Symbol of oppression

I THOUGHT Steven King’s column on the subject of the hijab (February 10) was a very reasoned and well structured piece that treated the subject with respect.

I too consider the hijab to be a symbol of male oppression of women. I do not agree with the notion it is religious and consider it to be a cultural fossil. It is taken from the days when Arabic people lived only in desert areas and where protecting the face and eyes was just commonsense.

But, like Steven King, I support the right of women to wear the hijab if they so wish so long as it does not affect people working in security or similar situations.