Turkey

* Turkey’s consul in Los Angeles (letter, May 17) claims that his country has “no restriction over anyone’s clothing in the society by the government.” Well, what about the ban on women who wear the religiously mandated head scarf (hijab) from attending state universities across the country? As an American convert to Islam, I personally find it appalling for someone to be banned from classes because of what she wears on her head.

During the Cold War years, our government unethically overlooked various human rights abuses by our “allies.” Things have changed since then. We can no longer tolerate such abuses. Unless Turkey stops its policy of religious discrimination, it is not worthy of our friendship.

VILMA AVILA

Anaheim