enjoyed the story but disappointed with the comment that wearing an abaya is like being a 'mournful ghost'. Not at all!!! That was clearly written by someone who does not regularly choose to wear abayas. I've always felt great in my abayas...beautiful material, colourful with sparkly bits! Really easy to wear and one feels elegant. I've certainly never been told by anyone in my family that I have to wear an abaya. An abaya is something I choose to wear. Why do some people think that unless and until women the world over wear jeans and a T-shirt then we are oppressed? Think of all the traditional and not so traditional clothes the world over...if everyone wore the standard jeans and T-shirt then wouldn't it be so boring???

Having the choice about what you wear is really the point isn't it? THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE. In some parts of Saudi women have to wear one and this is wrong. So is insisting on westernising everything. Each country has it's own history that has brought them to the point they are now. All countries are not the same and should not be.

So don't assume that here in Qatar when you see us Qatarias wearing our abayas that we have been forced to become 'mournful ghosts' - there are definitely many, many of us who wear them out of choice...not a 'mournful ghost in sight' when I am out and about with family and friends!!!

Let's celebrate our differences and enjoy what we choose to wear!!!