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  • irishtimes.com - Posted: July 5, 2008 @ 2:12 pm

    Minister Conor Lenihan – The Hijab

    Bryan

    Minister Conor LenihanSomething unexpected happened to me today. As I was going through the comments waiting to be moderated, I found one by Minister Conor Lenihan, the Integration Minister.  He had read the post on the hijab and the comments that were made on it.

    I would like to thank the minister for reading everyone’s thoughts and for sharing his. If he ever wants to share something or ask for people’s opinions on this blog, he is always welcome… provided he is happy to get both positive and negative feedback. His comments were:

    I appreciate some of the comments made on this blog site. It has been of help and will be of use when drawing up guidelines or otherwise in relation to school uniforms.

    Many of the contributions mirror the comments I have received from the 4,000 or so school Principals that I have written to on this matter.

    I shall make a decision, one way or the other, before the summer is out. I agree with the contributor who stated that there are far more important issues affecting integration and immigration than this particular controversy.

    For this reason we have been planning for some time a conference on diversity with regard to the education system. That conference on devising an integration strategy for schools will be held in the autumn.

    Regards – Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Integration.

    • 12 Comments

    1.
    July 5, 2008
    3:30 pm

    Not even a week in and you’re getting comments from TDs! It must be rewarding to realise that as a blogger your opinions can be read and considered by those with serious influence.

    Comment by Andrew
    2.
    July 5, 2008
    7:51 pm

    I’m thrilled. It’s also very humbling.

    Comment by Bryan
    3.
    July 5, 2008
    11:38 pm

    Also is a great booster to the reputation of blogging in Ireland.

    It is good to see that they’re definitely doing a detailed study of public opinion on the matter too.

    Comment by B'dum
    4.
    July 7, 2008
    6:41 am

    I’m thrilled that the minister was working on a Saturday morning.

    Comment by Primal Sneeze
    5.
    July 7, 2008
    2:16 pm

    I’m thrilled. It’s also very humbling.

    Ireland is a small country and we’ve always had good access to politicians. But all the same fair play to the Minister. Now all he has to do is give lessons in humility to his older brother.

    Comment by Steve K
    6.
    July 7, 2008
    9:49 pm

    Q. Why is the Minister determined “make a decision, one way or the other, before the summer is out.” when, as he says above, his conference is planned for later than that?
    “That conference on devising an integration strategy for schools will be held in the autumn.”

    Cart before the horse, again, Connor Lenihan?

    Comment by Tim
    7.
    July 23, 2008
    7:33 am

    In response to Tim’s comment as to why it is intended to make a decision before the summer is out on the issue of clothing in schools the idea is that parents, teachers and pupils should have certainty on this matter before the school year resumes.

    Comment by Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Integration
    8.
    July 23, 2008
    9:38 am

    Thank you for clarifying that Minister, and for participating in the discussions on this blog,

    With regards to this issue, I am aware that you sought the input of thousands of school heads. If I may be bold, how much consultation has there been with the parents of both Muslim and non-Muslim pupils?

    Comment by Bryan
    9.
    July 23, 2008
    5:08 pm

    Thank you, Minister. Apart from school Principals, the teachers’ unions have expressed a wish that this matter be left to local arrangement by the school community of parents/pupils/teachersmanagement in partnership, rather than some form of national decree imposed.
    I hope that you will consider this option and appreciate your willingness to engage on the matter.

    Comment by Tim
    10.
    October 7, 2009
    8:27 am

    i am proud of my hijab.

    Comment by hijab
    11.
    November 10, 2009
    2:59 pm

    i wear hijab with my will no one force me.

    Comment by latest news
    12.
    November 13, 2009
    7:12 pm

    i love my Hijab.

    Comment by islam Nasheed

    Comments on this article are now closed.


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