Veil this MOFO

Some women see the veil as simply "a piece of cloth" whereas others view it as social status and respect. Some of the more feminist women in the middle east view the veil as nothing more than an idea which with or without it the women are still treated differently than men. The purdah and veil is a sign of restriction, according to the author. It is used to seclude women and "It expresses men's status, power, wealth and manliness", says Nadia Abu Zahra, an Egyptian anthropologist. Some women however wear the headdress for respect for themselves and their beliefs. They feel like it is a way to empower themselves towards men and say "Hands Off!" This is a tradition that may seem uncustomary to westerners but I don't really see the harm unless the woman is force to wear this.