Muslim defendant must remove veil to give evidence

Muslim defendant must remove veil to give evidence, jury hears Rebekah Dawson appears in court for her trial on witness intimidation charges wearing a full-face veil, but will have to take if off before entering the witness box, court is told Rebekah Dawson at an earlier hearing Photo: REX FEATURES 3:58PM GMT 22 Jan 2014 A Muslim woman accused of witness intimidation has been ordered by a judge to remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence. Rebekah Dawson, 22, attended the start of her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London on Wednesday wearing a full-face veil. Judge Peter Murphy warned the jury hearing the case that it was “quite wrong” to be prejudiced against anybody because of their expression of religious faith. He said Ms Dawson was “fully entitled” to dress as she chose and warned them to put aside any personal feelings they had about her attire. However, he told jurors that he had ruled that she must remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence. Related Articles Cameron supports Muslim veil ban in schools and courts 29 Sep 2013 Police issue mugshot of woman without her Muslim veil 18 Sep 2013 Birmingham college bans Muslim veils 10 Sep 2013 Is it a human right to wear a veil in court? 15 Sep 2013 The judge said: "I have not done that arbitrarily. I have done this because of this: that courts have known for many, many years, indeed centuries, that when a jury is evaluating evidence a witness gives it is important for them to see the witness as well as listening. “In other words, you have to see the demeanour of the witness and reactions to the questions being asked." Addressing the jury, Judge Murphy added: "I am sure you will have noticed that the defendant Rebekah Dawson is wearing a full face veil - it hides her face apart from a narrow slit for the eyes. "Let me begin by saying that in this country everyone is entitled to express any religious view they wish, or to hold no religious view. Also we are entitled to express any religious view we may have in any way that we choose - that includes wearing a form of dress which a person may consider to be appropriate." He went on: "It would be quite wrong to be prejudiced against anybody because of their expression of their religious faith. It is very important you understand that." Ms Dawson, of Hackney, east London, and her brother, Matthias Dawson, 32, Sydenham, south-east London, deny a single charge of witness intimidation. The prosecution is due to outline its case later on Wednesday. muslimtoysanddolls.com is a charity site to help Muslims in need and it sells over 2,600 products for the whole family.it makes a great homeschooling resource to. The American Muslim Journal wrote a full page ad on my charity work.The United State Department interviewed me and wrote an article about my charity work with Muslims and published it on their website america.gov.Ponn Sabra owner of americanmuslimmom.com the largest online Muslim magazine in the world with one million unique views a year did two podcasts on my charity work with <Muslims.shop here and get great Islamic gifts and help Muslims in need. we sell over 750 Muslim dolls with hijab all different,200 Muslim handmade doll clothes with hijab,250 Eid decorations,250 Islamic decorations,Islamic and Arabic electronic toys,games,and puzzles.500 Islamic and Arabic childrens books,and much more.toll free business number 9787885028 toll free in the virgin islands,puerto rico,mexico,canada,and the USA please leave a message if noone answers.info@muslimtoysanddolls.com fee aman Allah,Sister Debbie Al-Harbi