Naomi - you think it odd that I don't join in? I have in fact done so from time to time - however, the whole point of AB is that people join in if they want to. There are times when the argument is such that I can't be doing with it - and I don't have to justify to anyone which threads or not I choose to contribute to!
I have lived and worked closely with Muslim people and in faith communities and my perspective is from my own experience and study. Why is it odd that I don't choose to join in a heated discussion? - argument is not how I would choose to spend my leisure hours, but I chose to join this one because people refer to "burqa" when I don't think that's what they mean, burqa-wearers are relatively few in number in the UK.
b) Your comment about listening to a PC holiday guide is wrong and I am glad to give the option that it might be. I won't deny we had an informed guide on one occasion, if only to avoid being battered in the souks, and he was informative, but he was not our only source of information. This was our first visit to Morocco but one of many experiences of living in the Muslim environment over many years.
I understand from your posts on this and many threads that you have experience in and feel strongly about this subject, and I usually find your input informed and interesting - allow me the same, please, but understand also that I don't intend to get drawn into the regular debates.