i was discussing this with my girlfriend the other day while we were out to dinner... apparently nowhere in the koran does it say that they have to wear the veils, just dress modestly, and most women in indonesia (where she's from - which also happens to be the most heavily populated muslim country in the world i'm told) most women would just wear a head scarf if anything so I get the impression this is more of an arabic thing. the reason stated by Deano is apparently correct though... seems a little arrogant to me that they all think they're so hot that no man could possibly control himself in their presence if he could see them.