Just how is the average Joe to know what devout muslim women wear under their hijabs etc.?

I will be interested to read about the muslim life and faith in future articles.

Ross, Birmingham, UK

excuse to rape? i dont think so, but ofcourse doing certain things,behaving in a certain way, and wearing certain clothes can infact lure in the sick rapists.
i really doubt a rapist would target a women in a hijab , rather than the girl with the short skirt,low top.
cmon deal with it.

chloe hinshaw, london, england

Muslim woman oppressed? Action based on intention not outside burqas/sexy etc.. I envy Muslim woman given more freedom . While we pray Friday prayers, our women allowed to sleep & shop! As father, asked to give more e.g. gifts to daugther than son, must obey mum 1st then dad. More eg Peace. Luv UK

Salam, BSB, Brunei

A lot of this applies equally if you're Jewish - its not exclusively a Muslim issue.

Rachel, London,

Islam is incompatible with European culture. Nearly 40% of Muslims in Britain approve of murder for religious ie Islamic reasons.
reply:
oh okay so your forgot to mention death penaltys in the usa.and other countrys in the world.countrys with religious law or not.

susanna tyler, scotland, scotland

iv been thinking and this is funny, with all the media, magazines, tv programs, beauty products etc. i think WE are the ones been oppressed, feeling the desperation to loose weight,be an ideal, look a certain way, all this dangerous obssession.and in away the main aim is to appeal to men.very ironic

elizabeth townson, leeds, england

Regarding the first comment about what Eve would wear if she were still alive. If Eve was still alive, there would be no sin in the world and she and Adam and presumably all their descendants born in pain free child birth would be naked.

Christine Murdoch, Lochwinnoch,

islam is not compatible with western life style and democracy.you don´t have to look far to see the problem.honour killing,stoning,flogging and the rest of it are not tolerated in the west and if muslims are not happy with that they can live in a country that they are more aligned with.

ebbi , valencia, spain

I agree with Priscilla. Many young women in England dress in provocative and sometimes distasteful ways, often to fit in with peers or to invite male attention. Maybe they're even looking to get lucky. That's their business. Their clothes can in no way be an excuse for rape. That line is VERY clear.

Lucy, Midlands, England

I wonder, with all the people here arguing that covering the face is offensive, do you also have a problem with women wearing sunglasses in public? Are they too oppressed victims of patriarchy?

Hannah, London,

Why do muslim men not also wear burkas ? Would this not prevent women from seeing men ?

dave, london,

In response to Tim's comment, I'd say its better to look out of a "letter box" than to wear a skirt the size of one and have people misjudge you as a result. We live in a society where women (unfortunately) are not judged for who they are but for what they look like - isnt that shallow minded!?

Imran, Beds.,

Meera A woman wearing a full face veil is spitting on the graves of our dearly loved soldier sons and on the grief of the parents.What about the rights of those people and respect for them? It is as rude to us as a woman wearing not much in the middle of Mecca would be to you.We are at war.

Adam, London, UK

*tess*
Tim is right...plus our soldiers should'nt even be in their countries... It has nothing to do with us how one wants to live there life... Wearing a bikini in mecca...why dont you try it???

Steph, Bedfordshire, UK

Britain is home to British muslims as much as it is to British Christians, both should be allowed to follow their religion as long as it does not affect anyone else. a woman covering up should not affect anyone and it is no one elses business.

meera, sydney,

" Tim "London It is Arab culture and the Wahabists which is being heavily pushed by Saudi Arabia. Covering the face in this way while our soldiers are being killed by those who wish to impose face covering goes beyond insensitive. It rude and borders on the treasonous.Ill wear a bikini in Mecca??

Tess, Dorchester, UK

Some very dubious ideas in this article.It seems mixed up and comes across as narrow and in a quiet way bigoted.If people of other religions come to live here thats totally acceptable to me,Britain has a reputation for tolerance and understanding.But behave yourselves please.

