Although I am a Christian, I feel that I must register my protest against the Singapore governments move to ban female Muslim pupils from wearing the tudung in schools. It is a gross violation of their human, religious and cultural rights.

The government cited racial integration as the reason for banning it. If that is the case, then it should also ban Sikh students from wearing turbans, Catholics from wearing the crucifix and Buddhists and Taoists from wearing religious talismans. Perhaps, students in mourning should also be barred from wearing any clothing or artifacts as deemed appropriate by their customs!

I cannot see the logic in the reasoning that such a ban could foster racial and religious harmony. On the contrary, I believe such an unjust policy would only arouse the suspicions of the people of various faiths.

Although I am a firm believer in the exclusive claims of my religion, I feel that people of all faiths should unite in protecting their rights to practise their own religions freely.