Again, another article examines the continued practice of veiling muslim women without pointing out the connection between those women who are fortunate enough to choose to wear the veil, and the millions of women around the world who have no choice in the matter. Because the author herself chose to wear a Hijab for a period of time, this is understandable. But I am still waiting for the article that highlights the moral dilemma inherently posed to free women who choose to honor and promote a system - currently in widespread use - which oppresses women elsewhere around the world.

All forms of veiling have the consequence of separating the veiled from open society. Where the practice is socially or legally required on punishment of death, this is most explicit. But as the author points out, in open societies, it too can be a way to draw a line between oneself and society at large. The only "openings" that veiling creates are those between women who have adopted the veil - thus creating a boundary between the small group and society. In the big picture, veiling is a defensive form of closing oneself off from at least part of the world, manifested physically.

The practice of veiling represents a violent and unfair agreement between the sexes. In exchange for not being mocked\outcast\assaulted\raped­\killed, women agree to live without certain rights and priveleges and wear a form of clothing which mutes their identity. Other societies have responded to gender issues by evolving into women's rights movements, and spreading the understanding that males need to simply control themselves. Veiling, in societal terms, represents a surrender of this issue by women, who as a group have resigned themselves to shelter themselves as a means to avoiding male violence, rather than take a stand against it.

Of course it is different in societies that have incorporated principles of equality between the sexes. The identity politics of veiling ("My choice to wear the veil represents my individualism") only works in countries where the practice is not the norm. Of course it makes one unique here, where veiling is a minority practice and can be a way to carve out one's own social niche. Only in a free society could veiling be used as a form of identity expression, rather than identity repression.

It is ethically irresponsible to import a practice which represents nothing less than physical oppression in most places, rebrand it as a matter of choice, and ignore the larger implications of the institution. But then again, it may not be so surprising. After all, that's what veiling is designed to do; keep the concerns of females out of sight and out of mind.