The issue of hypocrisy aside, the letter Knowing the why of a 'tudung' begs more questions on freewill and state's stand on dressing .

In a human life cycle, there always comes a religious calling and when it happens, Muslim women in this context have the choice to don a 'tudung' to show piety or submission to the Almighty.

Whether it is worn together with jeans or a tight dress is not the big issue. The central matter is the spirituality that comes from the heart and not the form it is supposed to project.

However, Muslims today not only have to fight excesses from 'externality', they also have to fight judgementalism from within their own community. The peer pressure from society and institutions can be real and pressing to the extent that it seeps into the consciousness of parents and children.

Now, we can see the trend in young children wearing the tudung. Do they at that young age have the calling?

It is indeed perplexing to me that the 'tudung' requirement has become a state matter in certain countries and why this symbol could be politicised and even seen as a threat.

If the banning of the 'tudung' by Turkey's government and the compulsory wearing of it in certain countries is any guide to go by, it just illustrates nothing more but state interference into the peoples' personal affairs.