Sir – If, as Mr Emlyn-Jones suggests (Letters, February 11), the niqab has changed meaning over time, then what is its meaning now?

He doesn’t tell us. He is dismissive of the cultural sensitivities of people who find the symbolism deeply oppressive, but theirs too is a genuine cultural concern, and perfectly understandable.

It is no surprise, by the way, that some wearers of the veil might find it acceptable. I can’t speak for them, and I can imagine many have deeply felt reasons for it, but it might also be a conditioned response, or a feeling that they don’t have a choice.

Although I would not agree with a total ban, like the one in France, the circumstances in which it is suggested that the veil should not be allowed will seem perfectly reasonable to many people. Being able to see clearly the face of a person you are talking to is an important aspect of communication.

Faces tell us a lot about their owners’ reception of what we are saying. Religion is not good at adapting to changed circumstances. Christianity, that other religion of middle eastern origin, has also had difficulty adapting to cultural change. Witness the time it took to accept women vicars, let alone bishops. But it did, so one wonders what all the fuss was about, and why it was ever considered so important in the first place.

Paul Surman
Horspath