Thank you, ummyasmin, for your intelligent and informative post. I agree that the choice of hijab is up to the individual. I am not a muslim; however I do consider myself to be a feminist in that I believe in equal opportunity for all people (male, female, religious, athiest, whatever).

I can't say that I like the hijab, however I have to respect the right of people who choose to wear it as an expression of their beliefs.

I disagree with Cannold on banning the hijab - I don't see how she can regard herself as a proponent of human rights if she feels compelled to dictate dress codes to others - this is not what feminism is about.

Yes, excellent posts from ummyasmin, that confirm my understanding of the history of Islam in Australia. Interesting points too about the arrogance of some 'second-wave' feminists with respect to imposing yet another set of Western values upon women who identify with very different traditions.

Ummyasmin's comments are also a refreshing change from the thinly 'veiled' racism of some posters above, not to mention the 'just-so' stories concerning the supposed history of the hijab head scarf as a means to conceal grey hair.

However, given the politico-religious dimension of hijab wearing and its consequent potential to focus division on ethnic and religious grounds, I think that Cannold is correct to suggest that the hijab head scarf should not be worn in public schools. Of course, as I wrote above, the same proscription should apply to all potentially divisive religious apparel - such as Christian crosses, the Jewish yarmulke and the Sikh turban.

Our public schools should not be sites for the playing out of adult political, ethnic and religious conflicts by proxy.

Times Online, Anthony Brown, 26 October 2005

"The Netherlands is likely to become the first country in Europe to ban the burka, under government proposals that would bring in some of the toughest curbs on Muslim clothing in the world. The country's hardline Integration Minister, Rita Verdonk, known as the Iron Lady for her series of tough anti-immigration measures, told Parliament that she was going to investigate where and when the burka should be banned.

The burka, traditional clothing in some Islamic societies, covers a woman's face and body, leaving only a strip of gauze for the eyes. Mrs Verdonk gave warning that the "time of cosy tea-drinking" with Muslim groups had passed and that natives and immigrants should have the courage to be critical of each other.

She recently cancelled a meeting with Muslim leaders who refused to shake her hand because she was a woman..."

At: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1823334,00.html

Hey

I've read the artice. Here's my opinion:

You can't have it both ways. If you ban things like christmas carols and the cross from schools due to secularism, you MUST ban other things such as the hajib. No two ways about it.

Frankly though, I don't care if they wear it. I also don't care if Christians pray in schools. As long as the school itself is not religious, the students should be able to express their religion any way they want. How can someone expressing their religion threaten your religion? It really makes no sense to ban crosses, skull caps or the hajib from school. More expression, less controll over unimportant things. People should wear what they want to wear (as long as it does not promote violence, and as long as it's something. You can't wear nothing)

I want to live and let live, but I do not want to lose the rights that Australian women currently enjoy.

I note that wearing of hijab and burka is a new phenomena in Australia. Many women adopted hijab after the 1991 Gulf War, and the burka is still not very common on Australian streets. In other words, many women arrived in Australia bare headed and adopted hijab once they arrived here.

I don't want to see Australian school girls wearing burka because that garment restricts their movement, and provides more hiding places for notes in public exams. Their restrictive garment is very symbolic of the restricted roles their families see them playing in Australian society. By all means let the girls chose hijab outside school, like their mothers did before them.
Nor do I want burka clad women driving vehicles - women peering through gauze covered slits in their coverings have restricted and impaired vision making them an unnecessary hazard to all road users.

I think the muslim cause has been done a great disservice by those Sydney youths who raped Australian girls saying the girls deserved it because they dressed like sl*ts. I am not sure whether the Australian victims were dressed in work clothes or night club gear but I think it was work clothes.

You can't ask to be special and be treated as an equal. Why should the old Australian culture have to accommodate the bad as well as the good habits of our newest immigrants?