14 October 2013

Top BBC Muslim broadcaster says no to Islamic dress code

One of Britain’s most high-profile Muslim woman broadcasters has spoken out against the post-9/11 Muslim fixation with “Islamic dress” after being publicly accosted by a “fellow Muslim” who complimented her on her work and then said: “But you’ll have to wear the hijab one day.” To which she replied firmly, “I don’t think so.”

Mishal Husain described it as “an awkward exchange” that made her reflect on “what amounts to Islamic dress”, and on the current debate in Britain over the issue following a series of controversies in recent weeks.

Ironically, the encounter occurred the day she was appointed as the first-ever Muslim woman journalist to present BBC Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme Today. [Firstpost.com] Read more