ES Views Letter of the Day: Don’t ask children about the hijab

I read your article “Muslim schoolgirls will be quizzed on why they choose to wear a hijab, Ofsted chief says” [November 20].

However, the Ofsted recommendations for inspectors in primary schools to question young girls regarding their choice to wear the hijab are problematic. In cases where girls freely decide to wear the headscarf, having been inspired by their mothers or other elders of their family, then this ought to be treated as a personal matter and should not be condemned.

They are not breaking uniform policies and it can’t be right to question five-year-olds about such issues. Children have to put up with enough bullying as it is — they don’t need teachers joining in.

Where there may be legitimate concerns for the welfare of older Muslim girls, such questions should be asked with sensitivity. Get this right and make sure children are not made to feel there is something wrong with their religion.
Usman Khan