— M.K.D. Prasada Rao

Ghaziabad

Debating the veil

• This refers to ‘Don’t ban it, question it’ (IE, June 30). French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s description of burqa-clad women as “prisoners behind a screen” was tactless. It’s hypocritical to revere the veil or headscarf worn by Catholic nuns and revile the one Muslim women wear. The burqa is a symbol of empowerment. Nevertheless, there’s no categorical mention of the hijab in the Quran. Javed Anand is right that the Quran only commands people to be modest in their attire. It’s discretionary and not compulsory, and despite Anand’s claims, it does protect women.

— Mohd Y. Ansari

Meerut

• Javed Anand is right in asking for the “epistemological hijab” to be shed; that is, for the clergy to open its mind and return to the original scripture. Immigrants in the West angry with the ban should start an international debate in favour of the burqa. With sizeable Muslim populations, Western nations should proceed with caution. However, genuine individual choice should be respected, not someone else’s construing of individual choice.

— John Alexander

Nagpur