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Very well said!
I really dont think that this woman has the choice for herself. its her religion that opresses and confines her in my opinion. i guesas i was cut out of the segment but i asked her if it is really her choice to wear it when thos values have been instilled in her from when she was small like she told me. just like in a christian houshold i was raised and taught not to dress and act a certain way and you carry that with you cause you think itsd right, not so much cause you have the choice. i consider myself a spiritual person not a religious one and relgion is a big form of control. The thing that bothered me she said that struck me was that she said that she feared she was getting too much independence and she started wearing it to curb that so to speak. i find that opressive really and not a healthy way of thinking. why is this only worn by the women and not the men?
Hey N.B.! I remember you from the other day. It was a pleasure speaking to you and I thought I had really answered all your questions, but I guess not.
My family didn't teach me to wear niqaab, instead they taught me to believe in one God and taught me how to liberate myself from blindly following or be in obedience to everything else in this world. It's those values that my niqaab represent.
it was a pleasure speaking to you as well.but how are you not blindly following or liberating yourself i dont understand. but if your religion teaches you this, do you really have a choice then? i dont want to offend anyone but it seems like a lot of religion is based on what men tell women what to do.
i still would like to know why only the women have to cover themselves and the men can be more independent and free thinking?
Mashallah! If you could get even one person to look beyond the typical sterio-type, then its a job well done.
Freedome of choice!
Great questions. Great answers. Very informative. Niqaabis all around thank you for your intiative.
Dear N.B.,
It looks as if you are bringing a concept of another religion to the religion of Islam.
Islam is a religion that is chosen by God. The laws of God are for both men and women, and men or women do not have the authority to make laws. Islam does not measure women according to what a man can do, women have their own rights in Islam and men have their own. The men did not tell the women to dress a certain way. The Muslim women and MEN dress according to the laws of God and not their own whims and desires. Men also have to dress a certain way in their obedience to the laws of God. Check out how my husband is dressed in the video. Thought I'll clarify that misconception first.
Secondly, I chose to follow Islam and to submit myself to the worship of One God. Obeying God, associating no one with Him and to seek His Pleasure is the choice I made. Don't you think the Lord who created us knows what is best for us? Wearing niqab is just a part of it :)
Hope that answers your questions.
Hey N.B.
If you leave your contact info, I can fwd you a link about men and women in Islam.
N.B. - I don't think anything any Muslim will tell you to explain the Niqaab will convince you of it's importance in the Islamic faith and of those who choose to practice it. It is similar to how Orthodox Muslim women will never understand the need for women in the West to roam around essentially half naked in public places. These Muslim women who choose to wear a niqaab can equally argue that western women are blindly following the trends, looks and fashion that men are setting up for them.
The point is, people can most certaintly not like the Niqaab, but they do not have the right to impose their views on the Muslim women who choose to wear it, question their integrity and their motive to wear it.
mashallah
she have to be proud of her self..
Hi there N.B.!
I wanted to address the issue of why women have to cover themselves. Have you ever questioned why women are always used in commercials, promoting things that have nothing to do with them, such as cars, cat food, bikes, etc? They always pick the most attractive women to "sell" the products and this to me is a more oppressive way of living as it's indeed the men who tell the women how to dress, how thin they should be, what they should do to their skins, how to apply makeup, the list goes on and on.
Islam has given women protection from becoming objects of sexual desire from the eyes of men. They cover themselves so they won't be oggled, when was the last time a man was subjected to harrassment? :)
I hope this makes a little bit more clear to you!
It is not the religion that tells us what to do but God. If that premise is not accepted then every junction becomes moot by indefinitely varying opinions. (How can this belief be established? Observe the content and linguistics of Arabic in the Qur'an.) Once that belief is established many things are hardly blind following, e.g. for women wearing a jilbab, i.e. cloth covering your head and chest is a fairly explicit command. Nothing in life is mandatory, as a human you can choose whether to feed yourself or not, i.e. you always have a choice. Wearing a hijab or niqab can be liberating in this day and age in that it may not be an easy decision to make considering what the world around us is like, i.e. not hijabi/niqabi, and that when the decision is made the strangeness you might undergo is so worth it. ... you find it's not really that strange at all, the fruits of which while one could write about at length really are very much personal and in these cases even have their outward contributions.
