The announcement of recent restrictions to stop male hairdressers from cutting women’s hair in the Gaza Strip appears to be the latest step by the ruling Islamist group, Hamas, to impose more conservative Islamic customs there. But how far are these measures enforced?

There are five male hairdressers for women in Gaza – and I’ve been going to one of them for years. I saw him the other day and he said: “Yes, I’m still here, it’s my job!” He was laughing about it, because he and the others are all still working. But it makes me feel sad. Last summer there were several “policies” which were never quite realised. 

I haven’t felt any direct pressure on attitudes against women since Hamas took over

There was a ruling that female lawyers should cover their hair when acting in civil courts. But after people complained, it was dropped. I think this thing against male hairdressers will be the same. Since Hamas took over I haven’t felt any direct pressure on attitudes against women. I still wear the same clothes, I don’t wear the veil, I go to places with men and women. Perhaps the general atmosphere is becoming more religious and conservative. My view is that the top level of Hamas wants a balance. But there are people with more extreme views in the lower levels, people who don’t like the idea of women even leaving the house. There may not be many of them now, but the numbers will increase unless conditions in Gaza improve. Economic pressures have been building on both men and women for a long time. The closure of Gaza creates the perfect conditions for breeding an extremist mentality. I am not optimistic about the coming generation, unless Gaza opens up.    EDITOR:  BLOG.JETSETTINGMAGAZINE.COM  and     BBC NEWS    20 March 2010