Robert Boyd, Derby, UK

Learn the religion a woman does not have to cover her face it is culture in Muslim countries not religion. I tought educated people come on this site not BNP supporter's shame on you racist's...

Tim, London, United Kingdom

"Jodie" Don't be ridiculous . Men are responsible for what they do not what girls wear. Your mindset reminds me of the Imam who spoke of "uncovered meat".Nor is sex the evil in society that male violence and sense of entitlement is.

Ursula, Cheltenham, UK

I believe in people's freedom to wear what they want. However the man who cannot look at a woman in a pair of jeans without being incited to rape is a sick deviant, immature man, and should be locked up and treated by doctors, not indulged.To assume this is true of all men is disrespectful to men.

Priscilla, n,

The Muslim Brotherhood is against a law to prevent FGM in Egypt. Very high numbers of women have been harmed there and Somalia and are then not going to able to enjoy marital intimacy. Also large numbers of children are out of order. We are over populated here in the UK and so is the world.

Dawn, York, UK

Ideally it shoud be a 'choice' for a woman to wear a burqa. But the majority of burqa wearers I have seen are little girls still attending primary school! Did they 'choose' to wear it? I think that decision was made for them.

Suj, London,

What I would say to everyone coming to live in our country is: When in Rome do as the Romans do, or else go back where you came from.

Angela, Tameside, England

If you have got it, flaunt it. Fat , ugly, women should and most often do stay covered up. That is a good thing. If you want to look out of a letter box that`s ok too as long as you take it off when certain people need to see your face i.e. education/security etc.

Tim, london, uk

Reading some of these comments - you people make me sick. She WANTS to wear a veil - she isn't harming anyone so WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM!! In hijaab, a women gets seen for her personality. What is more modest? You show your private parts and wonder why men "are only interested in one thing"?! And it's not CULTURE - it is a religious act. Stop confusing the two!

Ibrahim, London,

After 9-11 a Saudi prince was interviewed by the BBC. He said that "Islam and democracy cannot live toghether". A male dominated, archaic society will never change and religion is a tool to control the people, especially the poor. I ask myself why do they come to the west if they hate us?

Andrea, Palermo, Italy

if women in this society were more modest, (forget veil, just a bit more modesty would do) would there be so many people having affairs? would there be so many family break ups? flaunt your body and there will be trouble. Too much flesh on show in this society causes too many problems

Jodie, kent, U.K

lol,I'm sorry, but you're too damn funny(oh goodness! I said damn :S am I in trouble now?) ok so my point is that everyone here is missing the point. I say if a man, woman, child, transgender, alien species, whatever wants to wear a veil they should be able to, period. who are you to choose for them

Sadaf Din, Florida, USA

Perhaps this young lady might like to consider helping her SISTERS in Afghanistan, where the 'deeply religious' Taliban have burned down 180 schools for girls. Or she could console the families of the 5 teenage girls buried alive in (muslim) Pakistan for wanting to CHOSE their own husbands.
Peace.

J. Barry, Berlin, Germany

The idea that women must cover up to stop men from raping them is sick. I have heard several Muslim men give me this explanation, and it is childish at best and frightening at worst.

Chiara, Chico, CA, United States

I always find the most misguided Muslims are people who converted to the faith from another religion, like this writer. I was on holiday at an outdoor activity centre last year and there were women in burquas and hijab unable to participate in anything because of their cumbersome religious garb.

Linda, Fife,

You need to go and live your dream within a Muslim country devoid of the protection of being a UK citizen. Its time to come out of your Ivory tower and start living the life, instead of living a lie. You remind me of the Marxists who live in the West who should move to N.Korea for a reality check.

john smith, London, UK

The objective of wearing the hijab is to fullfill the syaria' requirement and avoid sexual harrasment on muslim women (to save our muslim women's dignity).men,lets imagine the sexy women and the wearing veils in front of you,which one do you passionate with?who will be save from raped or harrasment?

Khairi, Gong Pauh, Malaysia

Why attend parties in beaded dresses but only with women? Is that really what Muslim women want? Is that what Islamic men want?

