Yasmin Alibhai-Brown takes an unexplained swipe at the Muslim Council of Britain as she pursues a bizarre attack on those women who choose to wear the veil. She claims that the Muslim Council of Britain is "retrogressive", but gives no reason for this.

The Muslim Council of Britain is a democratic, cross-sectarian Muslim umbrella body that does not pass judgement on any Muslim tradition or tendency. We have consistently argued for equality of opportunity, not for special privilege.

Ms Alibhai-Brown rails against "liberal Westerners" who do not submit to her "progressive Muslim" aim of restricting the veil in public places. We presume her ire would also be reserved for President Obama who said last year: "It is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practising religion as they see fit, for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism."

Tufael Ahmed

Secretary, Media Committee, Muslim Council of Britain, London E1

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The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

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