That said, how does niqab restrict women from being independent and free-thinking? Her participating in this "Ask Me Anything" thing, her being a student, her working, are these not all signs of an independent, free-thinking woman? Her being Muslim, donning a niqab, and so on has neither abstracted nor subtracted from this and if anything has aided in tending to her roles and responsibilities which includes enjoying life.
As for men in the Qur'an we are given similar commands in regards to modesty immediately before the women (lower the gaze), yes women get the added commands of covering but this isn't an issue of superiority of men over women or oppression. Rather it is an issue of balance (justice) and more importantly... respect. I could also add men are visual creatures, we are told to grow out our beards (which generally speaking is less attractive), but what's principal is to follow what is pleasing to God and avoid what is displeasing to God (which is outlined by the character and the examples set in the life of Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him)).
In regards to learning about Islam one really has to abandon what they thought they knew about religion, it really keeps you from developing a proper understanding of it. That was definitely the case for me (and I come from a Muslim family/background). It's a bit unfair, for example, to think we were raised with these beliefs or that it's a man-dominating-women system. I hardly know anyone who was raised under the aegis of Islamic scholarship and, more importantly, character. In fact it was precisely because I was raised around varying degrees and forms of hypocrisy (children sense this subconsciously I guess and you can imagine how teens might abuse this) of Muslims and Christians alike that I stayed away from religion and persistently misunderstood Islam. If it were a religion in which men only told women what to do then 2 things come to mind: 1. who then tells the men what to do and one what basis/authority?, 2. Society would crumble (and we see this happen in areas in which women's voices are lost, communication is broken, the vault of respect is bankrupt, these are not Islamic even if in Muslim areas). In Islam we take the significance of each individual with their talents, strengths, nature as premise and everyone works together for the greater good individually, as a family, as a community, collectively.
No offense taken. And I apologize similarly if I came as cross or anything like that that wasn't my intention. I also apologize for the lengthiness of the response. Always working on brevity & concision >_
N.B., your questions are ones that are asked many times. I hope I can help a bit.
Number 1: The religion teaches ALL to be modest in speech, actions and, of course, clothes. There are certain body parts that women cannot show to strangers in public AND there are certain parts MEN are forbidden to show as well. The niqaab is just one of the most logical ways to comply.
As to why women have to cover more of themselves than men do, to be honest, women have a lot more things physically that make them attractive to men when compared to the number of things men have that make them attractive to women.
Number 2: You are liberated from the laws of mankind when you wear the niqab.
How? You are following what God has told you to do so it is a form of obeying the One who created you.
Number 3: Liberated for many people tends to mean wearing less clothes than you've seen in the segment. But who gets more pleasure out of that?
Women get to feel "sexy", "hot", etc. and that is when they are most confident. But why? Who enjoys women looking hot or sexy the most? Men, correct? So a woman is taught to feel her best when she feels most attractive tot he opposite gender.
So we are taught that attracting a man correlates to how good you feel. In this sense, you are not really liberated because your are still subjecting yourself to men.
When wearing the niqaab, you liberate yourself because you don't choose your clothing by what is going to make you feel the most "hot" to that guy down the street, you choose your clothing as to what will most please your Lord who created men and women and who knows the urges men get when they see a woman dressed a certain way.
Also, it protects you because in Islam, women are precious and are ALL believed to be beautiful. If you have a diamond, would you let just anyone see it's shine and glory or would you protect it until someone you really trust shows they are worthy of seeing it? The latter, right?
If men were the ones who told the women what to do, wouldn't they wish to make it a rule to wear less clothing so that they could enjoy the women?
Number 4: Niqaab also serves as a reminder for men. For example, Muslim men know the reasons behind niqaab so if a Muslim man, especially in Western society, is subjected to a woman who is dressed provocatively in the street, he will be inclined to look because that is his nature. If a woman in niqaab is next to pass, she can be a reminder for him to remember his Lord and he would go back to remembering the One who truly matters.
