"If a woman from Europe came to America to compete in a chess tournament, but demanded to play topless, would authorities allow it?
Europe isn't hung up on nudity the way we are. Similarly, Iran is hung up on women covering themselves. Non sequitur aside, isn't this the real question here?" A #21
a) Thank you for this insightfully made point.
b) I think your comparison / contrast isn't fully valid.
The hijab isn't to cover something near universally considered indecent, an issue of MORALITY. Instead it's a demonstration of piety, an issue of RELIGION.
In Islam, women are free to NOT wear the hijab, when at home with family.
But would you want your mother, your sister to strut around your house topless?
c) Therefore perhaps we ARE bound by the MORAL dictates of Rome, when in Rome.
BUT !!
Being coerced to comply with a RELIGIOUS expression for a religion the individual does not follow is an obvious conflict.
If I were a Jew I wouldn't want skin-heads wearing yamikas.
If I were a Catholic I wouldn't want Hindus wearing crucifixes.
So why would Muslims prefer an infidel wearing a hijab in their presence?