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"Soccer moms 'R' us" is a good way to describe the recreational league I play in," Sheema Khan writes today on the Comment Page of the Globe in her article Don't kick up a fuss on hijabs

"We are women, over 30 years of age, who get together every week in friendly, competitive matches.

"I am the only hijabi in the league, but no one has ever raised the issue of my head scarf being a safety hazard . . . In fact, I don't think anyone notices it anymore. I'm simply known as "No. 13 . . .

"That is why I shook my head in disbelief when I heard yesterday about Asmahan Mansour, 11, who was barred from playing in a Quebec tournament for wearing her hijab. Apparently, the referee ruled it a safety hazard."

The ban has ignited a fierce debate, with the Quebec Soccer Federation defending the referee's decision as a matter of safety, not religious prejudice.

Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest backed the soccer officials today, saying: "They have their rules, and they're for safety. It's up to them to apply the rules, and they applied them in the way they saw fit … and I don't have a problem with that," he said Tuesday morning during a stop in the provincial election campaign.

Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair took a different tack, backing the girl and criticizing Charest. Full Story: Charest backs referee in soccer flap

What do you think? Is it unfair to ban the hijab for soccer games? Or is there a real safety issue?

The soccer-playing, hijab-wearing Ms. Khan joined us online earlier to take your questions on the issue and on her column today.

Your questions and Ms. Khan's answers appear at the bottom of this page.

Ms. Khan came to Montreal from India at the age of 3. She obtained a Masters degree in physics and a Ph.D. in chemical physics from Harvard.

After Harvard, she returned to Canada to work in R&D for a pharmaceutical firm and is an inventor of a number of patented inventions in drug delivery. After that, she worked at a couple of law firms in intellectual property law.

Ms. Khan also served as chair of the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), a grassroots advocacy group from 2000-2005.

She is married, with three small children.

Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length, clarity or relevance. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on Globe journalists, the guests or participants in these discussions, or questions/comments that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.

Tabassum Siddiqui, Globeandmail.com: Good afternoon, Sheema, and welcome back to the Globeandmail.com online forum.

This has become a very hot topic over the past day, with everyone from Quebec politicians to everyday Canadians weighing in with their opinion. We heard your thoughts on the subject in your column in today's paper, but why do you think this issue has captured such widespread attention?

Sheema Khan: In Quebec, the issue of 'reasonable accomodation' has become a hot topic over the past few months. It picked up steam with comments from ADQ leader Mario Dumont, and international attention when the town council of Herouxville decided to weigh in on the subject. It is now an election issue, as Quebeckers debate the limits of inclusive policies. In Canada, a similar debate is taking place as we discuss limits of multiculturalism. This may be an imperfect analogy, but the present hijab brouhaha is reminiscient of the debate over the permissibility of allowing a Sikh to serve in the RCMP while wearing his turban. We have various notions of what defines "Canadian" identity (or Quebec identity), and we are now facing choice of whether such definitions can include beliefs and customs which have not been part of historical markers of national identity.

bad dog, Buffalo, NY: Sheema: Why do Muslims INSIST that the hijab is religiously mandated by the Qu'ran and the Hadith when it is not so?

Sheema Khan: I suppose it is a question of interpretation. Just as you 'insist' that the hijab is not religiously mandated, others do. Those who insist, have bases for their beliefs - namely, Qur'anic verses (in chapters 24 and 33), and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Those who don't also have their arguments. The point is that we can agree to disagree without forcing the other side to capitulate.

Adam Berel Wetstein, Toronto: I notice that the at world women's World Cup qualifier that the Indonesian team did not wear the hijab. It was explained on the telecast that because the scarf goes around the neck it is considered dangerous. Is a hijab worn that tightly that it would not pull off if grabbed?

Sheema Khan: Thanks Adam for a wonderful question. There are 'sports' hijabs that do not tie around the neck. There are also shorter hijabs that also are not tied around the neck (I wear one when I play soccer). I can't speak for the Indonesian team, but it does make sense that a player would not want loose ends of the scarf hanging around the neck. The Iranian women's team apparently plays with the hijab.

R.M., Regina: Rules can be for fools. My son played minor hockey and at a tournament in Lethbridge the opposing coach notified the referee that my son had a Canadian flag decal on his helmet in direct contravention of minor hockey rules that say the only decals can be safety decals. We had to find a new helmet while we scraped off the flag. Someone else said the insurance policy could be voided because of an unauthorized decal. How do we stop these issues from becoming 'political footballs,' with Charest on one side, the PQ on another, and all these groups and individuals blowing these matters, in my opinion, way out of proportion? Surely these are matters of common sense at the local recreational level?

