I'm not gonna be too detailed about this because it's pretty pointless. I usually don't like 'beating the dead horse'.
These are just some of my observations:
a) a majority of people in western societies suffer from islamaphobia whether they know it or not. And dont even front, its pretty evident reading some of the posts on here.
b) the media gives a very skewed image of Islam.. Biased on both sides.. Islam is NOT a religion of peace NOR is a religion of terrorism.
c) a majority of muslims in the east and west have no idea what their own religion is about. They're either born into progressive modern families and generally tend to take that role as well, or into more traditional fundamental families and tend to follow that as well.
.. now on to this particular topic.
I agree for the most part with what SOFI said that, Muslims have more religious freedoms in the west than they do in their own country. I know many Muslims will try do deny that.. but it's true... and if anyone wants to call me out on that, be my guest.. prepare to be schooled.
Muslim countries today are oppressing their citizens (muslim and non muslim) and are not giving them the proper individual rights and freedom in accordance to western standards nor in accordance to Shari'ah law
Now with that said.. The west is supposedly the land of the free. I do not see the harm in a woman wanting to cover her face. Although according to Islam covering the face is NOT required... covering the head is. BUT if a woman would like to cover her face, and she has not been coerced into doing it. Then why exactly is it an issue. Dont say to ID her cuz there's tons of alternative ways to do it. Dont say it helps interrogation, cuz you can use a female interrogator.
And the article stating that "it threatens the dignity of a woman" is just a ridiculous statement. Given that the woman was not pressured or coerced into doing it. No educated Muslim man should coerce a woman into wearing the burqa anyways since it is not a requirement. But there's always the ignorant right? If a woman herself decides to cover herself I cant do nothing but respect that, cuz thats her OWN choice... (if its her own choice)
Ignorance within Islam is poisonous, and the ignorance and media led psychological warfare against the religion doesn't help the image much either.
Yes! And compare them to Muslim countries.
I remember reading that 3/4 of muslim men beat their wives daily because of some stupid reasons (for example if she doesn't want to take in the ass but I guess this would be one of these bigger reasons).
I'd be interested to see the study that you got that from