To Serena again...

Submitted by Amin Riaz (United Kingdom), Mar 29, 2008 at 20:51

a) Hijab - Is a religious symbol albeit a controvertial one. And given the the controversy and its nature and the current Muslim/West relations the non-western ladies should not have adopted the Hijab. That is because these women were political and a representatives for thier countries.

b) Of course the Hijab is cultural symbol as well. After all a lot of culture of Muslim countries derives from Islam. That is not the case with West any longer. Christianty is not the major or defacto cultural and political force it once used to be. Most or should I say all are Secular.

c) In the case where the women were either encouraged or asked to show respect ... which of course all would have been either by their advisers or the host countries it was up to the women to resist it and to say no. The point is they were not being forced. I find it inresting to find that Oriana Fallaci wore the scarf as she was so against Islam as a religion. Her case especially is a case in point. Wearing the hijab was against her personal belief's ... so she shouldnt have done it... same with Condalezza Rice. Others like Diana it does not really matter, as Princess Di was not really against Hijab (thats not saying she supports Hijab its just that she never damned it like Fallaci had). That is the reason a middle eastern lady who would be against wearing miniskirt wouldnt do it. If asked she will reject it. Else what would West do force?

I dont think your Oriana Fallaci) comment was very well though out. Hijab does not equate to Miniskirt. You have repeated the same thing. I dont know why.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".