<dropped this in speak easy because of what it connects to... better safe than sorry, ja?>

I keep stumbling across reports on the net that Muslim women aren't required to wear the veils and coverings by the Quran. Hitchens (the first journalist to get waterboarded) made the statement closing an article he posted online. Another article I read said this practice was around before Islam and just something that the theocrats adopted to fit their fundamentalist view across the middle east.

Does anyone have the texts that are supposed to require certain garments? And any evidence supporting and debunking that text? I'm finding comments about it all over, but I can't find anything that looks remotely researched... My google-fu is so weak. >_<

Maybe this may help a bit? Indoneasia is the largest Muslem Country in the World, I believe has a Population similar to USA and is at Australia's front door.

http://www.insideindonesia.org/content/view/16/29/

Just from the Australian side?

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/21/1037697806923.html

Like many things, opinions differ all over the World.

I live just down the road from a very large Muslem School here in Brisbane, and often chat with Teachers and children as they come past. Some are in full Muslem Dress whilst others are not, neither group seem unfriendly at any time.

My personal opinion is that clothes do not make a person, same as the colour of their skin or where they come from, or what their Religious Beliefs are, no matter from where they come from, many other things do. Main thing is how that person interacts with their Neighbours.

If you want specific text on this veil wearing custom as it pertains to Islam this site might help-
http://boards.history.com/category/Religion/3005

I think the Quran supports modest dressing. It is said there is only one Quran and no interpretations, however, I don't know if that would even be possible, once it was translated.