By the same token, I find myself bothered when I see women wearing burqas in the U.S., England, etc. Especially on college campuses… it seems contrary to basic western cultural values, which presumably is part of what attracted them here. For that reason, it seems slightly hostile (even if not their intent) - and exactly how we would be viewed there if our women ambassadors were to refuse to wear a hijab during a visit to their country.
Apparently, you have forgotten that our western culture values freedom of religion and diversity and tolerance for those who do things differently. I have no problem with a woman wearing a burqa as long as she freely chose to do it.
Nonsense - there are many things that “bother” me, and that I view negatively, that I would not want to see banned. Heck, Christianity “bothers” me, but I would never suggest banning it. Both are protected by religious freedom, however kooky I might consider them, and I never would suggest disallowing either (except for adjustments in certain security-related situations, such as boarding a plane or taking a final exam).
Having said that, I still feel that it is somewhat insulting to wear a burqa on a college campus. Colleges are supposed to be about opening oneself, sharing, critical thinking… closing oneself off from all direct interaction, especially since it is just one gender doing it (and one gender with whom they cannot interact), seems anathema to a basic tenant of higher education. I’m not proposing any policy, just sharing my impression. Perhaps my view will change over time, although that usually requires some sort of discourse, and it is difficult for such discourse to occur since I’m a man and their religion doesn’t allow them to interact with me (which also seems anathema to higher education).
A hijab, however, is nowhere near that. I have had many students who wear a hijab, and I have yet to observe any sign of religious oppression, or stifling of discourse therein.