Great videos, hopefully more people will take the time to view them. Muslims are just like us, have similar wants and needs
Sure women cover up when they leave their homes, Saudi Women are expected to, and they actual prefer to. It has been their way of life for so long they would be horrified if they were told they were not allowed to cover up when they leave their homes. In some Muslim countries it is choice and surprising as it may seem to the western world, they often chose to veil in some way.
Apparently when the Afghani women were told they didn't have to wear the full all covering burqa they were afraid to go out without it, they felt exposed and kind of half dressed.
In Indonesia (the largest Muslim population in the world) some chose the full burqa, some chose just the hijab, some chose light chiffon style veiling/headcovers, some chose to wear a hat like covering where they tuck all their hair into the hat, some chose not to use any coverings. Personally I think the hijab framing a women's face can be very flattering, also to see 2 expressive eyes looking at you from the burqa as is worn in Saudi, is quite charming and mysterious
Having lived in Indonesia for 11 years I don't have any ambivilence towards the hijab/burqa. I would guess that least 95 to 98% of women chose to wear them.
The west just does not have any great understanding at all of this 'tradition'. Yet if you look back in history you will see that European and Celtic women wore shawls over their heads and wouldn't leave the house without their heads covered. It is not so long ago that Irish women also wore a shawl over their hair. Throughout history head coverings have been the norm not the exception.
Also in Middle eastern countries covering up in the heat protects them from the fierce sun. In Indonesia the same can be said there. Even those who don't use head coverings all the time on very hot days will wear long sleeves and pants and a light veil over their heads. It is actually quite sensible. I often threw a light chiffon shawl over my head when out in the sun. They are quite beautiful the head shawls, embroidered and have delicate fringing on the ends. I honestly believe too many westerners condemn without understanding. The ways of the west are not perfect and I am quite horrified at some of the so called fashion one sees these days. Also some of the TV programs are honestly quite revolting, Such as 'Wild On', that playboy one with those 3 dipsy blondes and so forth. They certainly do not give a good impression of America to the rest of the world ( sorry they are American programs and so impressions are made of a country by what is seen on TV and heard through the media) That is my point actually, what we are told by the media or are shown via various programs is not a true picture of a nation.
I am not Muslim, but have many dear friends who are, they love life just like we do and aspire to similar things, whether they wear, Hijab/burqa/veil or just western style clothes without covering.
Everyone wherever they may come from, believe in, must learn to be more understanding, tolerant and accepting.
Sure there will always be the scoffers, crazies, the bitter, the angry and those who believe their way is the only way and they come from all races/cultures and creeds. But we don't need to be one of them.