Madam, - Breda O'Brien (Opinion January 24th) declares that the wearing of the Islamic veil should be welcomed rather than banned, since it falls "into the category of actions which pose no threat to society". I believe this view to be mistaken, since any widespread wearing of such a cultural/religious symbol tends to undermine social cohesion by emphasising difference between citizens.
Her article makes ironic reading for those acquainted with the results of the last big influx of immigrants here, who also wished to retain their distinctiveness and prevent full integration into the Irish nation. Despite this evidence, virtually on her own doorstep, she suggests that we should now encourage the public manifestation of even greater cultural and religious difference. Has she learned nothing from history?
The proposed action by France on the wearing of obvious cultural/religious symbols amounts to a belated acceptance that the textbook theory of multiculturalism does not work in practice. It is also an acceptance that it is not sufficient for a government to allow foreigners to enter a country and form enclaves or ghettos, while not taking positive steps to help them integrate with their new society. And, since to achieve integration, the immigrant should try to fit into the host society, the personal promotion of foreign symbols, such as the Islamic scarf in schools, would make the attainment of integration more difficult.
The recent proposals by the British government relating to qualifications for citizenship are further proof that a person who migrates to a foreign country cannot maintain their cultural distinctiveness and expect to become and be treated as a full member of the new society.
There is evidence that the active promotion of difference - i.e. multiculturalism - is not in the long-term interests of the individual immigrant. Rather, his or her interests are best served by becoming integrated into the host society as quickly as possible, thus minimising rather than maximising the sense of difference.
As an immigrant has a right to be treated as an equal in the host society, he/she has a duty to behave as an equal, and not stand apart from it, while claiming to enjoy its benefits. In Western Europe, except for the occasional festival or national day, religion and culture is largely private and devoid of public manifestation at an individual level. New arrivals should respect that convention.
I believe that EU governments, including our own, should encourage immigrants to respect the culture of the countries they wish to live in, and to refrain from any ostentatious demonstration of their own difference. The traditional basic equality of dress in Irish society should be retained and supported, both in schools and in public. - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH, Áth an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.