Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Regarding Rachel Reid's "The
Taliban War on Women Continues" (op-ed, July 14): It is up to the
women of the Western world to fight this war. In every photograph of
Western women (i.e., government official or reporter) meeting or
interviewing Islamic leaders, they are very modestly dressed, with arms
and legs fully covered and wearing a head scarf. This is a mode of
dress they would never adopt when meeting with a Western leader. When
asked why, the reply is to "show respect for the Islamic custom." At
this point the women have lost the war by admitting they are second
class.

Western women can only
help the women of the Islamic world by demanding equal treatment with
men. Every Western government should include women at every level of
every meeting with Islamic leaders and their dress should be the same as
it would be if they were meeting with a Western government or business
leader. This may seem simplistic but can you think of a better way to
start?

I am an 80-year-old male who has lived and worked in the Islamic
world. Western women need to take the lead as role models encouraging
change in the Islamic world.

Jay Dunton

Oakland, Calif.