Number 5: It can protect from physical harm because if a rapist, for example, sees a woman in a short or tight shirt and he sees a woman in niqaab, who is he most likely going to go for? He already SEES the first woman's beauty and the second one only leaves him guessing or she just may have too many clothes on for him to want to deal with.
I hope I clarified some things for you N.B.
Thanks again.
1) In Islam, God isnt a man. In fact, he's not human at all. He's the Creator of humans.
2) Question: why is it ok for the Virgin Mary to be covered up, but if a Muslim is covered even with JUST the headscarf, it's considered oppression?
3) the material on our heads and/or our faces doesnt stop us from thinking and acting freely. It doesn't limit our brain power or anything.
4)She has the freedom to choose to wear a garabage bag on her head if she wants. If she CHOOSES to wear niqab, then good for her.
5) People say to be uncovered is to be "liberated and free", but is it? You always have to worry about how you look and what society thinks, you always have men disrespecting you and your body(and im talking from what i observe, not an opinion). Women today arent "liberated." Their men put them in their panties and stick them up on posters on the street for perverts to drool over. They have no self confidenc. The only way they feel beautiful is if theyre covering themselves head to toe in makeup, fake hair, fake lashes, fake breasts, botox, etc. etc.
men just don't like the fact that we're covered, whether with hijab or niqab, because then they're FORCED to deal with us on an intellectual level, and not by the shape, size, or softness of our butts or boobs. It's not on display for you.
And its a CHOICE because she could choose not to wear it. I know many girls and have many muslim friends who decided not to cover. I also know some who used to, and now dont. I ALSO know some that didnt and now do.
So why is it so acceptable to walk around half naked, but its considered unacceptable to want to cover yourself? Why can't people just let hijabies and niqabies cover up in peace qwithout being judged.
P.s. men also adress code but not a lot of them choose to go and find out what it is. And that's between them and God. They'll be asked about that on the day of jugement, so the other muslim's job it to advise them and let them know.
btw, im talking from a hijab's point of view. I know what it's lilke to be covered, and i could very easily take it off, but i dont want to. And im a normal person. I have friends who i chill with, go to school, draw, etc. I'm not some wierd alien or a woman that doesn't have a mind of her own. I just wish more people would start to see pass the material and realize that instead of assuming things. And I should have the freedom to wear what i want, just like pepople have the freedom to not wear what they dont want.
But really, why is it so WRONG to want to cover? Why do people think of covering up to be so...bad? Why is it that if you're wearing revealing clothes, people are cool with you, but when you decide to cover up, all of a sudden you're weird? It's not fair.
You took it in the wrong way - she was believing she was becoming, as it is said in the West, 'loose'. That is what was meant. In reality, she gained more independence by being allowed to wear what she wanted and to practice her religion in the way that she and her religion feels fit.
Anonymous, why do you treat the hijab and the niqab as if they're the same thing? If I wore a hoodie with the hood pulled up I would be covering the same amount of skin as a hijabi, but a niqab is very different. You also seem to stereotype western women/non-hijabis as all having fake breasts, botox, etc. First of all, I've seen women with niqabs wearing more make-up than my elementary school lunch lady, and I don't think it serves your purpose to stereotype all non-hijabis as (and i'm just summarizing) bimbos. Yes some women dress like that, but could it be possible that you see what you want to see and ignore all the women who dress modestly?
And why do you believe women should be punished for men's inappropriate thoughts? God will judge them for their thoughts, I can't imagine He would judge a woman because her *face* caused a man's impure thoughts.
I have absolutely no qualms with the hijab, but the niqab is something different. The niqab is not from Islam and most scholars trace its roots back to the Persians (pre-Islamic) or the Byzantines. The Niqab began as a way for upper-class women to show that they were better than the lower-class women. Hiding your face from the World has nothing to do with Islam and is not mandated. When you go to the Ka'aba, you're not even allowed to wear niqab because you would be hiding your face from God! I can understand wearing the niqab in a potentially dangerous situation like walking through a parking lot at night when you don't want to draw any attention to yourself... but when you are among colleagues? among friends and co-workers? These are people you trust and expect trust from in return. Hiding your face says that you don't respect them enough to let them see your lips moving when you speak. I think it is distracting to speak to a person when you cannot see their mouths, and so men can speak freely with one another, but women's mouths are hidden and thier voices are muffled. The niqab becomes a barrier -literally and symbolically.
