Many modern countries are diversenations. Immigrants migrate frommany different nations to the UnitedStates and Western Europe.
Immigrants come to Westernnations for many reasons includingeconomic opportunities andindividual freedoms.
Sometimes immigrants assimilateto the dominant culture of thenation but sometimes immigrantswant to maintain their own culturesand traditions.
Sometimes when immigrants wantto maintain their cultures andtraditions, other citizens areuncomfortable.
In many Western nations, publicschools are secular. Religioussymbols and practices are notallowed in public schools.
But many Western nations advocatetolerance or respecting religious andcultural differences.
However, some individuals believethat tolerating hijab, headscarves,or other coverings violates women’sequal rights. Others disagree.
The Qur'an (the holy book of Islam)encourages women to dressmodestly. Some Muslims believethat modest dress includesheadscarves and hijab.
Hijab is thecustom in someIslamic societiesof womendressing modestlyoutside the home.Usually, aheadscarfconceals the hairand neck.
However, sometimes women covertheir entire bodies except for theireyes.
While some people believe thecoverings ensure modesty, othersbelieve the coverings are oppressiveto women.
Should a liberal society tolerate allreligious practices?
This disagreement has led toconflict between supporters ofsecular and liberal education andsupporters of tolerance anddiversity.
How can a secular nation respectdiversity while still advocatingsecularism?
