Society must be protected from the risks of the veil.

Some Muslim women who wear the veil have accused society of intolerance if it does not accommodate its use. The reality however is the reverse. Most liberal societies do tolerate it, but they also protect everyone else from being unnecessarily burdened by it.

The most important example of social protection is the necessary security restrictions. Whilst the veil must not be banned for the sake of liberty, its use must be restricted for public safety. So, for example, as a security concern veiled women must not allowed in post offices, security check points, or banks, etc. In fact anywhere that you are also not allowed to wear a balaclava or a motorcycle helmet. A perfect example of why it is important was in 2006 when a male terrorist fled the UK wearing a burka.

To give this deeper context, if my religion dictated that I did the opposite from completely covering up and instead I was commanded to walk stark naked everywhere, you would rightly expect protection from me. You would agree that society should restrict me from teaching your children in a school, using public transport, or picking up my shopping in Walmart unless I put my clothes back on.

My point is that, yes, in a free society you may enjoy your commitments to whatever beliefs, but if the manifestations of your beliefs cannot be reasonably absorbed into society without it effecting the rights, security, or moral decency of fellow citizens, then you must also take responsibility and not outrageously burden society with them.

So veil-up it if you want to, but don't force society to accommodate you with special privileges or put itself at risk.