I understand and respect the niqab as a personal choice, but from a practical standpoint it also poses a threat to women's freedom. There is a reason that Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world requiring women to cover. They don't believe women are equal to men, so out of sight, out of mind. Women are second-class citizens and the niqab makes women invisible.
I've read about many women feeling relieved at the anonymity of the niqab. However, I've also noticed that these women are almost without fail, NOT from Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. These women enjoy the freedom women have in other countries, while simultaneously enjoying their new found anonymity. Women around the world have struggled and continue to struggle against the view that women should be invisible, and while a few niqab-wearers will not change the progress we've made, I cannot imagine women in Afghanistan and Saudi making much progress until they can speak with men face-to-face as equals.
As long as men speak to me face-to-face, I will return the respect. I don't want to fear men's eyes any more than I want to fear the eyes of conservative muslimas who think I'm wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt to impress men. Maybe cairo is really hot in the summer. Maybe I actually want to wear a short-sleeved shirt for my own comfort and not for anyone else's.
The hijab and niqab are as different as a hat and a ski-mask. So please stop acting like logical arguments for the hijab simultaneously justify the niqab.
PS 'Any' said "If you have a diamond, would you let just anyone see it's shine and glory or would you protect it until someone you really trust shows they are worthy of seeing it? The latter, right?"
So please explain to me why so many rich Saudi women cover their abayas in diamonds? Men can look at your diamonds and your monetary wealth but not the face God gave you?
I agree with Fareeda.
I am a Muslim woman from Egyptian background and I would never ever wear a Niqab. At some point in my life I will choose to wear a hijab and appropriate clothing. I just don't like the concept of the Niqab. I am a human being, women are human beings, and to have someone tell me that I need to cover my face, my identity, ..that is hurtful.
And the niqab is starting to become popular with people who do crimes..especially men who hide under it or prostitutes.
And I have the feeling that Muslim women are always blamed in society of a man's wrong doing. I live in the U.S and I am 21 years old and ALL of the Muslim men I know are sleeping around, and then they suddenly decide to get religious and marry a virgin woman..isn't that against a Tafsir?
And this is why I am not close to Islam, I am NOT going to save myself and sleep with a man who married just to cure his disgusting past. I'd rather DIE a virgin, and it's why I am going to stay in college for as long as I can and get a stressful job and be busy.
Muslims mix in garbage culture with Islam. Some Muslims even go out of their way and do female circumcision on their daughters, which was a practice in my family.
And you are making it sound as if the Niqab is way better than the hijab! A woman can wear a regular Abya and Hijab and that is fine. If men cannot handle the fact that there are women around, well maybe they should isolate themselves from us as well. I'm tired of the idea that Muslim women have to be submissive around men and give them their way.
- dalya
My my... are all these comments for me?
I got so happy to see all these comments, but looks like there is an internal debate going on here...
A request to the people posting, I appreciate your time and thoughts, but please stick to the topic :)
@Fareeda: "The niqab is not from Islam and most scholars trace its roots back to the Persians (pre-Islamic) or the Byzantines. The Niqab began as a way for upper-class women to show that they were better than the lower-class women."
If you would like to ignore the Quraanic texts about Niqab and ignore how the wives of the believers and daughters dressed during the time of the Prophet saw, which is explicitly mentioned in the hadeeth, then you can say it's not from Islam which you follow now. I stick to the traditional, orthodox Islam as practiced by the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them.
Re: your question abt wearing niqab at Hajj:
If women are not allowed to wear niqab during Hajj, wouldn't that mean they are required to wear it otherwise to NOT wear it at Hajj?? D'uh!
Alhamdulillah, not only do you worship god as you see fit but you also educate those who do not know and understand. Seeing this short program made me very happy and very proud. I wish you and your family a good life in Canada.
Sufyan, Sweden.
wow this was cool.
its so ironic, people only question Muslim women about niqab and hijab and they think that they are opressed.
i ask you, why dont they question sikhs who wear turbans, or nuns who cover themselves ... whats up with that??