Sheema Khan: Hi, R.M.: Thanks for putting some perspective on this issue, which is that these are kids playing sports for enjoyment. In this case, there could have been a discussion prior to the game between the ref and coaches/officials to see if something 'common-sense' could have been worked out. Unfortunately, Jean Charest has weighed into the debate, making it even more politically-charged than need be.

Blair King, Langley: As a former coach (and referee), I'd like to correct your misunderstanding of the role and responsibility of the referee and then ask a question. Prior to start of play, the referee is required to ensure all loose clothing and jewelry is removed. This includes making players tuck in their shirts and pull up their socks. The reason for this has to do with safety and liability. A toque or other tight piece of clothing does not pose a risk that a loose piece of clothing like a hijab does. Any loose clothing poses a risk of getting caught in a melee.

Had the referee allowed the young woman to play and she or another player got hurt because of unapproved loose clothing (the hijab), the referee would have been considered negligent. Because the rules say loose clothing is not allowed, the referee would not be protected by the league's insurance had someone sued as compensation for any injury resulting from the loose piece of clothing. What you don't seem to realize is that your referees take a huge legal (and financial) risk every time they let you play with the hijab on. Why should a referee accept this sort of financial and legal risk?

Sheema Khan: Hi, Blair: Thanks for bringing a much-needed perspective. I believe that all of us put the safety of children first. Yet, Ontario refs have had no problem with hijab-wearing players. Neither has Australia. People have found ways to ensure safety, while allowing Muslim girls/women to play the world's most popular game. We in Canada can surely do the same.

Dave N., Toronto: Why are you shaking your head in disbelief, Sheema? These are the rules of the soccer world body. When you play as a professional, you are supposed to follow the rules that apply. There is a big difference between playing with girlfriends and playing within a league. Would you suggest that the WNBA should change their outfits, too? Maybe the police force should also change their uniform to accommodate all religions?

Sheema Khan: Hi, Dave: Thanks for bringing up a number of different points. I will deal with each one. First, the rules of FIFA do not ban the hijab. In fact, on FIFA's website, you can find pictures of the Iranian Women's National soccer team - the players have their heads covered. FIFA is trying to promote women's soccer in a number of Muslim countries, and has not banned the hijab at all. Closer to home many provincial soccer federations have managed to ensure safety for hijab-clad soccer players. We are adhering to the rules.

Second - it would be interesting to see how the WNBA would deal with a hijabi basketball player.

Third - our national police force (the RCMP) has had to accomodate its uniform for religious followers, thereby allowing Sikh officers to wear their turban. I even know of a Muslim woman who has trained with our Armed forces, with no problems posed by her hijab.

L.C., Edmonton: Do you think the referee in this case was simply trying to uphold the rules, or make a political statement? It seems unlikely that one ref at a small tournament would have any idea his action would blow up into such a major issue. And some reports have suggested he himself was also a Muslim -- do you think that is a factor at all?

Sheema Khan: Interesting questions. As a soccer player, I assume the referee is using his/her best judgement in applying the rules. I assume this to be the case here. However, it is what ensued following his initial decision that poses problems (namely, comments by Quebec Soccer Federation officials, and entry into the debate by none other than the Premier of Quebec). The ref's decision also seems to have been inconsistent with the decision of referees in the other tournament games played by Asma Mansour. I also don't know how his reportedly Muslim background would have anything to do with his call.

However, one would have to be extremely naive to think that such a decision would have no repercussions - given the charged climate in Quebec over the issue of "reasonable accomodation" and a three-way provincial election race underway.

While the focus has been on the hijab and the referee, we should also look at the action of solidarity by Asma's teammates, coach and four other Ontario teams who walked out in protest. This was not a minor step, but reflects a deep-seated belief on the part of the teams (that walked out) that the tournament conditions were tremendously unfair. Their actions say quite a bit.

Tabassum Siddiqui, Globeandmail.com: Thanks very much for your insights, Sheema. Any final thoughts on the subject?

Sheema Khan: We should view this particular incident in context, and seek to find a resolution as quickly as possible. First, the Canadian Soccer Association, in consultation with FIFA, should issue a ruling, so that there is no further confusion.

Second, Quebec politicians should refrain from using this matter (or any other that involves minorities) for election sound-bites. 'Reasonable accomodation' is a charged issue within Quebec - often involving minorities - that should not become part of emotional election rhetoric.

Third - let's all just calm down, and realize that we can arrive at mutually-acceptable solutions by drawing on broad principles that have served us well in building a vibrant nation.

Thanks to all those who wrote in with their thought-provoking questions.