It's rich in hypocrisy that you maintain such hatred for Islam and yet work for Emirates in a Muslim country.  As pathetic as that is, your understanding of Islam is even more sad.  

The hijab is no more a "symbol of female oppression" as the head coverings worn by orthodox Jewish or Christian women.  Why is it any different?

And how exactly do you suggest that the author "deal with" the "attrocious medieval societies that produced it"?  Want to lend us your time machine?  Perhaps while we are there, we can also deal with the crusades, the holocaust and various other genocides committed in the names of other religions as well.