Is it part of Islamic culture or Islamic religion? Why Islamic women cover their head and body ? Is it  an obselete custome that needs to be changed ?
132202
The veil or hijab is commanded by Allah to all creation who follow his laws of human creation, this is to save our beauty or pruda for only or husbands as there source of comfort and ease not for every tom dick and harry to stare and oggle at ,to prevent on man from having desire for anothers wife,daughter ect.. Its about modesty a long lost unfortunate topic that women today dare not practice,its funny how a woman in a hijab will turn more heads with disgust than a scantly clad girl with her butt and breast hanging out in a public place.  Says alot for the morality of mankind(not anymor)today.
465258
There is no obsession with female chastity in Islam. True you are to remain a virgin till you are married but that is for men and women. There are several reasons for this, but Islam is not the only religion that promotes staying a virgin till marriage. And as for walking several paces behind there husbands this is a cultural thing, I bet the people you see doing it are either Indian or Pakistani Muslims (not that im saying all are like that ). I walk with my husband taking his arm or holding his hand. I'm a British Muslim, and my husband is an Arab. There are many women out there oppressed and in abusive marriages, that aren't aloud to leave the house without there husband, who are beaten, who are prisoners in there own homes and they are not of any religious denomination at all.  So yes you are wrong to link them to Islamic culture, but they do occur in Islam just like in christian, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and atheist homes and men who are bullies and women oppressors come from all walks of life, all religions, all countries, all cultures. In Islam women are repected and treated like gold by there husbands, in our homes its the husbands islamic dutie to help 50/50. I for one have never felt more safe and respected. Full face veils are worn by choice there is nothing in Islam that says you have to cover your face and the small percentage of women who do, do so by choice, they do it for God not there husbands.
254753
I think it originally had something to do with women being able to control their impulses but men not being able to.  Therefore as the rational of the two sexes, they were required and expected to cover up since the males wouldn't be able to control themselves otherwise.\n\nThe quote above says they do it to avoid being molested - no woman should ever expect to be molested anyway - again them saying that man can't control himself.  \n\nCourse they are so used to women covering up, they probably can barely handle it when women are uncovered in private... that's not how the sexes were meant to interact in my opinion.\n\nI am not muslim, so someone who is might be able to answer it better, but I truly see it as a slap at men too... I mean - they can't control themselves or they simply aren't expected to?  Double standards.  I think Yooka below is also on the right track.  \n\nI think it really got blown out of proportion by extremists as in many countries the women are simply supposed to cover their heads... not necessarily their entire bodies.
133598
You need to find who the Mullah or Cleric was that thought that one up.  Like the great portion of Islamic "law" it's not supported in the Koran but was tacked on by some old nasty bearded guy sitting cross legged on the floor of his Madrass school after a long day of poisioning the minds of young boys with hatred.  He was bored, smoking on his hooka with nothing better to do than inflict more burdensome, nonsensincal rules on the unwitting.  Be reasonable... Do you seriously, SERIOUSLY think Allah cares if you, or any man or woman wears gold or not???  Get a life or change religions.\n\nThe idea that it helps differentiate males from females makes NO sense at all because, if you can't tell the difference and you are old enough to buy jewelry, you have much more serious issues than whether to wear gold or not.
347528
Moslem women that cover their head, even the bible says that all women should cover their head.\n\n1Corinthinians 11:3-6 it says "If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off, and it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head"
571823
I don't know how to write it in english anyway I'll tell u the purpose and why.\nits because in islam its forbidden to look at  women's bodies except for their husbands.\n\nsorry I couldn'y explain it all very well cause I can't get the right words in english any way can't you see that this way a succesful marraige is done cause a  man will love her for herself at first not her body and also  after she is married do u think that you want any one to look at your wife's body and beauty??if you have a sister you will let her wear apropraite clothes I think have you ever thought why is that??\nTo protect her
430346
As a Muslim women living in Egypt by choice I have to disagree with you dear sister. Not all Muslim countries are like you think. And what goes on here against women is not part of Islam. Sometimes for being in a Muslim country there is not much Islam.\n\nI love it there though and don't want to go back to the US, unfortunately do to paper work I have to. But I will not take off my veil to please others. I wore it in the states before I came to Egypt and will wear it when I go back. If they don't like it thats their problem. Your defending the freedom sis then why can't I wear the veil. \n\nI am not arguing with you sister, yes alot of SO CALLED Muslim countries have a lot of issues. But it's not Islam they are following.\n\nI do however agree that we should not pick at every little thing. I am the one to always let things go. I don't like to cause a scene when others are rude or ignorant to me. I leave them to be dealt with by God. But if I am cause harm I will go to the proper authorities and file a complaint. Or if I was refused service or was not helped I will file a complaint with management. Just because I am Muslim does not give them the right to do these things to me.\n\nIf the US and UK are going to preach freedom then why are so many trying to take it away from Muslims and Muslim women who choose to wear the veil. If they don't' like it then don't wear it.
379892
That is why these woman wear the veil - so men especially will not look at them so in that case its done its job.  I do however like you find it very offensive as this is not part of our culture and many of my ancestors fought and died so I and the majority of people in this country could enjoy our own culture and freedom. Perhaps we should make it law that this cannot be worn and if these people cannot abide by that law they could return to their own culture where it is law.
