One of UK’s departmental store
Debenhams has said it is going to be the first to the Muslim hijabs in the
country.
According to the company, the Islamic
veil is going to be launched first in the Oxford Street store and then rolled out
to Birmingham’s Bullring, Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush, Manchester’s Trafford
Centre and Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre.
Tops, kimono wraps, caps, hijab
pins and headscarves for Muslims will feature in the new range to be launched
in May.
The idea is being spearheaded by
a London-based clothing brand Aab, which says it out to sell ‘contemporary
modest wear’ for women.
The launch of the new line of
stock will also enable Debenhams to open stores in Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia.
According to Jeanette Whithear,
of Debenham: “Adding the high quality fashion range to our product mix enables
us to offer collections that are highly relevant in both international markets
and to our domestic customers.
“This is a step closer to
creating a product offer that caters for broader customer needs.”
Though the proposed new line of
stock has been both embraced and heavily criticised.
Some defended the store for
allowing women to “choose” their clothing - others were outranged and demanded
a “boycott” of the store.
One Twitter user said:
“[Debenhams] have no problem with representing females as chattels of men to be
covered up from view.”
Another user wrote: “They already
have their own private retail outlets for these items is there any need for a
national chain to start socking them?”
While some said they would no
longer patronise the store.
Find below comments made by
various individuals concerning the new move
One man said: “Hi @Debenhams
“I shall now endeavor to forever
avoid your stores, I'm sure I'm not alone in having this thought.”
Another said: “yes it's Debenhams
and I will never shop there again!”
While some users started the
hashtag #BoycottDebenhams.
One wrote: “Boycott Debenhams it
is one way we can fight back. We have to stop this creeping parasite.
Another Twitter user said: “Any
woman who wears one of these voluntarily must be sick. Debenhams should be
ashamed of itself. Boycott the store.
On the other hand some social
media users called the step a leap forward and welcomed the change.
A
woman wrote: “It's clothes that is all. Each to their own.
“Some people wear bikinis some
don't I'm sure they will sell well in cities with a high Muslim population.
“If you want to ban Islam then you
must ban religion full stop.”
Another user said: “This is
massive. Well done to Debenhams.”
Scott Nelson said: “Debenhams is
selling hijabs and bigots are losing their minds.”
Nazmin Alim, founder and creative
director at Aab, said: “We started Aab almost a decade ago as a label that
redefined modest fashion and one that caters for everyday modern wardrobe
staples.
“The partnership with Debenhams
opens up some very exciting opportunities for us.
“We look forward to Aab’s next
phase of growth alongside Debenhams in offering contemporary modest fashion
globally.”
In 2016 Marks & Spencer took
an even bolder step by stocking burkinis for the first time, retailing at
£49.50.
The department store made the
move despite France, banning the swimwear in public.
Several EU nations have also
attempted to ban the burqa, including France, Belgium and Bulgaria.
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