Muslim women don't have to wear veils: Queen Rania of Jordan

Islam does not require women to wear veils, Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan said in an interview published Friday, while calling on all Muslim moderates to "make their voices be heard."
"Islam neither requires one to be practising, nor to dress in one way or another," the stylish 36-year-old queen told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera during a visit to Rome. "So imposing the veil on a woman is contrary to the principles of Islam," said Queen Rania, who is in Rome for the launch of a Group of Seven program to develop vaccines against diseases that are endemic in poor countries. "Unfortunately, after all the suspicion weighing on Islam, many people have begun to consider the veil as a political problem, but this is not the case," she told Corriere. "Wearing the veil is a free personal choice."