^^
Actually, RebelCats, in the Middle East that is exactly what they tell you. If you are a woman working in predominately Muslim countries your company or organization will debrief you on exactly what clothing you must wear. In some Muslim countries, failure to cover your head is an invitation to be molested or groped in public areas. You can be kidnapped or arrested and have your head shaved if your head is uncovered during Ramadan or Ashura.
But in terms of Muslim women in burqas, etc. in the West, a surprising number of them actively choose this, even if husbands and other family members are liberal. The psychology is interesting.
Consider the case of this UK teacher:
The big cover-up | From the Observer | The Observer
Interesting quotes:
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Both as a student and a teacher, Chowdhury clearly placed her own right to conceal herself above the group's right to see her.
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In fact, the burqa, the grilled mask that is popular in Afghanistan, is a relatively modern item, but it's true that there is no mention of the hijab, much less the niqab in the Koran.
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The niqab is the mask that covers everything but the eyes, that Chowdhury chose to wear (as a teacher of communications, go figure). She felt that her right to wear it superseded her students' right to be fully understood by her.
In cases in which women CHOOSE to wear the niqab or burqa, in other words when it is not ordered by anyone else, then it is my personal opinion that it is nothing more than a radical fashion statement, done NOT to cause a woman to disappear, but to call attention to herself. Niqab is such a radical thing to wear over your face, that I think it has more in common with extreme facial piercings, facial tattoos or a purple mohawk than anything having to do with Islam.