UKIP’s leadership candidate calls for ban on Muslim veil in public spaces
UKIP leadership candidate Lisa Duffy is calling for Muslim veils to be banned in public places, describing the hijab as a symbol of “aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism.”
Duffy defended the hijab ban during a campaigning speech in London, claiming it would ensure “equality” in the community. She insisted that the move would not be Islamophobic.
"Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others?" she asked. "My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do."
The candidate said she believed the Muslim veil is "forced on women by men who view them as their property." She even went as far to equate wearing the veil, which is seen as a sacred duty for Muslim women, to wearing “hoods” or motorcycle “helmets” in public.
Duffy has been compared to US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for discriminating against Muslims. However, she rejected such comparisons. Conversely, she asserted that she is trying to allay "unfair" fear directed at Muslims - implying that by making them less visibly Islamic, they are less likely to be attacked.
She believes UKIP is not seen as a racist party anymore. The UKIP leadership hopeful also wants to close down Islamic faith schools and impose a “complete and comprehensive ban” on Sharia courts in Britain, until the issue of extremism is addressed.
Leadership rival MEP Bill Etheridge has criticized Duffy, saying he did not want to focus "on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded - I'm not chasing the bigot vote," which is an allegation Duffy denies.
Duffy and Etheridge are among six candidates on the ballot paper in the race to become UKIP’s next leader. The election campaign has been marred by controversy as early favorites like Suzanne Evans and Steven Woolfe have been excluded from running.
The victor will be announced at UKIP's annual conference in Bournemouth, the southern coast of England, on September 15.
Nigel Farage announced his resignation as leader of UKIP days after spearheading a successful campaign to take Britain out of the European Union (EU), triggering the leadership contest.
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