Madam, - Anissa Majeed, a young Muslim graduate, rightly decries the rampant objectification of the female body in the West (Weekend Review, June 14th). But her rejection of such by donning the hijab in Ireland is both unnecessary and extreme.
How on earth does covering up a lovely girl's hair and throat empower her, and give the message to males that she is untouchable? There must be thousands of normal, intelligent, virtuous Irish women who, like Anissa, reject permissiveness and unwelcome sexual attention, while leaving their natural, God-given beauty exposed to sun and air, as nature and common sense intended.
Moreover, while some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab by choice, the majority do not, since it is a diktat laid down by Muslim males, and has no place whatever in the Koran. - Yours, etc,
VERA HUGHES, Moate, Co Westmeath.