In his opinion piece (September 23), Dr Hojjat Ramzy correctly writes that the wearing of the veil “exists as a tradition in some Muslim countries or tribes.” But he contradicts himself a little by saying the niqab is ‘Islamic’.

The face veil is a cultural left-over from pre-Islamic societies.The Qu’ran says nothing about the face veil. Liberal opinion should not regard the wearing of it as a religious freedom.

Unfortunately, some wealthy countries who suppress women’s rights, especially Wahabist Saudi Arabia, have used their petro dollars to promote these attitudes at the expense of more progressive Islamic opinion. They have used their money in Pakistan to promote intolerance towards other religions and other branches of Islam. Hardly a day goes past without some form of atrocity in that country.

I do hope British Muslims will distance themselves from fourth-century traditions.

SYLVIA VETTA

Kennington