I think every religion has its own system of beliefs that are fervently defended. A case in point is the issue of wearing the veil in Islam. Muslims are not going to give up the wearing of the veil, since it protects women from showing their attractive appearances, except to their husbands. Strangers should not look at a woman’s attractive side; this is something that will never be given up by a Muslim. A controversy was raised in some European countries, which contradicted their democratic principles, when they trespassed the practice of freedom of religion and belief, and did not respect their claim that every human being has the right to wear whatever she/he wants in the way that suits his/her beliefs and religion. These same countries, which claim to be democratic and to support the freedom of women, disallow and discourage the wearing of the veil in their countries, at their universities and in their official places.

Terrorists use the veil to conceal themselves, since it is difficult to recognize whether the person who is wearing the veil is a man or a woman however for Muslims it is an aspect of strict belief and extremism. Terrorists have damaged the image of Islam worldwide, promoting it as an extremist religion that encourages violence, rejects negotiations and considers everybody else is on the wrong track. They have taken advantage of the veil to hide from security forces, since they are wanted by justice. Also, they have used the veil to carry out their dirty operations disguised as women, therefore, they will not be searched by the police, and this facilitates their way to reach their objectives. Due to this, some countries have taken a negative attitude, first towards Islam, and then towards the veil, and do not allow its use in their countries.

On one hand, European countries have breached human rights, individual rights and the rights to practice religion, which were stipulated by all the United Nation laws and regulations. On the other hand, Muslims should not be excessively extremists in insisting on wearing the veil. This is because what is a must in Islam is to wear the Hijab, and not the veil. Therefore, wearing the Hijab may save Islam from many problems, especially its use by terrorists, to facilitate their activity and the carrying out of their operations.

Lately we have noticed that some Arab countries, such as Egypt, have discouraged the wearing of the veil. A decision has been made by the Sheikh of Azhar University to disallow the entrance of a student wearing a veil to her course in the university. He sees this as exaggeration and mere extremism that has no valid ground to be justified by some Muslim women.

Women have been prevented from wearing the Niqab, which they wear because they want to, and it is not a symbol of terrorism or an act of sabotage. It exists among girls because they believe in it as a way of protecting themselves, their beauty and appearance. And that is implanted within many of the girls, and is not something negative or a bad thing. But unfortunately, we find that there are some European countries which ban some resident Muslim girls from wearing Hijabs. The first country to ban it is France, which opposes wearing the Hijab in an official way, defying all the Arab communities. Such resolutions are sectarian and racist; they indicate that these countries do not give freedom of religion, and this is contrary to the freedom and democracy they talk about night and day. That democracy is to be the home for all, as it pleases God, and it should give people the right to their religion, according to people’s beliefs. These European countries have to review the respectful treatment of Christians in our Arab-Muslim world, in which Christians have all the rights to practice their rituals freely, and without any intervention or prevention, such as that of some European countries. Though there were security concerns, as they claim, they may put a device to detect explosives in places which they believe are subject to explosions or targeting, to let all veiled women pass, including Muhajjabat, i.e. women who wear Hijabs. So there would be freedom for the Muslim girls who want to protect themselves in a strange society.

I swear it is unfair to prevent women from wearing the Niqab! This is their right.

Allah is our supporter! The nation that does not maintain virtue is a perishable nation! I wish they could learn from Shenouda who rejects the second marriage of a divorced, out of adherence to religion and the Bible. Where are the scholars of Islam? Are they preoccupied with grants?! Where are the brave protectors of this great religion?!

May Allah curse this regime and all the regimes that fight religion and ‏its rituals.