ES Views Letter of the Day: Don’t ask children about the hijab

Have your say Twitter: @esviews Email: esviews@standard.co.uk
Big issue: should Muslim children have to justify wearing the hijab at school?
22 November 2017
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

I read your article “Muslim schoolgirls will be quizzed on why they choose to wear a hijab, Ofsted chief says” [November 20].

However, the Ofsted recommendations for inspectors in primary schools to question young girls regarding their choice to wear the hijab are problematic. In cases where girls freely decide to wear the headscarf, having been inspired by their mothers or other elders of their family, then this ought to be treated as a personal matter and should not be condemned.

They are not breaking uniform policies and it can’t be right to question five-year-olds about such issues. Children have to put up with enough bullying as it is — they don’t need teachers joining in.

Where there may be legitimate concerns for the welfare of older Muslim girls, such questions should be asked with sensitivity. Get this right and make sure children are not made to feel there is something wrong with their religion.
Usman Khan

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in