Islam does not require women to wear the hijab. It is Muslim males who can't keep a woman who want them covered up.

Living in the west, the hijab has become a potent indicator of identity with many non-Muslims viewing it as a political statement. However, it is pertinent to note that the hijab is, first and foremost, an act of worship that women engage in, and an act undertaken to seek the pleasure of one’s Lord.

The definition of a hijab is fiercely contested by many Muslims, and unfortunately most of those who engage in the topic are unaware that it is very much defined by Islamic law, the Sharia, and not cultural habits or one’s idea of what modesty is, or should be.

In discussing the hijab, Islamic jurists have stipulated a number of conditions for it to be a hijab in the Islamic sense. In brief, these conditions are that one’s clothing must cover the entire body in a way that the shape of the body is not apparent and the material must not be so thin that one can see through it. Clothing should not resemble that which is specific to men nor the disbelievers. It should not be attractive to men, nor should women be perfumed in public. The main aim of hijab is to stop fitnah; females who are attractive by nature attract the gaze of males which then leads to other greater sins such as fornication and adultery. Allah commanded women neither to display their adornment nor to display any form of behaviour that might attract the attention of men.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

To Iftikhar.

You've said that the Hijab is to keep women from being attractive, as an act of legal modesty. However outside of Islam the hijab is often seen as part of obedience to an oppressive religion against women. Or in conjuction to a violent religion in general. Enough news stories have shown women being killed by their brothers or their fathers because they were raped. Some news have show Islamic women trying to get an education and go to school, but instead get killed in the bus leading to the school. Other stories concern with a lack of respect and a lack of honor towards women. Even to not allow a woman to be employed on their own so to be able to be empowered at least that much. So do not be surprised if the hijab is not supported. It is seen as a continuation of oppression against women. Taking away even one more thing about them for them to be proud of in themselves.

Take this criticism and know the battle you have. Because it is not just about the hijab. It is about Islam actually being a religion of peace, instead of what it's becoming more and more known for. A religion of violence and bombings, and a religion of oppression and corruption.

If you can cause Islam to be peaceful then no one will care if the hijab is worn or not. Because it will not be known for the violence and oppression it is known for today. In the mean time understand that people have reasons to stand against even the hijab. And those are valid enough reasons to acknowledge.

Just as you can't wear a motor cycle helmet in your passport photo, you can't wear any kind of face covering, when visibility is required.

Religion, what a pathetic pursuit by man. Like all religions Islam is male dominated and controlled, as is Christianity, how many women have been Pope?

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nigel-barber/female-clergy_b_1738954.html

According to the Holy Quran, all children are born Muslims, it is their parents who make them Jew, Christian or others. This is one of the many reasons why now western peoples are reverting to Islam on their own free will. Through out the history, Muslims never forced non-Muslims to accept Islam. This is the main reason why Muslims lost Spain and India.

The beauty of Islam is that it is a religion which appeals to common sense. There is no blind belief or dogmatism in Islam. The fundamentals of Islam are simple, straightforward and easy to understand.

If Islam is so bad, then why is it the WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING RELIGION! It is also one of the youngest religions. However no matter how hard everyone tries to give Islam a bad name, it will be twice as more populated. So let’s get straight to the point yeah?, Basically Islam is the most hated religion I don’t know why hmm maybe because it is also the most fastest growing religion and 2nd largest but no one will be able to stop this religion from growing.

I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him – the wonderful man and in my opinion for from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.” [G.B. Shaw, THE GENUINE ISLAM, Vol. 1, No. 81936.]
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

[From: The Religion of Peace.com]...."The Quran contains at least 109 verses that speak of war with nonbelievers, usually on the basis of their status as non-Muslims. Some are quite graphic, with commands to chop off heads and fingers and kill infidels wherever they may be hiding. Muslims who do not join the fight are called 'hypocrites' and warned that Allah will send them to Hell if they do not join the slaughter."

When I think of a 'peaceful religion'. Is it Sufi, Shi'ite or Sunni we should all bow our heads to Iftikhar ?

Let's visit the UN for a moment: [from Wiki] The International Bill of Human Rights was the name given to UN General Assembly Resolution 217 (III) and two international treaties established by the United Nations. It consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted in 1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966) with its two Optional Protocols and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966). The two covenants entered into force in 1976, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified them.

Yes we'll all quietly wait for the day of domination while you breed us out of Christianity.

[From: Snopes] (Muslim Demographics)...the birthrates of Muslim women in Europe — and around the world — have been falling significantly for some time.Sharp reductions in fertility among Muslim immigrants reflect important cultural shifts, which include universal female education, rising living standards, the inculcation of local mores, and widespread availability of contraception. Broadly speaking, birthrates among immigrants tend to rise or fall to the local statistical norm within two generations.

The decline of Muslim birthrates is a global phenomenon. Most analysts have focused on the remarkably high proportion of people under age 25 in the Arab countries, which has inspired some crude forecasts about what this implies for the future. Yet recent UN data suggest that Arab birthrates are falling fast, and that the number of births among women under the age of 20 is dropping even more sharply.