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ept 17, p. 8

These are responses to a comment made in response to the letter Why cant I wear a hijab? (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 13) by Dina Anggraini Soegio.

The hijab is an expression of your religion. The professional sphere should be free and neutral in terms of religion and people you work with dont want to know about your religion.

Some Westerners consider a hijab degrading for women; a symbol of submission.

But above all the religious and moral considerations, the company you work with just doesnt want to reflect any religion through their employed, which is sensible and completely legitimate.

You cannot blame them. You have a right to wear your hijab but companies have the right to impose strict uniform criteria on their staff. My personal opinion is that women are more beautiful without a hijab. (Nanda)

Your comments:

I also have grown up in the West and spent most of my life in non-Muslim countries. Indonesia is the first Muslim country I have lived in. I chose to wear a hijab while in the UK and have lived and worked in several European and non-Muslim countries since.

A hijab is an integral part of Islam. I did not choose to wear it to protect myself from men. I wore it because Muslims have been told to cover since the time of the Prophet Muhammad

I have always found that non-Muslims and Muslims respect you more when they know you have values that you follow rather than find excuses for it.

I spend less time focusing on dressing up and fixing my hair and more on working because I dont need to dress to impress, I impress them with my words instead.

Brekhna

Every year, there is a discussion about what businesses can be open during Ramadhan.

During last Ramadhan I visited Carrefour, like so many times before but this time I noticed that all the female cashiers wore a hijab.

I politely asked the lady on my checkout. Why are all the ladies wearing a hijab?

She replied that during Ramadhan all ladies working for Carrefour have to wear a hijab. To my surprise, I was told that it was regardless of the persons religion!

Per Aldrin

The hijab is not an expression of Islam. Otherwise, Indonesian Muslims would have worn it for more than five centuries. It is, however, the symbol of submission forced on women by members of Wahhabism and Salafism.

Edo E

Sorry, Nanda. You misunderstand. If you dont respect your religion then you will never ever get respect in any environment, be it in society or the workplace.

Remember, everything is from Allah, be it respect or insult. If you obey Allah, you will succeed everywhere but if you do not then no one can guarantee you success.

Mohammed Moaz

I disagree with Nanda. Her comment, the company you work with just doesnt want to reflect any religion through their employees, implies that the company is acting in a discriminative manner and if so, it is violating the human rights of the individual. We, as individuals, have a right to reflect our religion as long as it does not affect other people or bring discomfort to others. Islam is a religion that is fine on its own. The misinterpretation of the religion has misguided its believers and the non-believers.

Wearing the hijab, to me, appears to be a cultural custom more than a religious obligation. Dont mistake the two.

Nanat

Many Indonesian women are taught to be modest from an early age and believe it or not, some may feel awkward or self-conscious when stared at by men.

The hijab gives us confidence in the way we work and act, we focus on what to do and what not to do, instead of how we look. The hijab gives us physical, moral and spiritual respect and protection. What the hijab does not give us is a bad hair day. So what else can be more comforting at work?

Aysha