Their pattern of thinking has always been gender-bias, as if the women are perpetually discriminated in the men-dominated world. Does this amount to the "seige" mentality?
The inability to free oneself from this "seige" mentality will lead one to view everybody, or certain groups of people or views, as potentially discriminatory. Perhaps, it is also a sign of a closing of minds ~ refusing to accept certain opinions unless they are of their own. Willingness to tolerate other people's divergent opinions is a scace commodity nowadays.
Women have to free themselves from this gender-bias thinking.
Gender-discriminating incidents, if any, are usually products of culture, not of religion. As such, the focus should be on the culture. Issues like headscarfs and veils are usually raised as bogey issues to reflect the culturally gender-biased issues.
In the final analysis, it shall be one's own decision of submission. If one chooses not to wear veil or headscarf, then it is one's own choice. There should be no regulation to that effect.
Permissiveness? Perhaps; but then again, it is a question of education and explanation; not of a societal pressure to conform to wearing veils. What it means is that while there should not be any societal pressure, education (da'wah) must continue so that one would be informed of the benefits and risks. If one still insists on refusing headscarf, then it would be their informed decision. In such instance, it would be their own responsibilities. It should not be imposed.
But if the reluctance to wear veils or headscarf is tantamount for them to flaunt their flesh in the public, causing untold "miseries" to others and encroach other fair-minded people's public space, then some form of morality regulation must be enforced.
In this case, the regulation would be fairer to all.
Gombak, 17 June 2005
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