It is a fact that many British Muslims wear the Hijab and Nikab. It is also obvious that we have a culture amongst British Muslims that these items of clothing be worn.

However, and I am being very careful here, there are those who feel that the full or partial veil upsets some people. They talk about communication and visual difficulties. They talk about British integration. They also talk about a culture above British cultural norms--or even below it.

My view on this matter is quite simple: I have many Muslim friends but they are going to have to make some sacrifices if they are prepared to live in a country, which, quite frankly, is non-Muslim in nature. There is something uncomfortable about Muslims who are making demands, imposing cultural legacies, in an adopted country.

Before you condemn me let me tell you that I live in a liberal Middle Eastern country where the veil is being shrugged off daily and where the young girls wear T-shirts and jeans and flaunt their beautiful black hair in public.

My point is this: Why should British Muslims get so uptight about the veil when many girls from Lebanon and Egypt shrug off this cultural demand and show their hair off in full display, wear Levis and even have bare arms? Some even wear skirts. British Muslim women are lagging behind Muslim women's rights to freedom. Why?

It is quite ironic that the Muslim women of Britain are behind those
of the Middle East. Comments please.