PAtricia Coghlan, Quincy, MA, USZA

I've seen halal slaughter but halal romance is a strange concept.
In Western society, masks are worn only by criminals. You should not expect us to accomodate your culture's values.

Guy Macher, Wheatley Ontario, Canada

1. Well. First and foremost, the discussion here revolves around whether the veil (face covering) and the hijab (head and body cover) is appropriate to be worn in the western world. so lets not complicate issues by introducing arguments whether muslim women are forced into wearing it.

Sam, birmingham,

To answer the question in the first comment, if Eve was around today, would I advise her to wear a burka? I would simply point to what the Qur'an already states, to lower her gaze & guard her modesty and cover her ornaments of beauty except what appears naturally thereof. Eve could interpret that.

Junaid, Bradford, UK

The Burqa in western countries, is now rightly ofrwrongly associated with extreme Islam, and therefore those who propogate terrorism. To make it easier for her and us, given her views, time to move nearer Mecca and live her dream.

IanC, TORONTO, CANADA

The 'culture' of face hiding came about because of the uncontrolled lustful thoughts of men. So, it is suppression, even if it frees the women from the thoughts of the male mind.

Women should be freed from coverings though mans change in conscience towards Godly driven thoughts. He needs Jesus !

Carol, Midlands, UK

In this country covering the face is rude and aggressive. This is our culture and should be respected. Covering the face is a custom of the desert Arab and need not be generalized around the world. It is not done so by many devout Muslim women . God made women to be human beings with minds .

Suzanna, Doncaster, UK

There is no way any child should be allowed to cover in school or any person should be served in a public building with their face covered.Someones extreme religious views should inconvenience them not our security. At the airport surely an enclosed female staffed booth could be maintained.

Andrew, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Matteo

I have been left in the car while my husband runs inside to get something! I am sure everyone has as a matter of fact I left my husband in the car while I ran into Mc Donalds to grab a bite to eat. And Guess what It was very hot my parents do the same and they are christian so what

Sarah, London, England

Ibo - indeed, Hirsi Ali's books are very interesting, and I believe mainly accurate.
I accept reasonable religious tolerance.. BUT i was ANGRY when stripped of shoes, coat, hat, belt, watch, etc for airport security and watched 2 TOTaLLY veiled persons pass through unharried!!!

S.Bowmer, Rothbury, u.k.

People should look out for the muslim women during their holidays in France or Spain, where it is not uncommon to see them left in swelteringly hot cars whilst their husbands & sons go into the services to eat, drink & go to the toilet.

Matteo, Devon, UK

A privileged life in a democratic country, enjoying the protection of its judicial system, is not quite the same for those millions of muslim women in Iran, Pakistan and the Arab countries. Being stoned, beaten or executed for transgressions, is different than getting a parking ticket in Chelsea.

Garonne, Agen, France

Take a look at google video 'submission', made by Hirsi Ali, for another Muslim woman's view of conservative Islam. It quotes the Quran extensively and comes from a woman born and bred Muslim. Different viewpoint entirely.

Ibo, Dalston, UK

The ugliest clothing in the world = Hijab & Burka.

Their invention is an insult to god, as is FGM, the Muslims constant 'interference' in his design & gifts makes a mockery of their faith.

They are slaves to manmade diktats , denying ,covering,the most beautiful design of all, the human form.

maggie millington, brittany, france

Wow, some of the ignorant comments on here are sad. Most Muslim women I've talked to who wear hijab would wear hijab regardless of their country's laws. There are quite a few hypocrites on here complaining about Islam's 'no tolerance', but don't respect Western Muslims' rights to wear what they want

Khalisa, Washington, DC, USA

It's a pity that the author is comfortable with her life, and seemingly unconcerned about how the lives of so many muslim women is one of at best a second class citizen, and at worst that of a slave or mere chattel.

