It was interesting to read Abu Qistinas feedback (Not too young to wear the tudung , Feb 8) on my letter, although it clearly reflected his own religious bias as a Muslim.

The fact remains (which he ignores) that six-year-olds are nowhere near puberty and as a result it is purely the parents' insistence in imposing their own highly subjective opinions of religious responsibility that is the issue here.

This is not a case of religious intolerance or minority discrimination. I brought out this fact simply to clear the air about this issue.

What must be noted is that Singapore did not issue a blanket ban on tudung (headscarf) as Muslim ladies in higher institutions of learning do wear the tudung , although some chose not to, as is their right in a religiously tolerant society like Singapore.

It is also inconvenient for young primary schoolgirls to wear their tudung as they are involved in many outdoor and vigorous activities.

How are climatic factors, the Malay identity and Malay elegance factored into the Malay-Muslim attire of today? For six-year-olds, shouldn't their outfits allow them freedom of movement without encumbrances?

Many Muslim women, Malaysian Minister of Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz for example, choose not to wear the tudung . Just like Japans ex-Foreign Minister Tanaka, she is a figure I admire for her ability, her fire and her expressive ability, regardless of the fact whether she covers her head or not. Would you care to tell her straight in the face that she is not a good Muslim and a bad example to Muslim women worldwide?

To sum up, I like to quote from Jula Julis letter (Feb 5).

It clearly seems that many Muslims in Singapore and Malaysia are overly obsessed with Islamic physical forms like head scarves, skull caps, moustaches, beards and an assortment of Arabic and lately, Pakistani attire, which do not reflect a continuity with the elegant Malay-Muslim wear of the past. Such an obsession with form is without substance for it only trivialises Islam in the eyes of the world.

Thanks to their parents, the children have now become controversial figures in their respective schools and country. How socially acceptable will they be to Singapore's mainstream society? What kind of future can we hope for them if they are deprived of mainstream education? Is it worth sacrificing a child's future for the sake of a piece of cloth which is more of an Arabic or Iranian head wear than it is Malay in form?

As such, your statement, ... some parents opt to make their little girls wear the tudung when young so that they would be comfortable with wearing it once its mandatory for them to do so ...  ignores the reality of the situation.

Based on their own religious biases, the parents of these six-year olds have certainly made life uncomfortable for their children. Even before they have reached their puberty.