Re: Couple of Questions
My 1 cent:
The instructions on women travelling should not just be blindly applied without thinking about the larger picture. Its not that we should try our best to restrict women from walking around alone, but that we should make an effort to improve our society to the level where it is safe for any individual to do so. That should be our focus. What I don't understand is, if its the GOAL of society (such as an islamic society) to protect its citizens; then will punishing a woman who does walk alone result in them protecting the society or the woman? It would be better that they used the "policekeepers" who are busy punishing such women to instead provide them with a service by being close to the vicinity in case of an emergency (and also to act as a repelent to the real problem: idiotic men).
Hence, it makes more sense that this instruction on women is not an instruction but a recommendation until the societal conditions change to allow greater freedom.
I doubt God wants a 17 year old boy to walk down dark alley's at 2am all alone.
This is first most about safety and it is highly dependent on where this is occuring.
Dark-alley at 2am: don't walk alone and try to avoid anyways ..men or women
Mall at 11pm (if open): risk is extremely low due to presence of security
This is all commen sense people..i dont see why we have to become so dogmatic about these things.