Why Women In Islam Wear Veils

The veil or hijab worn by the Muslim woman has always been a subject of controversy and debate. Many people see it as a symbol of the suppression of women in Islam. The media flashes pictures, and documentaries of women in Muslim countries with their stories of how their hijab or veil is preventing them from leading normal lives. Then there are stories of how the Taliban are forcing women in Afghanistan to wear the veil and to be locked up inside their homes. These kinds of news and documentaries only focus on the worst angles, when in reality the truth is different.
Most people think that wearing a veil is suppressing Muslim women, but very few can look at the real purpose of a veil. The highlight of muslim women is that they wear veils, which distinguishes them from not only the non-muslim women but also the non pious women. Now that does not mean that women who do not wear a veil are impious, and should not be misquoted.
Generally it is believed by most people that women are forced to wear veils. That is a common misconception. Muslim women choose to wear the veil, they cannot be forced by anyone.
There is no compulsion in Islam. And apart from being a symbol of a muslim woman, the veil or hijab as muslims call it has many purposes. For example it is a symbol of modesty, and acts as protection. A muslim women needs not worry about people staring at her and has no fear of being judged on the basis of her looks and physique. She can freely be a part of modern society while being protected by her veil or hijab. It is her choice and not forced upon her contrary to popular belief.
Apart from being a form of modest protection, the hijab has other benefits also. Many non muslim women are also beginning to find the benefits of wearing a veil. The veil acts as a protection from the harmful effects of enviromental pollution and ultra violet rays of the sun, protecting the skin and hair.
If you ever ask a muslim woman why she wears a veil or hijab, she will say that because she wants to. You will never find any muslim woman being forced to wear it. These kind of women earn a lot of respect in their respective environments and professions.
But many people are biased towards women wearing hijab. In many western countries, they are viewed as being outsiders who just migrated to the western world, even if they have been living there since they were born. Many such muslim women are targets of racial and religious discrimination.
Non-muslims, who interaction with such women have come to realize that they are not suppressed and that wearing a veil does not make them “weird” as compared to the rest of the general population. These are normal women with normal feelings and lives. There is nothing odd about them if they want to live a modest life.
These women should not be treated as aliens, infact they should be given the respect they truely deserve. Muslim women are an integral part of every society just as every other woman is.

source :http://khelbawy.com/