I am a european male. Many people in europe find the covering of the face in public offensive. That is why laws are being past to outlaw the practise. In other parts of the world people have customs, and there are accepted ways of doing things. For example if I go to worship in a Christian church there is no need for me to take my shoes off and wash my feet before I enter. However if I wanted to visit a mosque to pray, I would be expected to do so. I have no problem with this as I am only too happy to respect the customs and traditions of the muslim faith when visiting one of its places of worship. Can you understand how frustrating and disapointing it is for many people in europe, when people from the Middle East and are unwilling to show a similar respect for our ways.

I find it insulting that you refer to "absolutely stupid rules", when countries try to protect themselves from the lack of respect that certain people have for their ways. You could argue with me about the rights or wrongs of head covering in europe or the middle east. That is not the issue. The issue is one of respect for the culture, traditions and sensitivities of different peoples.

Muslim women are not denied the right to practise Islam. The covering of the face in public has nothing to do with Islam. To connect the two is a dis-service to your faith. Are you telling me that the millions of Muslim women in Indonesia, Malaysia, India and many other countries, who do not cover their faces or even their heads are unislamic?
Your quote "I wore a complete face covering for 8 years and I did it to protect myself." So you didn't do it for Islam?