Alhamdulillahi rabbil 'Alameen.
Praise be to the Lord of the Worlds.
I am so ecstatic to see something positive and enlightening rather than something negative and incorrect!
N.B., if what you say is true then each and every human being is being 'forced' to follow the lifestyle they have chosen.
It is inevitable for us to be brought up in a certain family, a certain society, a certain way of life, but in the end those values that we are brought up with are who we are. So if Rabia here has chosen to put on the Niqaab, it was her personal choice, even if her parents/culture/society instilled the values in her that led her to make that choice in the first place.
I could say the same for your choice to not cover yourself in a similar fashion. You were brought up with certain values in your family, community and culture but in the end you made that choice to not wear the clothes your parents encouraged you to.
So if we take your definition of being 'forced' to adopt a certain lifestyle or clothing, then I could say easily that you were also forced into your decision to shun religion and adopt a more spiritual approach (although I disagree that religion is devoid of spirituality) by your culture/family/religion because that also influenced your decision in the end.
We are all influenced by our surroundings, but in the end we make our own decisions based on how those surroundings affect us.
Anonymous, why do you treat the hijab and the niqab as if they're the same thing? If I wore a hoodie with the hood pulled up I would be covering the same amount of skin as a hijabi, but a niqab is very different. You also seem to stereotype western women/non-hijabis as all having fake breasts, botox, etc. First of all, I've seen women with niqabs wearing more make-up than my elementary school lunch lady, and I don't think it serves your purpose to stereotype all non-hijabis as (and i'm just summarizing) bimbos. Yes some women dress like that, but could it be possible that you see what you want to see and ignore all the women who dress modestly?"
The women who wear the make up and adorn their jilbabs, abayas and hijabs with diamonds and shiny things are ALL defeating the purpose of the hijab and niqab so if those are your role models, they are flawed and I highly suggest that you find other women to emulate.
"And why do you believe women should be punished for men's inappropriate thoughts? God will judge them for their thoughts, I can't imagine He would judge a woman because her *face* caused a man's impure thoughts."
I don't know where you got this part from but if you were referring to what I said earlier, I think you misunderstood and implore you to go read it again carefully, Sr.
"I have absolutely no qualms with the hijab, but the niqab is something different. The niqab is not from Islam and most scholars trace its roots back to the Persians (pre-Islamic) or the Byzantines. The Niqab began as a way for upper-class women to show that they were better than the lower-class women. Hiding your face from the World has nothing to do with Islam and is not mandated. When you go to the Ka'aba, you're not even allowed to wear niqab because you would be hiding your face from God!"
Sr. Rabia got that one already.
"I can understand wearing the niqab in a potentially dangerous situation like walking through a parking lot at night when you don't want to draw any attention to yourself... but when you are among colleagues? among friends and co-workers? These are people you trust and expect trust from in return. Hiding your face says that you don't respect them enough to let them see your lips moving when you speak. I think it is distracting to speak to a person when you cannot see their mouths, and so men can speak freely with one another, but women's mouths are hidden and thier voices are muffled. The niqab becomes a barrier -literally and symbolically."
Firstly, you are not HIDING from them. You are keeping them from being distracted. It's a fact that men think about sex more than women do and so if you're talking to a man and he notices your lips or your eyes or etc. you don't know what inappropriate things he may be imagining and he would never tell you. It makes it easier on all parties to focus on the task at hand as opposed to anything else. And yes, you may argue that not all men are like that but the majority is and you never truly know who you're dealing with.
"I understand and respect the niqab as a personal choice, but from a practical standpoint it also poses a threat to women's freedom. There is a reason that Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world requiring women to cover. They don't believe women are equal to men, so out of sight, out of mind. Women are second-class citizens and the niqab makes women invisible."
In Saudia, you are not required by law to wear the niqab but it is the social norm so many women just do it. It doesn't make the women invisible, it just allows them to carry on their day without distractions.
In Afghanistan, that was the law by the Taliban but as you know, many people will twist the ideals of a religion to get what they want out of it and the way they were enforcing it was definitely not the most Islamic. And to my understanding, that's not the situation anymore either.