381681
Excellent question, wonder why they never thought of it themselves. Why do they need their women to be fully clothed from head to toe in burqa ?\n\nAnother Muslim scientist claims that the Islamic headdress HIJAB derives from sex rites. She claimed that the headscarf was first worn by priestesses in Sumer who were initiating young people into sex, without being prostitutes.\n\n\nhttp://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=6361
299007
The movie probably took place in some Muslim country. However, there are some religions, in which the extremely devout ones among them prohibit females to wear they're hair down, because they feel it attracts too much attention to the girl and infringes upon the rules of modesty.
250213
I think that if people are going to put a label on you because you are Muslim,,then why are the Nuns considered to be good and role models, and why is it that they are allowed to go around wt their head covered and it is acceptable. but yet a sa Muslim wears her head covered we are considered"oppressed,low self-esteem". \n I beleive that as a Muslim you should be looked at for who you are,,what good you do.\n I beleive that a person should meet and get to know a MUslim before they can "assume" anything about them!!!
35373
Hi! I'm from India. Here, as well as in some developed Islamic nations like Pakistan, Malaysia, UAE, Turkey etc. Muslim women have lots of freedom. We can pursue higher education and are consented in marriage issues. Although we can get out and roam but still the burkah is obligatory; and yes, even for the elite class ladies. If you do not follow purdah, they stick labels on you, the other women. Many college girls these days go out without it, wear make-up, and even try some western outfits! But suddenly some religious fanatics start making an issue of it, like they did when they blew Sania Mirza's(a tennis pro)case out of proportion for wearing a sports dress too skimpy and 'anti-Islamic'. Why don't they let us wear what we are comfortable in? Also, the divorce laws inflict great injustice upon us as even in today's India, any Muslim man can end his marriage by saying 'talaaq' thrice. Then there is polygamy( my sister's husband married another woman just for her family's money) and what not......! The conclusion? That Muslim women are still in shackles.....!
403660
It's not totally safe everywhere.  Maybe in the downtowns of big cities, but yesterday here two Muslim women were acousted in Afghanistan for not wearing veils and were hit with clubs by officials of that country wearing uniforms, despite a law that let's them not wear a veil and THIS WAS REPORTED BY MUSLIM WOMEN WHO WHERE THERE.\n\nYou will find that one here on Y/A, go check out the source of the question and see if it was reported accurately by Muslims!\n\nThe Guardian, an English Newspaper, reported how some women in parts of Iraq were hounded by men and told to wear a veil and told NOT to drive their own cars and told NOT to use cell phones in public.\n\nIslamics tell me this is a tribal thing, not and Islamic thing.\n\nSO, be careful where you go and make sure you have male escourts when going into strange areas.
482094
1.That not every single Muslim woman who wears the hijab is subservient to men. Sure there are Muslim men who twist the words of God to fit their evil thinking, but that's in all religions. So why should I be the poster child for how bad/backward/silly/claustrophobic others think Islam and the hijab are?\n\n2. Muslims are not commanded to hate and kill the so-called infidels! I'm so sick and tired of hearing that bs. I mean if that's the truth then I would have to hate my mother and her family! \nCome on people! Read the Qu'ran with open eyes and hearts. Chapter 109: The Disbelievers\n1.Say: O! Disbelievers!\n2. I worship not that which you worship,\n3. Nor will you worship that which I worship.\n4. And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.\n5. Nor will you worship that which I worship.\n6. To you be your religion, and to me my religion.\n\n3. Reading a translation of the Qu'ran is not the same as reading the Qu'ran in Arabic. Arabic is a hard language to translate and the Qu'ran is even harder. I mean even Arabs have a hard time with it. There are words in it that no one knows the meanings to except God. \nSo how can anyone who's read the abriged and translated version claim to have any understanding what's so ever? Qu'ranic scholars study for years to really understand it and even a lay-person such as myself will tell you that every single time i read it I pick up a new meaning. That's the eternal message and beauty of it- a new meaning each time; a new solution to a problem you didn't know you faced.\n\n4. A tafsir or an explanation of the Qu'ran would come in great for anyone who's reading the Qu'ran and just wants to go deeper. A tafsir explains each of the 6000+ verses in detail. It explains the hows, whens, whys, and wheres of each verse. \nAdditionally it not only includes Muslim explanations of the verses, but Jewish as well. (Especially concerning Moses (PBUH)).\n\n5. When I discuss Islam's message with people, they always tell me how my God doesn't have mercy or grace or any other characteristic attributable to a 'good god'. Instead He's all about violence and punishment and retribution. \nI wish those people read the 99 names of God. According to Muslim tradition God has given himself 99 names that are indictive of his characteristics and attributes. Trust me when I say, Muslims cry when hearing His names. I wish people could know them; then they'd know.
56441
I am a muslim man and I have seen most of the time it is the woman that insist on wearing hijab despite their husbands wish. Well, a muslim women can answer this question better.
274927
First of all let me tell you that i agree with you. But to clear things more, covering the hair for a Muslim woman is something that should be done exactly like Christian women are supposed to cover their hais, however, when you come to choice there are a lot of Muslim women whom do not cover their hair (they are still Muslims). As for what some governemts are doing to force women to cover their hair well i think its up to the government itself and whoever does not like it can leave the country (thats a choice)...
305790
Doh....The whole idea of me wearing my hijab is so that I attract less attention and men do not notice me!\n\nIn the Quran it states that you should gaze your eyes downwards when you see a women.\n\nWhy is it that most NON-Muslim men recognise that.\nAnd it is only Muslim men that act the idiot and start trying to flirt with girls in hijab!\n\nYou should be ashamed of yourself for looking at hijabi girls like that!