When this issue first came to light some time last year I asked among my Muslim friends of South Asian origin if they had ever heard of jilbab. None had. The reality is that most Pakistani women, and for that matter, non-Muslim Punjabi women in India, wear the shalwar kameez. The jilbab is a dress that is only worn in parts of the Middle East. Its recent, and so far failed, introduction in Pakistan is an integral part of Wahabi attack on the cultural particularities of Islam across the globe. It is a deliberate strategy to strip South Asian Islam of many of its syncretic and tolerant traditions by some of the more extreme sects in Britain and South Asia. As to the violation of human rights, I always find it interesting that defenders of Shabina Begum's rights would never accept the extention of these universal rights in those societies where Islam dominates. How ironic that this issue once again enters the public domain on a day when a man is facing execution in Afghanistan for exercising precisely the sort of right to religious freedom that the likes of me, an atheist, would die in the ditch to defend. I don't see many Muslims coming out in defence of this man's rights. Shabina Begum's appeal rests on the very universal principles of human rights that she and her supporters would not think of extending to others.
Raj Pal, Birmingham Britain does not adhere to any strict religious laws as say, an Islamic country might do. And I believe this girl needs to respect the laws of the country, and realise that Britain does not follow such rigorous religous guidelines. Carrying an arabic language bible is illegal in many islamic countries,a law that would be a social and political nightmare if it were introduced to the UK. But Britain has showed an enormous amount of flexibility with religion that seems to be taken for granted. Even so, there are many schools that could accommodate her dress. She says we are not respecting her beliefs although, somewhat hypocritically she is not respecting the policies of the school she chose to join. M. Gibbons, Lincoln
Shabina Begum does look nice in her jilbab, don't you think? So much more attractive than a dowdy school uniform. Frank Upton, Solihull The law lords have delivered a sound and just verdict on this matter. The human rights issue in this case must distinguish the inalienable right to practise faith from the right to practise the ritualistic habits of a religion. In my view, a religion adopts many rituals according to the social conditions at the time the religion flourishes. Dress code may be regarded as a ritualistic practice rather than that of any true conviction of faith. If in future Shabina plans to take up this issue in the Human Rights Court she must be thoroughly advised against it as it will be only a waste of time of money as she is not going to win. She must now be guided properly so she can get on with her life. No doubt she is a brilliant young woman, but one who is in need of proper guidance. Name and address withheld
One point not yet raised in this debate is the statement that this girl chose to wear Muslim apparel because it is regarded as "modest." I would contend that by every definition of the word "modest" Islamic female apparel of the all-enveloping type is the very opposite of modest. It is ostentatious in that it draws attention to the wearer and it is aggressive in that it represents threat and evasion in Western society. This girl's remark that she objected to other uniformed apparel, agreed by her school, because it was worn by "disbelieving women" is a statement of religious bigotry. Since it is a fundamental belief of Judaism, Christianity and Islam that we are all made in the image of God, her remarks should be regarded as especially offensive to all believers. Katherine Barlow, Vienna
The Hadith in question requires both men and women only to dress modestly. No special dress code is specified. This schoolgirl is the puppet of the males in her family, as well as of some very dubious radicals. The notion that she is acting autonomously is absurd. Deirdre Toomey, London
The courts have (rightly) ruled that Ms Begum's human right to wear clothing that expresses her religious belief has a limit - a point where it affects others who may be forced into a similar outfit by hardliners. But I think it is heartening that we have had the debate. The whole point of a liberal society is that it allows fringe opinion to be voiced and issues to be debated. In a totalitarian regime such views would never get an airing. So, Ms Begum, in summary, this society does seem to want to accommodate people like you. The question to ask yourself is do you want to reciprocate? Revathi Padmakumar, London
School uniforms were implemented to ensure that all pupils were treated equally and fairly regardless of background and to remove the possible discrimination or peer pressure. Uniforms are an accepted way of life in Britain that should not be compromised. It is time that immigrants understand that they were given the right to become British on the understanding that they integrate and accept our way of life, and not to create a divided society by driving yet further wedges between our children. Peter Jackson, Houston
Shabina Begum's human rights have not been violated at all. The law lords' decision is absolutely right. I come from a Muslim country (Pakistan) and even there they do not wear the jilbab in the schools. It has nothing to do with Islam. It is a traditional dress mostly worn in the Arab countries. It is time that the Western countries woke up to these fundamental Islamists. Noel Williams, Melbourne, Australia
This verdict is a victory for common sense. When a barrister takes on a case like this they know they will be the real winner financially, even if they lose. We need to stop this constant abuse of the legal profession's misinterpretation of the Human Rights Act. It'sa a gravy train. I suspect this girl will now be advised to appeal to the European court, so that her legal team can extract even more money from the taxpayer. Perhaps if barristers had to pay a penalty for wasting the court’s time, they would not be so keen to take on pathetic cases like this. John Brook, Zhuozhou, China
Shabina Begum's school has a large Muslim majority of pupils and governors, as well as a Muslim head teacher. They have no trouble with the shalwar kameez. But I find Mohammed Khan of Oldham's post interesting [below]. He says that the jilbab is dress code for hard-line Islamic countries. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't that make the jilbab the sartorial expression of the line that says girls should not be educated at all? Michael Petek, Brighton
