Can British Lawyers Wear Niqab?

The niqab-- or veil that some Muslim women wear to completely cover their face-- has again become the subject of controversy in Britain. This time the presiding judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal is being asked to decide whether solicitor Shabnam Mughal can argue a case before the Tribunal dressed completely in black with a full-face veil leaving only her eyes visible. Today's London Telegraph reports that one of the Tribunal's judges, George Glossop, asked Miss Mughal on Monday if she would "kindly remove her veil to assist with communication". He said: "It will allow me to see your face and I cannot hear you as well as I would like." Mughal, who refused the request, says she has worn her veil while representing clients before tribunals in different parts of the country for two years. Today's Daily Express says that the case has now been referred to a senior High Court Judge, Sir Henry Hodge.