ahmadinezhad & Hejab

I only have a problem with the burka it seems so oppressive- many westerners wear head scarves in the winter, should they be forbidden to do so?

Any person who would encourage the female members in their family to expose themselves does not respect them..I dont wear full Hijab but I try to dress decently..the way people observe you is how you present yourself in this world. So Islam has very good principles and guidelines..but people tend to abuse it and take it to a level that is not asked by Allah..Allah never gave the permission to abuse woman and to oppress them.

I dont understand some men writing comments here...would you like your sister to walk around with her breasts out and her ass out and being insulted by other men..constantly being harrassed and teased? Middle east is very different then europe and america..yes woman should have a choice on whether they want to cover their head or not..but to wear decent attire is not bad..it shows that they are respectable woman.

بر پدر و مادر هرچی دروغگو لعنت.ولدزنای حرومزادبا اون رهبر جاکش بی همه چيزت.

I don't see why covering breasts should be compulsory either. But who decides what's modest and what it isn't? You? The Mullahs? Westerners?

From an alien/non-persian point of view, I'm always amazed at how many non-western peoples no longer wear their traditional forms of dress. Even Amhednejad is sporting a suit.

curious question:

was the "hijab" considered oppressive in prior eras? or is something "new" with the advent of the modern western world and its fashions?

peace.

That pint is if one wishes to cover her/his head, it should not be compulsory but rather a self-made choice.

what about covering your breasts?

Hijab is mainly for the head region. Other attires do cover the breast area just like in any civilized society. That being said, what about the breast? Are Iranian women seeking to walk around bare chest? No, they are demanding to have a "choice" to wear modesty rather than being "forced" to bury themselves in layers of clothing. If you want to cover you head and entire body, that's your prerogative and no one should take that right away from you, so is when you don't wish to cover your head.