SIR - With reference to the letters from E Mills, T Tordoff and June Sherwin (T&A, October 25). I was disappointed at their bluntness and as a Muslim I feel we are under attack on such a small issue as the female veil.

I must agree with Les Vasey's views in the same issue that these Muslim females should be respected for setting high standards of behaviour.

Previously Muslim women were able to wear the veil or hijaab in their private and professional life without fear or repraisal but this nonsense will see them become second-class citizens.

What is needed is an equal playing field so that all females feel free to contribute to society and work alongside their colleagues whatever their faith or dress sense.

I must also point out that the British society is no longer a non-Muslim society, but rather a multicultural society where Muslims are also playing important roles.

Jack Straw has got it wrong and in doing so is creating a rift within society, which is causing the very thing we have been trying so hard to eliminate, segregation.

Is integration not the understanding and acceptance of different cultures and religions?

Ishtiaq Ahmed, Silverhill Road, Bradford