Who knew a wee piece of fabric could be the subject of a ruling in the highest court in Europe? Just last week the European Court of Justice ruled that employers could ban the wearing of the hijab and other religious symbols if the job in question required the employee to appear religiously neutral. The court said employers had to show a "genuine need" such as the "legitimate wishes" of customers, for the ban. Fiercely criticised, demonised and misunderstood, the hijab has become one of the most hotly debated topics in Europe. Simultaneously seen by some as a symbol of female oppression and by others as a symbol of religious freedom to wear what one wants, one thing is for sure: worldwide more women are choosing to wear the simple scarf that covers the hair than ever before.