Unveiling the Veil
Source: www.messageonline.org
Topic: Muslim Fashion
Sort Desciption: However, its essential that we understand this (hijab) phenomenon before we pass judgment. Why do ... with teens on pract ically any matter in the West, let alone when it comes to dress or fashion.
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6 • February - March 04
the MESSAGE international
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ijab, the dress code of observant Muslim women, is coming under fire in Europe. Rightly or
wrongly, everyone seems to have an opinion. However, its essential that we understand this
(hijab) phenomenon before we pass judgment.
Why do some Muslim women wear this "contentious cloth"? The dominant western perception is that
hijab is a symbol of oppression, and that the Muslim women who wear it, do so either because they
succumb to the oppression inflicted on them by the Muslim men or because they want to make a
political statement in favor of "political Islam". It was thus no surprise that while debating hijab,
French politicians tried to justify their anti-hijab position by citing these arguments. They, however,
went further and invented a new theory that the headscarf creates barrier to Muslim womens integration
into the secular society. The solution, according to French politicians and intellectuals, is very
simple: ban headscarves in public institutions.
There is no denying that many a time, many over-zealous Muslim parents, husbands and some puritanical
Muslim governments have committed excesses in the name of applying proper dress code for
women. No conscientious person can support these acts. However, to suggest that this coercion is the
norm for hijab-clad women everywhere is absolutely wrong and unfounded. For, in the West (as well
as in the East), there are hundreds of thousands of well-educated, professional and independent
Muslim women who wear hijab. They are stating with no equivocation that their Islamic attire is
their choice. Its purely a personal decision, and it has nothing to do with any males desire. These
hijab-clad women are, also, asking a very legitimate question: If uncovering or being undressed can be
freedom, why not covering and conservative dressing when a ...
