Researching You Documentary
The social issue I will be investigating will be the British Debate Over Veils. The purpose of this documentary is to talk about the issues regarding the veils. I want to know how it effects the people in the college & what their views are. The impact this documentary will have on me is that I will become more educated & aware of what is going on. Veils have never been an issue in my family because nobody wears them unless they are praying however I want to know how it effects those who wear them. For the participants, I want them to feel free to have their voice heard because this subject is often swept under a rug. Regarding the audience, I want them to learn about why these women wear their veils & that it's not them being oppressed. The individuals I could interview would be female Muslim teachers & female Muslim students. The reason why I am choosing to interview them is because the issues effect them directly.
(A) Secondary Research into the Existing Facts:
Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) - Telegraph (15th September 2013)
This article talks about Mr. Browne suggesting that "there should be a national debate about whether the state should step in to protect young women for having the veil 'imposed' on them."
He feels 'instinctively uneasy' about banning the behaviour however he feels that action should be taken to protect the freedom of young Muslim girls. Nick Clegg (former Deputy Prime Minister) said he may support banning veils in classrooms. He said: “My own view, I don’t think we should end up like different countries where we tell people how they go about their business. I do think there is an issue with teachers in the classroom… that might be an area where a full veil might be inappropriate.”
The Islamic Veil Across Europe - BBC (31st January 2017)
This article talks about the different issues that have happened in Europe regarding the veil. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that the full-faced veils should be prohibited in Germany "wherever it is legally possible". Half of Germany's 16 states went to ban teachers from wearing headscarves. In Hesse the ban includes civil servants too.
In Austria, coalition agreed to ban full-faced veils (Niqabs & Burkas) in public spaces like courts & schools. They were also considering a general ban on state employees wearing the headscarf & other religious symbols. "Only an estimated 150 women wear the full Niqab in Austria but tourism officials expressed fears that the measures would also deter visitors from the Gulf as it would apply at ski resorts, as much as the capital, Vienna."
France became the first European country to ban the full-face veil in public places on April 11th 2011. Nicolas Sarkozy who brought the ban said that veils oppress women & were "not welcome"
The penalty for wearing a veil is 150 Euros (£133/$217). Anyone found forcing a woman to wear a veil will risk a fine of 30, 000 Euros.
In December 2012, Belgium's Constitutional Court rejected appeals for the ban to be annulled stating that it did not violate human rights.
UK Government & Parliament Petition - "Ban the Wearing of a Burka, Any Full or Partial From Face Coverings in Public"
This petition required 100, 000 signatures in order for it to be successful. It only received 19, 765 signatures. This source isn't as reliable as the others because it is not factual. The Government responded to this petition stating "Face covering can be worn in public places for a variety of legitimate reasons. The Government has no intention of making it a criminal offence to wear face covering. Where face coverings are used for the purpose of concealing identity, section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 provides police officers with the power to remove them. The police may also remove face coverings during a stop and search or following an arrest. The Government considers these powers to be both proportionate to citizens’ civil liberties and sufficient to allow the police to protect the public from harm." - Home Office. The petition is closed.
On the other hand of this petition:
David Cameron Supports Removal of Muslim Veils in Schools - Independent (19th January 2016)
'If you need to be able to see someone’s face at the border, then I will always back the authority and institution that have put in place proper and sensible rules'
This article talks about how David Cameron supports "proper & sensible rules" however he does not advocate the nation-wide ban on full-face coverings. Andy Burnham (Shadow Home Secretary) commented "His clumsy and simplistic approach to challenging extremism is unfairly stigmatising a whole community. There is a real danger that it could end up driving further radicalisation, rather than tackling it."
(B) Secondary Research into the Format & Possible Distribution of your Documentary:
Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think
This documentary is based in America. It talks about the religion itself. The documentary talks about the effect after 9/11 & how the Muslim didn't want to be associated with the terrorists. The Muslims were scared for their safety. Muslims finally speak out on how 9/11 effected them, not just with what people were doing to them but how they felt on the inside. 9/11 triggered these hate crimes worldwide.
Ask A Muslim (Doc Web Series) 1 - "Burqas & Beards" - Youtube
This web series is about American Muslims. They are asked questions why do Muslims have beards & why the women wear Burqas. They state that it's not an obligation to have beards or wear Burqas. The Burqas aren't a requirement to wear however it shows modesty. It depends on where you are from & what rules are implied on you however a lot of these women are not oppressed. The women talk about how they aren't forced to wear the headscarves because they feel God inside of them already however they do not want negative attention from men.
