I have to respond to Julian Symes' letter about the wearing of hijab (July 8).

He states that women opposed to the hijab are not given a platform for their views and then mentions "modern" Muslim women.

It is the ones who are obliged to wear the hijab who are not being permitted to air their views.

He further argues that it takes courage to wear the hijab due to racist taunts. But if the alternative is far worse abuse by male relatives, the woman's choice is limited.

I also take issue with Mr Symes' statement that honour killings are cultural, rather than religious.

There are many cultures in which more than one religion operates. It is only in Islam that honour killings are permitted. These are carried out in the name of Islamic law, so therefore are religious, not cultural.

Until every Imam and Islamic scholar categorically denounces these killings as un-Islamic, they will continue. Mr Symes states that they have. May I ask when?

Until Islamic leaders reread the Qu'ran, and begin to treat women as human beings, Afghani mothers will still give birth while wearing their trousers,

Indian Muslim women will still be killed if they are victims of rape, female circumcision will still continue and the hijab will still be a symbol of these practices.

Penny Hajduk

-Manton Road, Lower Bevendean