Readers react to a DW report from behind a niqab

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

An unusual perspective: I wore a niqab for a day in a major German city

The reporter should carry her cultural comparisons further and drive around a city in Saudi Arabia in fashionable Western dress. She can record the reactions she receives from the locals and compare them to the ones she received in Germany. -- D. Brook, US

It was an interesting experiment but when it comes to free will, I wonder if Muslim women that live in a Muslim community, even in Germany, can actually choose not to wear a niqab. -- Elizabeth, Brazil

For such an advanced country (my birth place) it is a sad thing to see these things are going on. Europeans are supposed to be very civilized, democratic and tolerant people and preaching it to the whole world. I am ashamed of all of those who call themselves Europeans who display such double standards. Go and get educated and learn more about other people of the world that should open your restricted, cobwebbed minds. -- Andreas, Canada

I found this article fascinating and educational about our society. The whole idea of getting a German-speaking woman to walk around the city wearing a niqab is brilliant. I'm not surprised to read about the weird reaction of some people. It just shows how narrow-minded some people are in this civilized country. We live in a technologically developed country but sometimes I have the impression that people behave like they live in the Middle Ages. Maybe somebody will get educated from these experiments and start accepting other people and treating them humanly. -- Thembela, South Africa

I have wondered if the burqa was to protect the Muslim male from his sexual aggression by eliminating any evident sexuality. It would be interesting to have a psychiatrist analyze this aspect. The mythology is apparently to show the woman as devout. I guess devoted to her culture in exchange for security within the family, but then I am not really sure what the woman gets in exchange for her anonymity. -- Penny, US

If you're in a different country, you should be respecting their culture, not requiring them to respect yours. In addition, there is an objectionable undercurrent of subjugation with women wearing a niqab or burqa. If this is truly a misunderstanding, a strong rationale needs to be brought to bear to overcome this undercurrent. -- Keith, Canada

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Chuck Penfold