Brit college's decision to ban veils criticised by community leaders

London, Sep 24(ANI): The decision by Burnley College in Lancashire, England, to ban Muslim veils has provoked outrage from community leaders.

The college has said that all students, staff and visitors must remove any "items of clothing which cover their face" for security reasons.

The ban covers anything concealing faces, including crash helmets.

"The decision was taken solely on increasing safety of staff, students and visitors," The Sun quoted a college spokeswoman, as saying.

However, former Lancashire Council of Mosques chief, Abdul Hamid Qureshi, criticised the decision saying that it denies people the "freedom to wear what they want".

"There are human rights issues at stake. People have the right to wear what they want. I just think to ban veils altogether is excessive. There should be a compromise," Qureshi said.

Councillor Wajid Khan, whose ward contains the college, said: "People should be able to wear articles of faith." (ANI)