[warda_mk23]

My Hindu friend says that Muslims torture their women by forcing them to wear hijab ? I tried to explain her that men look at women in a bad way if they expose and not cover themselves but this explanation is not enough for her ,she said in reply that what if a girl doesn't want to do hijab and still your religion forces her do so ,where is a woman's will and needs in your religion?
Also she has asked me that in India women are not allowed to enter mosque and every other religion allows women to pray and go to mosques ,I am from Pakistan and I use to go to mosque in Ramadan for taravih so I did tell my Hindu friend but its not allowed in India and moreover she asked if a Muslim girl goes to mosque ,why there are separate sections?

PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO ANSWER HER PROPERLY!
I love my religion ISLAM and tried to explain her about everything but I'm not satisfied with my limited explanation so I need your help!

[smoothy]

Islam doesn't force a woman to wear that... only Certain Muslims do. Many Muslims all over the world are not forced to wear it, or threatened bacause they don't or won't.

And men most places do look badly at those who DO wear it. Particularly those who wear the burqa. Either of those are a only a way to oppress women and deny them their freedom.

It should be up to the Woman if she wants to wear it or not. Not for someone else to intimidate her into doing it.

[jenniepepsi]

It is not forced. The ones who do force it, are not of Islam, as Allah would never condone a man doing such a thing. And Muslims are not the only religion to have men like this. There are always the 'bad ones' in every faith, race, ethnicity, origin, and upbringing.

Women CHOOSE to wear thir Hijab. There are many who believe it is required, but there are also just as many who believe Allah does NOT demand it.

Either way, no matter who believes what, it is a choice made by the woman.

[smoothy]

It is not forced. The ones who do force it, are not of Islam, as Allah would never condone a man doing such a thing. And Muslims are not the only religion to have men like this. There are always the 'bad ones' in each and every faith, race, ethnicity, origin, and upbringing.

Women CHOOSE to wear thir Hijab. There are many who believe it is required, but there are also just as many who believe Allah does NOT demand it.

Either way, no matter who believes what, it is a choice made by the woman.

And in many places they are beaten or worse if they "choose" not to.

I got my Information from several Afghan women I know well,an Iranian woman, and one Morroccan all of which left the oppression in their homelands. All of whom choose NOT to wear it where they don't have to fear persecution for their choice.

[Wondergirl]

Unfortunately, in the conservative branches/churches of some religions, men consider themselves the powerful ones and make the rules which women and children must obey.

For instance, my uncle and aunt belonged to a mainstream Christian denomination, but their particular section of it forbade women from wearing slacks; women had to wear dresses or skirts at all times, and even nightgowns for bed (otherwise, women were taking on the appearance of men).

Some religions say members cannot eat certain foods or that foods have to be prepared a certain way or blessed by a priest before they are eaten.

Even in the Hindu religion there are "rules" that must be followed. The dead are burnt not buried. The caste system, for instance, has variations on how strictly it is applied. No caste is to be higher or more important (superior) to another. All are to be equal and acknowledged as essential to the society. In daily life, that does not always appear to be the case.

Thus, mankind interprets and even twists how the beliefs of a religion are to be applied.