Virginia:
The most common practice is to designate an ante room, blinds drawn over any
windows, and operated by a female member of staff (security mostly but this
would not be essential). Once id verified, the individual is escorted to
whatever access point is relevant. It would seem reasonable to me to
co-ordinate this activity if for example it was to verify candidates for
examinations and there were a number of veiled individuals. Again it's a
reasonable balance between the needs of the institution and those of the
individual. It is equitable to all too because everyone has had to prove
identity; the adjustments made taking no dignity away from veiled women and
a consistent approach to verification taken.
-----Original Message-----
From: Virginia Wainwright [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 January 2004 15:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Identity issues and dress/religious observance
Vincent:
Thank you for this helpful guidance.
As a matter of interest, do you know how the UK and other
authorities respond to identifying veiled individuals at passport
control points?
Not that I am suggesting that they are examples of good
practice, but one would hope that they have found a way of balancing
the needs of the authorities with respect for individuals.
Regards,
Virginia
On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 14:25:32 -0000 Vincent Cornelius
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Virginia,
> It is my understanding that as long as no male sees an unveiled face
> (and
> that would include a photo) there is no loss of dignity. Identity
> could be
> verified to a female 'officer' of the establishment against an identity
> card
> and that would balance the needs/rights of the individual with those of
> the
> establishment. Obtaining the photo could be done similarly with the
> veiled
> individual being responsible for the safety of the identity card
> thereafter.
> This type of adjustment would be an example of treating everyone with
> equity
> but not necessarily treating them in the same way.
>
> Regards
> Vincent Cornelius
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Virginia Wainwright [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 08 January 2004 12:54
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Identity issues and dress/religious observance
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> In cases where female students wear a veil or burka, does anyone have
> any advice on how to approach issues of identity - for example, where
> it is necessary to take a photograph for enrolment purposes, in
> examination settings, or in clinical courses such as medicine, where
> students are obliged to show their faces in certain circumstances, or
> might have to remove a veil for hygiene purposes?
>
> Regards,
>
> Virginia
>
> ----------------------
> Virginia M Wainwright
> Director of Equality and Diversity
> King's College London
> James Clerk Maxwell Building
> 57 Waterloo Road
> London SE1 8WA
> 020 7848 3399
> [log in to unmask]
----------------------
Virginia M Wainwright
Director of Equality and Diversity
King's College London
James Clerk Maxwell Building
57 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8WA
020 7848 3399
[log in to unmask]
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