WARSI: It had. And therefore, we needed to respond. And we’ve responded in a number of ways, both proactively and reactively respond to challenges that may arise. And the backlash towards the British Muslim community after the tragic murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, the murder that you mentioned on the streets of London, was exactly one of those cases. And what we found, interestingly, after that tragic murder was that we found a unified British Muslim community who was unequivocal in its condemnation of this attack.
MARTIN: But what about the people who do feel that their country is changing in ways that they don’t like? I mean, for example, the whole question of full-face coverings, veils. I know you’ve spoken about that issue. I know that, you know, France has taken the position that these kind of full-face coverings should just not be permitted in the public sphere, particularly in public places. You’ve taken a different perspective. But what about people who say, look, I don’t want to deal with a bank teller whose face is covered? I don’t to deal with a school bus driver whose face is covered? I don’t want to deal with a teacher in my children’s elementary school whose face is covered? I don’t want that.
WARSI: Well, first of all, Britain isn’t France. And I think that’s a good thing.
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(NPR) Baroness Sayeeda Warsi–Religious Difference Is A Strength For The Country
WARSI: It had. And therefore, we needed to respond. And we’ve responded in a number of ways, both proactively and reactively respond to challenges that may arise. And the backlash towards the British Muslim community after the tragic murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, the murder that you mentioned on the streets of London, was exactly one of those cases. And what we found, interestingly, after that tragic murder was that we found a unified British Muslim community who was unequivocal in its condemnation of this attack.
MARTIN: But what about the people who do feel that their country is changing in ways that they don’t like? I mean, for example, the whole question of full-face coverings, veils. I know you’ve spoken about that issue. I know that, you know, France has taken the position that these kind of full-face coverings should just not be permitted in the public sphere, particularly in public places. You’ve taken a different perspective. But what about people who say, look, I don’t want to deal with a bank teller whose face is covered? I don’t to deal with a school bus driver whose face is covered? I don’t want to deal with a teacher in my children’s elementary school whose face is covered? I don’t want that.
WARSI: Well, first of all, Britain isn’t France. And I think that’s a good thing.
Read it all.