House of Commons, has made comments about women wearing the veil because it is! a visible statement of separation and difference and it is causing fear and intimidation in British society. His reference was to veils completely covering a woman's face. The British Minister for Race and Faith, Phil Woolas, also opposes the wearing of the face veil, particularly by a young Muslim teacher in the northern England town of Dewsbury. The teacher insisted on wearing her veil while in the classroom, although her eyes were visible. Some Muslims wear veils that cover the entire face, including the eyes. The teacher has been suspended by the administrators of the Headfield Church of England Junior School. She was not wearing a veil when she was interviewed for the position. I understand that nothing in Islam or the Koran requires women to wear a veil, only a head covering—the hijab.
I believe that everyone should respect our Australian Christian values and that we should respect those who wear a cross in our country. If people want to wear a face ! veil, they should go to a country in which that is part of the! culture , whether that be Afghanistan, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. They would be much happier and could observe Islamic culture, holidays, festivals and Sharia law. Christians should certainly be able to wear a cross here because this is a Christian country. I believe the United Kingdom is still a Christian country and people who wish to identify themselves as Christian by wearing a cross should have the right to do so at school or at work”, Rev Nile stated.