Hijab ignites Ireland rights debate
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008Shenaz Kermalli;10/9/08
Shukaina, says she feels ‘prouder than ever’ to wear the headscarf. An Irish family at the centre of a nationwide dispute over the wearing of the Islamic headscarf in schools has accused Ireland’s government of repressing minority rights while “flaunting itself as the bastion of democracy”. Liam Egam,whose daughter’s desire to wear the headscarf to school last year sparked the debate, said: “It is time the world witnessed the true face of Ireland. “The issue of the hijab [Islamic headscarf] is a reflection of how Ireland treats its minorities. “It has silently repressed Muslim rights while flaunting itself as the bastion of democracy for far too long.”
