Lift the Veil of Secrecy

Lift the Veil of Secrecy

I believe in Freedom, Freedom for all. But I also believe that there are traditions and ways that people think that are contradictory to one another. That is where compromise comes in. Every good citizen who believes in Freedom must also believe in and be able to compromise. And when compromises are made, they must be supported, no matter how difficult it is to accept. If you cannot believe in and accept compromise, then you cannot live in a free society.

In our society covering one's face, except when you are outside in cold weather, is what bandits do. When you wear a scarf and come in from the cold, you take it off to expose your face. It is impolite to hide your face while interacting with another person. Many Muslim women believe that their religion requires covering of their faces.

I would never ask that the Muslim world change their beliefs in this matter, even though I think that it belittles women and maintains male dominance in their society. But when they are in a society where covering the face is considered negatively, they might consider compromise. Their leaders might consider finding ways to ease religious tension by loosening these rules for all concerned. Besides there are many Muslims who do not wear veils.

Understanding and politeness require that those who do not want women wearing their veils accept the right of those who want to. And it is also necessary that those who wear veils in a society where it is not accepted realize that they may fall under suspicion. Sorry.

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