If the problem is one of identity the "burka" does not resolve things

We have seen the various reasons why Muslim women wear the "Muslim" veil. Some wear it as a marker for socio-economic differentiation as they do not need to work in the public sphere, others wear it in predominantly male gender settings, such as hospitals, when they are doctors themselves, and can develop work without a gender - this happens in some Arab countries of the patriarchal type; others, unfortunately are obliged by the male dominant families. The argument is always of it being a Muslim or Quranic reading. In fact, from the little we know of an illiterate society, and mainly from oral tradition, it is known that only the prostitutes used to wear it.

For me, the invisibility of the female body does not help a rather unequal society, both in the West or the East. In fact, in a world that looks for parity of gender and other inequalities, the body. In fact, full veiling does a disservice to women. However, my opinion is just an opinion and I am quite liberal about dressing or undressing the human body. If, however, a law is to be put in paper and practice, I am convinced that democracies should invite the interested peoples into discussion. I do not think that the French government has put its republican democratic ideals of "liberté, egalité, fraternité" in practice.

The Muslim Shia Ismaili tradition I follow considers the intellect as the basis of faith, which we aim to be as firm an freely orienting human life. My conclusion is thence, that the intelligent way forward for marking difference as Muslims should be through the acquisition of knowledge, through excellence in education, and merit among our social pairs. Of course, this is harder to do, and it is harder to make it visible. One can easily see the veil, but has much more to do to show intelligent views and expose informed knowledge. The latter endeavor stresses an identity that should compete across cultures, religions, genders. However, it is precisely that knowledge that will, in the long run, allow the visibility and equality in a larger society, without missing the sense of community, because, it will eventually reveal the beauty of the individual, male or female, for what they are, and not for what they wish to look like. Muslims should think about this too.

*A Salaam means peace