And burqa a choice? I guess those in the middle east disagree vehemently with that.

drew, Los Angeles, USA

The UK a "christian democracy"? No. I didn't vote for any religion. There are plenty of religions you can choose to believe in but they all follow the rhythm of life: Evolution. They will change, like the cultures from which they emanate. Religion and the state are separated in the secular UK. Good!

Michael Patterson, Birmingham, UK

Muslim women have to cover up so they do not inflame Muslim men causing even rape. But in the Middle East, it is the women who are stoned to death so women cover up for self-protection. Originally though it was also for protection from the sun and sand to try and keep looking young.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Thomas: we live in a society that appreciates cultural relativism. There is a need to conform, there are freedoms valued by this culture which don't appear to align with your own.
We came over to this country to labour, and prospered, our freedoms are a sacrifice to UK's transgressions abroad.

Chan Dhillon, London,

I have no problem with this person believing what she wishes. However, I think it would be easier for her (& everyone else) if she moved to a country where she fit in better...Saudi Arabia.

K. Tyson, Alabama, USA

Ms Robert is not anything like the average Muslim woman in Britain who are overwhelmingly either Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Arab or Turkish-born (or children of) .

Islam is incompatible with European culture. Nearly 40% of Muslims in Britain approve of murder for religious ie Islamic reasons.

Marco Borg, London , United Kingdom

Jim-True, we too believe that the Jews (as a nation) were first to believe, but the religion has always been Islam, i.e. submission to God. Moses & Jesus were both sent by God to their people, then Muhammad was sent to confirm them and give the same message to all mankind to worship the 1 true God

Wali, Bath, UK

With regards to Muslims do believe in Adam & Eve and the comment on the Virgin Mary's dress, I think it is the other way around since the Jews knew God first and set an example for Christian and Muslim women who followed afterwards in the proper way to dress, in my opinion.

Jim Williamson, Strong, USA

Muslims do believe in Adam and Eve, but we don't believe that Eve committed the sin, it was Adam who first took the fruit.
Anyway, you are a Christian, and it surprises me you haven't noticed how the Virgin Mary looks like a Muslim Woman (covered and with a head scarf) in all your pictures. :)

wali, bath, uk

I can go along with this, a choice of what to wear, where and when you go, a choice of what to eat and drink (sweet and sour pork etc with a nice bottle of wine) and a choice of what to believe in. Sounds fun.

m wilson, bidache, france

I just think it's marvellous that she lives in a country where she is allowed to wear what she wants... where she can think what she wants without having to hide in fear.. We are a very tolerant society, aren't we??

kirk, Rotherham, UK

This is a Christian democracy not a secular one

Sarah, Devizes, UK

"That would have to be her choice, just as it is the choice of most Muslim who wear the burqa. You need to understand that it's a choice thing, not an 'advise' or 'force' thing.
<br/>
<br/>river, Lagos, Nigeria&quot;
<br/>
<br/>Hello Friend,
<br/>
<br/>Thank you very much for the explanation. Have a nice day!
<br/>

Philip, Nr. Haywards Heath, England

If one looks at 14th-15th century paintings from medieval Europe to see that most women then wore a hijab-like scarf, most men wore headgear, caps, robes - I like the hijab, niqab and burqa: worn with style these traditional Islamic garments have a simple elegance our modern clothes completely lack.

Nigel Jackson, Manchester, UK

Many People Do Not Like People Wearing The burka Here They Find It Offensive,I Have Nothing Against Muslims Living Here But Remeber his Is Britian Not Te Middle East,Try Hard To Fit In With Our Culture,If Not Why Live Here.

Thomas, surbiton, uk

That would have to be her choice, just as it is the choice of most Muslim who wear the burqa. You need to understand that it's a choice thing, not an 'advise' or 'force' thing.

river, Lagos, Nigeria

As a Christian I, like Muslims presumably, believe in Adam and Eve and that they were expelled from The Garden Of Eden. - if "hypothetically-speaking" Eve were alive today (of course due to sin she is no longer), would you advise her to wear a burka?

Philip, Nr. Haywards Heath, England