Disrespect to me and my hijab
I read an article by Martina Devlin ('If Muslim men like the veil so much let them wear it' Irish Independent, May 23). I am extremely upset by this article. People like Ms Devlin cause more problems and conflict in society by writing articles like these with very little or very inappropriate research.
First, she mentions female circumcision which has nothing at all to do with Islam.
Secondly, she mentions some Muslim websites that talk about a woman without a hijab who is responsible for her own rape. We all know better that to randomly quote anything we see on the internet without finding out whether it is a group of kids or crazy people or actual authority expressing these views.
She also talks about nuns making an informed decision.
I am a Muslim woman. I was born in London and grew up in Birmingham. I have also lived in Pakistan as a teenager. I decided to wear the hijab when I was 21 without any member of my family telling me to do so.
Would it not have made some sense if Ms Devlin had actually asked the opinion of an educated Muslim woman the reason behind the Hijab?
I suppose sensationalism sells more papers.
I have lived in Ireland for ten years now and I find people know surprisingly little about other cultures and religions.
This is why your comments are all the more damaging. People may make up their minds on the half truths you give.
I have worked in many hospitals and can assure you my covering my hair does not make me feel in any way restricted or inferior to any man or woman anywhere.
In Islam, I am equal to any man and allowed similar rights.
A lot of what happens in some Muslim countries is from old tradition, from an era before Islam -- and nothing to do with Islam.
However, newspapers and the media in general are not interested in portraying the good side of Islam (have you even heard of such a thing?)
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, with a larger number of women converting than men.
I give you the example of Ms Yvonne Ridley, the English journalist who converted and is now a leading campaigner for Muslim rights. But we no longer see her in the English language media lest someone may give Islam a good name.
