Page - 26 - in Tina and Amir & Ella - English

5 10 15 20 25 30 26 religious, when they are here in Austria the women don`t go without a scarf (hijab), not even if it is as hot as today. And whenever a man is walking up the stairs in our house, my aunt and my cousin put the scarf around their head tightly. I don`t care.” “I think they have to accept that they are in another country now and rules here are different than in Iran.” Isabell said. “Of course they obey the rules here, but...” Dina said. “Headscarves will not hurt anybody, so why should people not be able to wear a hijab?” I asked. “My mother said Muslim women have limits and rights that they believe in. It is part of their religion and you have no right to mess around with other people`s religion. If you are a Christian would you like people to tell you to take off the cross? Isn’t it the same thing?” Dina asked. Sonia came along – she had heard what Dina was saying to us and said: “No, it isn’t. Because, for example, some of the girls from my sister’s school are singled out and ignored be- cause of their scarf.” “My mother said it is a symbol of female oppression.” Isa- bell said. “I think the headscarf should be banned. I heard something on TV - I think in France they banned the hijab in schools!” So- nia stated. “No, the hijab should not be banned. It is an act gest for hu- man freedom.” Dina said. “Equality is everyone’s. Every per- son deserves equality. If people are allowed to wear crosses, why shouldn’t other people be able to wear a hijab?” “But what if girls are forced to wear it by their parents?” Isabell asked.