Thank you so much for this post! I guess you could say that I’m one of the “curious” Westerners who ask questions and have had conversations and heard similar perspectives to the ones you have voiced. I have considered all the benefits you have mentioned to wearing hijab – there are actually quite a few, aren’t there, and have really wanted to try it – but obviously wouldn’t because I feel like it would be disrespectful (although that wouldn’t be my intention) and it just wouldn’t work on a non-Islamic Westerner in the US. And then of course there are all the unfortunate downsides you have also brought to light, which I have also seen. You have also reminded me to go back to my own reflection on the focus (obsession) on women’s clothing…will be thinking about that all morning. Thanks again for this frank and personal post. I hope you will continue to add to it.