Hijab not oppressive
Re: "Signs of integration with the freedom of veil", (BP, Dec 23).
Many people in Western countries believe the Islamic faith is oppressive to women. Particularly in France, the hijab, or headscarf, that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression.
This controversy about the hijab has been created by vested interests, evil-minded politicians and religious-fanatic elements. These bigots have nothing to say about the Eastern Orthodox culture in which women wear headscarves while attending church.
British women like their giant hats, Haute headwear, and proper toppers. Different kinds of head coverings are used by Jewish women- the sheitel (wig), mitpachat or tichel (headscarf), shpitzel, hat, and snood. The most common hair coverings in the Haredi community are the sheitel, the snood, and the tichel, as well as hats and berets.
Modern Orthodox Jewish women usually wear hats, berets, baseball caps, bandanas or scarves tied in several ways. Among the Sikhs, the dastãr is an article of faith that represents equality, honour, self-respect, courage, spirituality and piety for the Khalsa Sikh men and women.
On Shutterstock and Instagram, thousands of stock photos, vectors and illustrations are available of traditional headdresses and headgear worn by women from Africa, on Native American reservations in the USA and Canada, and by the hill tribes of India, South America, Thailand, the Philippines and many other countries around the world.
The hijab controversy in France is a sign of ignorance whereas on a red carpet and every fashion show, women are paraded with Haute hats and headgear. Why is the hijab not a symbol of beauty?