"I've read about many women feeling relieved at the anonymity of the niqab. However, I've also noticed that these women are almost without fail, NOT from Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. These women enjoy the freedom women have in other countries, while simultaneously enjoying their new found anonymity. Women around the world have struggled and continue to struggle against the view that women should be invisible, and while a few niqab-wearers will not change the progress we've made, I cannot imagine women in Afghanistan and Saudi making much progress until they can speak with men face-to-face as equals."
Each woman's struggle stems from a different reason and yet all are treated the same. That's kinda weird.
But what do you mean by equals? Do you mean being able to go out and get what she needs? Or being able to hang out with them? Or being able to serve in their government?
"As long as men speak to me face-to-face, I will return the respect. I don't want to fear men's eyes any more than I want to fear the eyes of conservative muslimas who think I'm wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt to impress men. Maybe cairo is really hot in the summer. Maybe I actually want to wear a short-sleeved shirt for my own comfort and not for anyone else's."
Jilbabs actually keep you cooler than a t-shirt...if you get a light fabric and color....just saying. And yes, your comfort may be a t-shirt but that may attract unwanted attention just as a women wearing a small bikini for her comfort may get a man staring at her who she doesn't want. Comfort is relative so using it as an excuse is really not a good way to go.
And this whole thing about respect...how about out of respect, a man does not gawk at a woman as she speaks? Isn't that the ultimate respect when a man can fight his nature just so that he may better listen to what you're saying? And how about if you keep your gaze down, do you think he'll have an easier time focusing on what he's saying?.........It's really simple.
"PS 'Any' said "If you have a diamond, would you let just anyone see it's shine and glory or would you protect it until someone you really trust shows they are worthy of seeing it? The latter, right? So please explain to me why so many rich Saudi women cover their abayas in diamonds? Men can look at your diamonds and your monetary wealth but not the face God gave you?"
Again, they defeat the purpose so here I believe we are in agreement.
"I am a Muslim woman from Egyptian background and I would never ever wear a Niqab. At some point in my life I will choose to wear a hijab and appropriate clothing. I just don't like the concept of the Niqab. I am a human being, women are human beings, and to have someone tell me that I need to cover my face, my identity, ..that is hurtful."
It's hurtful because you believe your physical body is your identity when our bodies are all really on loan from our Creator. We don't choose our physical bodies. The only thing that we actually choose is what is in our hearts and minds so that is our real identity.
Covering your body should not be as much a problem as someone saying that you are not allowed to think or feel a certain way.
"And the niqab is starting to become popular with people who do crimes..especially men who hide under it or prostitutes."
Does that mean every niqabi is a criminal in disguise?
So if the hijab were to become popular amongst criminals, you would never want to wear it? Or what about blue jeans? Or yellow jackets?
That's not a reason to dislike something, Sr.
"And I have the feeling that Muslim women are always blamed in society of a man's wrong doing. I live in the U.S and I am 21 years old and ALL of the Muslim men I know are sleeping around, and then they suddenly decide to get religious and marry a virgin woman..isn't that against a Tafsir?
And this is why I am not close to Islam, I am NOT going to save myself and sleep with a man who married just to cure his disgusting past. I'd rather DIE a virgin, and it's why I am going to stay in college for as long as I can and get a stressful job and be busy."
With all due respect ya Dalya, these are ALL the Muslim men you know but you do not know ALL the Muslim men in the country, yes? Of course there are the idiots as you described but does that mean every Muslim man in the world does these things? No, right? (In sha Allah, you find a husband who knows better.)
"Muslims mix in garbage culture with Islam. Some Muslims even go out of their way and do female circumcision on their daughters, which was a practice in my family."
Yea, that's true. Actually your first sentence here may have answered your last question.
"And you are making it sound as if the Niqab is way better than the hijab! A woman can wear a regular Abya and Hijab and that is fine. If men cannot handle the fact that there are women around, well maybe they should isolate themselves from us as well. I'm tired of the idea that Muslim women have to be submissive around men and give them their way."
If we were to give them their way, we would not be covered up. And I don't know about anyone else but to me, niqab is just another level of hijab. Hijab does not only mean the headscarf; it means overall modesty, inner and outer so niqab naturally fits in.
