I live in and around very Muslim areas in South East Asia and the burqa (face covering) is virtually never seen except on those visiting from areas like Saudi Arabia. It is not part of the religion as so many insist but something that was brought on by certain Imam and areas. In areas such as Saudi Arabia women are not allowed out without being accompanied by a male relative and only (sort of) received approval to drive a car recently. There were not many cars when Islam came into being almost 2,000 years ago so it just might be that the rule of females cannot drive was a recent one. This is more about control than it is about religion and a country has the same right to rebuke these rules if it is considered to be for the good and safety of the majority. Behind that mask it could be a man or woman for all we know and they could be hiding for a reason. I am not allowed to wear any kind of a mask when entering a bank, for instance, so in the name of equality no one should be allowed to.