Similarly, the burqah can manifest itself as a security concern in some situations, in which case it would have to be removed for security reasons. However, in the context of Egypt banning it - there is no security concern whatsoever. It is a university that has allowed the burqah for several centuries, and burqah-clad terrorists are not roaming around freely around al-Azhar, so this is a clear abuse of the leeway and is an abuse to those who wish to practice Islam as per their understanding.
It seems to me that a lot of non-Quranic customs in Islam were simply pragmatic compromises with contemporary Arabic culture and may not be relevant in the modern world. The obvious example is the 'four witnesses' requirement for a rape case. But coming back to the topic, the security angle I mentioned is not just about terrorism, but simple, everyday face recognition.
Store cameras in banks, or even convenience stores, are useless if the person is covering their face. This is also a problem for driver's license and passport photos. Anything that hides the face is simply not compatible with modern society, even in Muslim countries.
Islam is not just a religion, it is a complete way of life and provides guidance for every aspect of daily living. It is important to preserve culture and tradition, but Islam must also adapt with the times, or it will force people to chose between religion and the world, and will lose its relevance. This is especially important for the increasing numbers of Muslims, born and converts, living as minorities in non-Muslim societies.
That, religion is a matter of choice, is a convenient myth.
Nobody's taking refuge behind anything.
Most of us stick to the religion into which we are born but, as adults, we caliberate our degree of adherence to its tenets. The face covering is an optional tenet in Islam and many women chose to abide by it of their own volition. This fact may not suit your simplistic view of the "oppressed Muslim woman", but the reality is far more complicated than the media stereotype. In fact, some of the most ardent hijab wearers are Western converts to Islam.
Who gives the ammunition to 'establish stereotypes'?
What kind of assinine statement is that?
By your logic, Bernie Madoff justifies the stereotype of Jews as money-grubbing swindlers, and OJ Simpson justifies stereotypes of blacks as criminals.
A stereotype takes the actions of a few individuals to make a sweeping generalization about an entire group. The Western media has perpetuated this stereotype as part of its deliberate campaign to demonize all Muslims and Islam.
has been sitting like Jabba the Hutt on Egypt's beck for the last "30" years no less, 