Jazakum Allah khair, Srs. Fareeda and Dalya for the discussion.
I am a Muslim woman and I wead niqaab. I have worn it for fifteen years. Muslim women cover because it is a protection from lustful eyes. We do not consider ourselves hiding but protecting ourselves. I became a Muslim because I saw the truth and purity in it. Our own soul know the truth, but we ignore it. Others are blinded from understaning Islam due to their own evil actions.
Islam is a beautiful religion and it is growing faster and faster everyday! Alhamdullilah !!!
"... it seems like a lot of religion is based on what men tell women what to do."
Bingo! It is not religion. There's nothing in the Quran that says women have to hide from the world, or be afraid of their own sexuality. The conflicting human instincts to cocoon and to explore have probably always been with us. Never fear - history shows our desire to be brave and go forth eventually prevails.
Your site is awesome, i read it constantly. Great work.
Thanks from sweden for this post
hi i really enjoyed your post and i will be sure to read through the rest of your blog... I really appreciate the way in which you look at this subject, looking at this in a new light as they say.
Interesting reading
medieval religions will fade away as education spreads. when will people smarten up?
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
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I support the Quebec government in requiring the lady to remove the niqab. Whether or not she is a prisoner of the face veil is not the issue. Her family has chosen to live in Canada and the natural order of things is to take Canadian citizenship, which requires that she and her family live according to the laws of our country. In the meantime, if they are not yet citizens, the rules of our land are the law.
When my family immigrated to Canada in the early fifties, my father made it clear that we would live as Canadians. We built our own church and supported each other in all our areas of expertise,(painters, builders, etc.) but church services were in English as well as Dutch and we were proud to take on the culture that we observed within our rural location. Keeping simple traditions such as meals, coffee time, or wearing wooden shoes around home did not affect any Canadian friend we made and those routines became blended with each visit we made to our new Canadian friends.
Anyone who chooses to live in a new country must understand and accept that the rules of that country are greater than any rules and laws they bring with them.
By living and working together as Canadians, under existing laws, we build a strong, diversified nation.
Hey
Hi Rabia
The Nikab in itself is not the problem, the problem is that when you ware the nikab, you are also telling everyone around you that you consider them as not to the level, that you will not even shake their hands without waring your gloves in some instances. Of course you forgot to say so.
And why the hijab is not enough to protect yourself from being too much independent. Did you really need to cover your face.
Hi Rabia
You are bringing the concept of your religion, why wouldn't we bring ours. Who says islam is chosen by God, you remind me of that saudi person who asked me if I read the Quran, and I did read it and I was working in Saudi Arabia for some time. He said if you speak arabic and read the Quran why aren't you muslim. Just because I read the Quran doesn't mean I should believe in it.
One more thing Hijab may be a must but not the Nikab as far as the highest religious authority (Egypt al Azhar top religious mufti) to the point he prohibited Nikab in Azhar)
And lastly, Like I said I read the Quran, did you read the Bible, Any line of it, even by curiosity.
Like you say it's a free country, nobody will punish you here for trying to.
To Maryam
The thing Maryam is that nuns represent christianity, the base upon which the western society is built or at least was, and openly welcomed all other people/religions.
While frankly everybody knows about how saudi arabia and afghanistan look like and how the Quran and Sharia laws treat non muslims and are afraid that a proliferation of islamic culture may come to bite them back. And everybody knows about Mr Kaddafi saying that The muslims in Europe will soon make it a muslim continent. Also they know how the Sharia will be imposed and non muslim will pay non muslim tax and so on.
I personally left my country because of this, not the hijab and nikab, but because I felt stranger in my own country.
And please don't tell me to stick to the subject because this is the real subject behind all this.
I'd really suggest that you jot down more frequently.
I like the blog, but could not find how to subscribe to receive the updates by email. Can you please let me know?
Ive only got 4 months still to go, before our first baby boy arrives. I can feel my nesting instincts start.
Im a muslim from south india. i have seen many muslim female professionals who doesnt wear a niqab but very modest. Unfortunately most burqa clad females cant even make it the college!
I agree with you 100% !