Woman Wearing Niqab Dominates Uncovered Muslim in Ban the Burqa Debate - CNN (7th March 2012)
This debate talks about whether women are forced to wear Niqabs or not. The presenter states that the first amendment in the US is the right to practice any religion. The opposer states that it's not right because people will do what they want & say that it's part of their religion.
My documentary won't be an argument, it will be similar to What a Billion Muslims Think. It will just be Muslim women talking about why they wear the Burqas, how it effects them & what they think of the ban. The subjects will voice their views just like Ask a Muslim.
In term of distribution, my documentary can be put on Youtube & Vimeo. To have it shown on TV, I could send a TV channel the link to my documentary & see their response.
For funding, I could apply for documentary funding from the BFI. To apply for the fund, you need an account with the BFI. You can fill in an application online. After that there will be an assessment period. You will need to have a strong story & characters to be considered. Before pitching your idea, there will be a pitching workshop that the shortlisted people will attend, it is not mandatory however it is advised.
Primary Research, Summary & Ethical Concerns
1) Are you aware of the ban of Niqabs (Full-faced veils) in France & other European countries? Y/N
2) "Full-faced veils should be banned in the UK" Do you agree with this statement?
3) Do you know anyone who has been a victim of racism because they wear a Hijab?
4) Do you believe that Britain supports religious freedom?
5) What is your opinion on women who wear full-faced veils?
6) Do you believe that women who wear full-faced veils are oppressed? Y/N
7) Would you feel content if your teacher wore a Niqab? Y/N
8) Do you think full-faced veils encourage terrorism? Please explain your answer.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HRRV9N3
Results:
Overall, more people were aware of the ban of Niqabs in France & other parts of Europe, over half of the people who completed the questionnaire believed that full-faced veils should not be banned in the UK, half of the people who took the questionnaire knew someone who had been a victim of racism & the other half didn't know anybody. Over half of the people thought that Britain supports religious freedom whereas a quarter & a bit believed that Britain doesn't support religious freedom. About 3/4's of the people who took the survey believed that women who wear full-face veils are not oppressed whereas the rest believed that they are. 82% would be content if their teacher wore a Niqab whereas the rest would not feel content. In terms of the written responses majority of the people who took the questionnaire responded positively towards muslim women who wear full faced veils & whether or not they believe that full-faced veils encourage terrorism however there are a small percentage of people who said that they are against women who wear Niqabs & they do believe that Niqabs encourage terrorism.
Ethical Considerations:
Because this is a very sensitive topic, I would have to go about the questions lightly to ensure the subjects of the documentary feel safe. Due to a number of people portraying Islam in a negative light, it is understandable for the subjects to feel like I am doing the same thing however I will have to ensure them that I won't be. I will have to use correct terminology to not offend anybody. The subjects of the documentary will be aware of the questions before I ask them just to make sure they are comfortable with the questions. I will also need to ensure that I have backed up my factual information with evidence to make sure I am not giving the audience the wrong information.
Results:
Overall, more people were aware of the ban of Niqabs in France & other parts of Europe, over half of the people who completed the questionnaire believed that full-faced veils should not be banned in the UK, half of the people who took the questionnaire knew someone who had been a victim of racism & the other half didn't know anybody. Over half of the people thought that Britain supports religious freedom whereas a quarter & a bit believed that Britain doesn't support religious freedom. About 3/4's of the people who took the survey believed that women who wear full-face veils are not oppressed whereas the rest believed that they are. 82% would be content if their teacher wore a Niqab whereas the rest would not feel content. In terms of the written responses majority of the people who took the questionnaire responded positively towards muslim women who wear full faced veils & whether or not they believe that full-faced veils encourage terrorism however there are a small percentage of people who said that they are against women who wear Niqabs & they do believe that Niqabs encourage terrorism.
Ethical Considerations:
Because this is a very sensitive topic, I would have to go about the questions lightly to ensure the subjects of the documentary feel safe. Due to a number of people portraying Islam in a negative light, it is understandable for the subjects to feel like I am doing the same thing however I will have to ensure them that I won't be. I will have to use correct terminology to not offend anybody. The subjects of the documentary will be aware of the questions before I ask them just to make sure they are comfortable with the questions. I will also need to ensure that I have backed up my factual information with evidence to make sure I am not giving the audience the wrong information.
