Notable Quote: giving in to the regime

This habit of pretending to give in to the regime created a certain moral laxity, a spiritual laziness in us all. You could see it in our male acquaintances who would say with a mocking expression, "Why make such a fuss over a piece of cloth?" Not understanding that first of all the veil was not just a piece of cloth; it had been invested with spiritual significance for many men and women, and besides, this was not how I felt about the piece of cloth in question, although I should have been free to express my feelings. This was about the freedom of choice. No regime, no figure of authority, had the right to tell a woman how to relate or not relate to God.

~ Azar Nafisi, Things I've Been Silent About