'I've Seen No Evidence 7/7 Was the Work of Muslims' ; These Are the Astonishing Words of a Young Muslim Mother Living in London. Here, After the Archbishop of York Claimed That the Veil Attracts 'Unwelcome Attention', She Explains Why She Adopted the Niqab and How It Shapes Her Views

Evening Standard - London › November 14, 2006

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Summary

WE ARRANGE to meet outside a Tube station in west London. In the first sign of the unfamiliar world I am about to enter, Jannah describes her car rather than herself - after all, there's not much point in describing someone who is veiled from head to foot. When I spot her car, I'm struck by the contrast between Jannah in her voluminous black robes and her daughters on the back seat.

The girls, aged two and eight, are wearing ordinary clothes, the little one fast asleep while the elder, Aisha, plays with a pink mobile phone.

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Extract

'I've Seen No Evidence 7/7 Was the Work of Muslims' ; These Are the Astonishing Words of a Young Muslim Mother Living in London. Here, After the Archbishop of York Claimed That the Veil Attracts 'Unwelcome Attention', She Explains Why She Adopted the Niqab and How It Shapes Her Views

Jannah is 35, a medical biochemist working in a London hospital. Four years ago, she started wearing the niqab, the face-veil which has caused such controversy in recent weeks, and the jilbaba black garment that completely hides the body. I get into the car and all I can see of Jannah is her eyes, darting from side to side between long lashes.

It's disconcerting, hearing her talk in a London accent while most of her face is invisible and I get the feeling that none of this i...

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