‘CRUEL’ M&S KIDS HIJAB SLAMMED
‘Sick’ online clothes move
MARKS & Spencer was branded “more extreme than Sharia law” for selling hijabs to children as young as three.
Shoppers threatened to boycott the store for flogging youngsters the £6 black head and shoulder scarves.
Middle East expert Maajid Nawaz, of the anti-extremist Quilliam organisation, said the move was “sick” and accused the store giants of gender apartheid.
Mr Nawaz, who hosts a radio show on Londonbased network LBC, had an online row with store staff manning the M&S Twitter account after spotting mini Muslim outfits on sale online.
He tweeted: “@marksandspencer facilitates medievalism by selling children’s hijabs in the school-wear category. To be clear, these are stocked for little girls as young as 3 years old.
“Hijab is still imposed (only on women) by law in Iran and Saudi Arabia and many other countries. “This is gender apartheid. It’s sick.
“There’s absolutely no scripture even alluding to this for pre-pubescent girls.” The M&S account replied: “We provide bespoke uniforms for 250 schools across the country and they tell us which items they need as part of their school uniform list. “For a number of schools this year, they requested the option of the hijab.” Fellow tweeter Liberal T accused the company of being opportunists making money out of “child cruelty” and called on shoppers to join a boycott until the items are removed from sale. Imam Tawhidi – who tweets as Imam Of Peace – messaged: “They’re more extreme than Sharia Law. “Sharia says nine years is the start date for the hijab. “But M&S thinks three years is reasonable.’’ Mr Nawaz’s fellow LBC presenter, ex tennis player Andrew Castle tweeted: “Trouble ‘t Mill Majestic. It’s a horrible bit of kit. Who puts a pre-schooler in this? Can’t be many.”