to think that JL are perfectly within their rights to sell a hijab as part of 'school uniform' ranges?

[MaybeIAmJustNotReasonable]

John Lewis signed contracts to start a sale of hijabs within their school uniform range, having signed contracts with two schools in London and Liverpool. AIBU to think is actually okay, and we should accept the fact people can dress how they like, in terms with their religion?

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Where's the unreasonable part of your OP?
Normally we get an opposing view to argue against

[MaybeIAmJustNotReasonable]

Jenny, have been told by people it is 'disgusting' of JL to sell it, and that it's getting rid of typical British values

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Who is U. I like someone to be U.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

x-posted, they are U.

[beccajoh]

Perfectly reasonable as far as I can see.

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Well those people are unreasonable

Shops can sell whatever they like, british muslims need clothes to wear just the same as british non muslims do

[Chippednailvarnish]

Stop reading the daily fail OP.

[JabberJabberJay]

Of course it's reasonable.

[EverythingIsAwesome]

Ive had someone on Facebook rant about how awful it is of John Lewis to sell them :(

[MrsHathaway]

I'm surprised there's a need - surely it's like tights/trousers/coats, where the school simply specifies a colour.

I have no idea how selling hijabs is destroying British values, unless those values are xenophobia and oppression.

[PumpkinPie2013]

It's entirely reasonable. I work in schools in an area where a lot of Muslim people live. On the school uniform lists it actually states that a black hijab can be worn.

It would be like shops refusing to sell girls school trousers!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I assume these same people are also annoyed about JL selling skirts, because only girls wear them, they are sexist, some argue limiting... No? Weird.

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

MrsHathaway it depends though, our high school has one specific skirt that has the badge embroidered on the waistband so it could be similar with the hijab.

[TheBogQueen]

Travelling in Egypt 15 years ago, I never saw young girls with heads covered.

It's very sad that little girls are singled out in this way. I don't support it. But we live in a free country so parents are allowed to dress their children how they like even if it means imposing their religious beliefs.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

JL have sold them for years, DD's school has had a navy Hijab in it's uniform for over 20 years. JL had their school uniform contract until 2008.
It was added when a certain Royal Family approached the school about their daughters attending, but asked for a uniform variation to include a Hijab and an ankle length skirt.

[AliciaBotty]

Why do little girls have to cover their heads? What's wrong with their heads? Why don't boys have to do this?

Genuinely interested. Anyone?

I guess JL are tapping into a market. They are a business after all. Weird that such a thing exists though.

[WooWooOwl]

Of course It's ok.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I'd never heard of cycling shorts under dresses and girls not doing cartwheels in case someone sees knickers 15 years ago. Women are being held responsible for men's sexuality everywhere. Awfully depressing. However, singling out Muslims for this opprobrium is prejudiced. How about the DM get their women-hating, rape-apologist house in order before having a go at the Muslims?

[Ronmione]

Why do little girls have to cover their heads? What's wrong with their heads? Why don't boys have to do this?.

This is a really interesting questions.

[BramwellBrown]

Selling uniform hijabs is hardly a new thing, when i was at school the rule was navy or black and you could buy them from the local uniform shop, the Guiding uniform shop sell them too (although i think they are an option rather than the only hijabs allowed)

[nocoolnamesleft]

In Egypt 10 years ago, hardly anyone in the cities seemed to be veiled. In a remote village in the delta, all the women were. The greatest opponent to veiling that I know is an Egyptian friend who is both a devout Muslim, and a feminist. I think adults should have a right to veil, if that is their own wish. But I don't think anyone else should have the right to impose it. I would prefer under 18s to be unveiled. But I would sooner a 16 yr old was in college veiled, than restricted from attending. So...I am conflicted. One could wonder, however, why men never seem to be expected to veil...

[TheBogQueen]

It's not a massive deal. But it's a shame girls are always finagled out on thus way .

[TheBogQueen]

Sorry - 'singled out'

And yy if this is what is required to ensure these little girls attend school then so be it. It's a £6 bit of cloth.

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

I left school 20 mumble years ago and our school had a navy blue hijab as part of the uniform when necessary, as well as trousers of a fairly light material to be worn under the skirt. Which wasn't often but it was available. If I remember rightly my friend started to cover her hair when she started high school, I don't remember her doing it at primary. Her girls don't wear a hijab as far as I know.

[LadyLemongrab]

Makes sense that high street stores would offer particularly in areas where there would be higher demand. Supply and demand and all that.

I work with lots of young girls who wear hijab or Khimar. I will never feel comfortable with the idea that a 5yo needs to be covered in this way, or should be.

I used to be very opinionated on this - I was outraged years ago when there was all that business about France and banning etc. found it oppressive, ignorant, racist.

But my feelings have changed, I see so many families where the dad and sons wear jeans, shorts, t shirts, vests, logos...whatever they like or is fashionable or they are comfortable in. And then there's mum and the the daughters almost invisible.