I refer to the article headlined, 'Ugly face of Islam', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on July 19. From the article, one gets the impression that the three Muslim women concerned have fallen victim to unreasonable, outdated rules and have been deprived of a basic human right to choose what to wear. This is just one of the innumerable instances in which Islam is misunderstood and demonised. I would like to explain the Islamic view on women's dress. Islam, as a way of life, gives direction to attire for both men and women. The dress code is part of the Shariah (Islamic law) ordained by God for mankind, so that human beings can lead a healthy, moral and happy lives. Decent clothes, like honesty, kindness, filial piety and other virtues, are conducive to a moral society. Both men and women should wear decent clothes. For women, it means covering their bodies, except hands and faces, with loose clothes. It is not surprising that some people find the Islamic dress code very strict. One may ask what harm will be done if a woman uncovers her hair or wears a figure-hugging dress. The point is it leads to men having lustful thoughts and if this is carried too far, it can lead to promiscuity, which, in turn, causes a host of social problems like AIDS, illegitimate children and broken families. The Islamic view is that human desires should not be given a free rein, but should be controlled within certain limits for the good of human beings. The approach is to nip evil in the bud. Thus the Shariah prescribes decent clothes for men and women. In Islam, women are much respected and enjoy many rights which were unknown to Western societies even as late as the last century. Women are regarded as men's partners and their dignity should be protected. They are not allowed to degenerate into beauty queens to be at the mercy of playboys. The dress code is one of the many measures in Islam designed to protect women's dignity. All Muslims should adhere to the Islamic dress code in the same way as they should obey the other rules of the Shariah. AIDA WONG SUK-TING Wan Chai