To veil or not veil........

Many a time in life I came across religious bigots. Well, that is a very tough phrase to use as not all of them were aggressive. But they actually ignite the thought in me what is the role of religion in our life? I personally strongly believe that religion is the anchor that prevent us from drifting away. It is the breeze that soothes you after all exhaustion in life. Religion or the religious acts then should be performed with love and respect, not by being compelled by external forces. Recently I visited Masjid Putra, the famous mosque in Putrajaya in Malaysia where the staff members were managing the women tourist and according to the rule of the place made them hiring Burqah (long gown to cover from head to toe) to go inside the mosque. "You have to dress according to Islam if you want to go inside" they said. I completely agree with them as this is only to respect the religious custom and belief. It is well acknowledged even in my country also. All the European, Australian and other tourists were hiring the Burqah from the mosque counter and entering happily. But I as not happy when they forced us to hire Burqah, I found it quite rude as both me and my mom-in-law were dressed according to Islam; clad in clothe from head to toe. We, being Muslim ladies, offer our prayers in Sari which covers us totally. Isn't it a bit too much to force us to wear the veil to go inside? The man reasoned it up saying my trouser is not loose enough! Wow! I just remembered the Mullahs in my country. During my work as a reporter, one day even I covered my head subconsciously when some of them in front of Gulistan were yelling with a microphone 'ma bonera mathai kapor den"  ........

In this global world it is easy to focus on the paradox, I thought. here, in some parts of South Asian countries, we are being forced to wear Burqah  where as in France, Muslim women are not being allowed to wear veil! Even last week 4 Muslim supervisors were sacked for fasting during a summer camp. who knows when some small incidents like this ignites big troubles? Why can't we, the Ashraful Makhlukat become a little more tolerant?