Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Debate on veil

The raging debate on the veil started in the U.K., after Jack Straw said the niqab was an obstacle to social integration of Muslims. As it developed, the focus shifted from the right of a Muslim woman to wear what she likes or is ordained by religion according to her to the veil itself. Mr. Straw and Tony Blair have devised an ingenious way to attack British Muslims by picking on a distinct practice adopted by a minuscule minority of women, that is not specifically covered by any Koranic injunction but which cannot be condemned either.

Khan Musa,
Mumbai

That a teacher has been suspended from school for refusing to remove the veil is ironical! Members of an Alberta Hutterite colony have won the right to carry licences without photographs because they believe taking photographs is against their religion. Action against Aishah Azmi seems to target Muslims.

V.S. Akbar Basha,
Dammam, Saudi Arabia

A teacher with a veil pulled over her face creates a negative impact on young minds. The comparison of nun with a Muslim woman in a burqa is incorrect. A nun is one who has renounced the world. As for Sikhs, they do not cover their whole body including the face with turbans. The comparison is irrelevant and illogical.

Shreyoshi Ghosh,
Kolkata

For students of primary and high school level, the gestures and expressions of teachers matter a lot. They add a lot to their understanding. In the absence of face-to-face interaction, there cannot be much difference between distance education and classroom teaching. While living in a multicultural society, we need to adapt to some minimum common understanding. Therein lies the beauty of diversity.

Kishore Babu,
Bangalore

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