Sadiq Khan has said a question should be asked about “what is going on” in families with Muslim women who wear hijabs and niqabs.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Labour’s London mayoral candidate said that he questioned why young Muslim women in London are choosing to keep their heads and bodies covered – a sight that Mr Khan said he did not see growing up in the capital or when visiting Pakistan.

The MP for Tooting, said: “When I was younger you didn’t see people in hijabs and niqabs, not even in Pakistan when I visited my family.

“In London we got on. People dressed the same.

“What you see now are people born and raised here who are choosing to wear the jilbab or niqab. There is a question to be asked about what is going on in those homes.

“What’s insidious is if people are starting to think it is appropriate to treat women differently or that it has been forced on them. What worries me is children being forced to adopt a lifestyle.”

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan (Getty Images)

The 45-year-old, who became the first Muslim cabinet minister under Gordon Brown in 2009, said he also believes that women working in public service should allow people to see their faces, saying that “eye contact matters”.

He added: “There is no other city in the world where I would want to raise my daughters than London.

“They have rights, they have protection, the right to wear what they like, think what they like, to meet who they like, to study what they like, more than they would in any other country.”

Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Show all 7 1 /7 Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sadiq Khan - Labour The MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan says the mayoral election will be a 'referendum on the Tory housing crisis'. He has also pledged to freeze fares until 2020. Son of a bus driver, and doesn't let anyone forget it. His Conservative opponent has made claims about people who he has previously associated with - but attacks so far have failed to stick Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Zac Goldsmith - Conservative The MP for Richmond, Zac Goldsmith is a longstanding campaigner against the expansion of Heathrow airport. Despite his environment credentials - he once edited The Ecologist magazine - the Tory candidate has said he would 'rip out' Boris Johnson's cycle lanes if they don't work. A very wealthy man, his campaign has been dogged by accusations of racism against Sadiq Khan Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sian Berry - Green Party A councillor in the London Borough of Camden, Sian Berry is campaigning on improving homes for renters, cleaning up London's air pollution, and flattening fare zones to help Londoners. She previously ran as the party's mayoral candidate in 2008. In 2012, the Green Party came in third place Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Caroline Pidgeon - Liberal Democrat A Liberal Democrat London Assembly member for eight years, Caroline Pidgeon has a strong record on the Assembly's transport committee standing up for commuters and cyclists alike. She wants to set up a £2 billion housing investment fund and make all the capital's buses zero emission Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Peter Whittle - UKIP UKIP hasn't fared so well in London in previous elections, but is hoping for a breakthrough this time. Peter Whittle has been UKIP's culture spokesperson for two years. He tends to focus on the impact of immigration on London's housing crisis Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance George Galloway - RESPECT George Galloway has made a habit of defying the odds and pulling off stunning victories when standing for Parliament. His campaign - based on the slogan 'a London for all' has so far failed to make headway in the polls - has his luck run out? Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sophie Walker - Women's Equality Party A journalist, Sophie Walker is campaigning for the little-known Women's Equality Party. She is pledging to make 'equality and diversity the fuel that drives our nation's capital' with measures to increase women's representation in enterprise, more affordable homes and flexible childcare

Mr Khan, known for actively campaigning against extremism, has been accused by his Conservative rival, Zac Goldsmith, of giving a “platform, oxygen and cover to people who are extremists”.

Mr Goldsmith, 41, has, in turn, been accused of “racially profiling” voters after leaflets in support of his campaign were targeted at the “British Indian community”, mentioning concerns they might have of their jewellery being burgled and the Richmond Park MP’s visit to Wembley Stadium to welcome Indian’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.