Controversy of Wearing Headscarves - Article Example

Headscarves HEADSCARVES Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 282824 22 March 2009 Table of Contents Introduction''''''''''''''''''''''3 The purpose of the hijab'''''''''''''''''.3 The ban in France'''''''''''''''''''...7 The hijab in Australia''''''''''''''''''.7 The clean and clear image''''''''''''''''..9 The covering of woman'''''''''''''''''..13 Conclusion''''''''''''''''''''''..14 Sources''''''''''''''''''''''''16 HEADSCARVES Introduction The hijab or headscarves worn by Muslim women has generated a controversy that has even scurried the law into the scenario in many countries in Europe and America. The understanding or misunderstanding of the issue is multifold and centers round the belief that the hijab is a religious symbol that cannot be enforced or practiced in work places and schools. However, the girls and women who wear the hijab claim it is their culture and religion. Can an issue of culture and religion become embroiled as human rights issue in schools and other public places' Can schools that play a major role in the lives of pupils determine the course of the latter's actions on issues pertaining to religion and culture' If yes, then to what extent' These questions become pertinent in view of the controversy regarding wearing of the hijab by female students in many schools across Europe today. The word hijab comes from the Arabic language for veil and is used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women. These scarves, regarded by many Muslims as a symbol of both religion and womanhood, come in a myriad of styles and colors. The type of hijab most commonly worn in the West is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear (Muslim Veils). The purpose of hijab A woman is judged by her appearance. The outward appearance provides the attitude, temperament and personality of the person. For this purpose, it is necessary to dress well. Now what is a dress' The dress is the covering for the body. To a woman, it includes the covering for the head as well. A well-worn hijab does uplift the charm of a woman. However, it is not the looks that matter at all. If anything, the hijab is concerned more about concealment of the head and the neck. The teachings of the Quran uphold modesty. However, in the present times in Europe the word "modesty" has become blurred with women enjoying clothes that quite often reveal more and conceal less. In European nations, women enjoy same rights as men. They have pubs. They can strip down to the bra and shorts in the beaches. In case there is any mismatch, the women in Europe can struggle for equal terms. Hence, when it comes to the issue of the hijab it seems strange to them that nobody is objecting. The reason nobody is objecting appears to be that nobody is forced to wear the hijab. It is simply the instructions of the Quran. The followers take the Quran seriously. As regards persona, it depends on the wearer what she wants the hijab to do to her persona. The hijab may make the woman wearing it appear more charming. However, the purpose of hijab is modesty. "Tell the faithful women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their scarf to cover their bosom" Quran, 24:31. In the present times, the hijab has been the focus of much criticism and controversy because of the way it has been viewed in western countries. The popular view in the western countries is that the hijab is a sign of religious oppression. The Muslim woman does not enjoy the type of freedom that her western counterpart does. Hence, the impression that the westerners appear to have is that woman elsewhere live in slavery. Contrary to this feeling, Muslim women, by and large, enjoy wearing the hijab and consider it a part of their religion and culture. This adherence to the hijab is mistaken for Islamic radicalism. This misinterpretation is the biggest hurdle to integration. It separates the law-abiding citizen and brackets her in a place meant for suspects. It is a sweeping separation and provides little by way of reprieve for the wearer. In some parts of Europe, the reservations over the scarves are strong enough for their restrictions in their usage in schools and public places. Jack Straw, the British cabinet minister, expressively stated his preference for Muslim women to not cover their faces when communicating with him. An article from the British Broadcasting Corporation explains that the Quran, Islam's holy book, tells Muslims to dress modestly. This has been interpreted to mean that male modesty requires men to cover the area between the navel and the knee. For women it is generally seen as covering everything except their face, hands and feet when in the presence of men they are not related to. This has led to a distinction between the hijab, which literally means "covering up" in Arabic, and niqab meaning "full veil". There have also been more liberal interpretations which say the headscarf is unnecessary, as long as women maintain the level of modesty mentioned in the Quran. The holy text addresses "the faithful women" who are told to shield their private parts and not to display their adornment "except what is apparent of it". Scholarly disputes revolve around what this last phrase means. Does it refer to the outer surface of a woman's garments, necessitating that she cover every part of her body, that is, does she have to don the full niqab' Or does it give an exemption referring to the face and the hands, as well as conventional female ornaments such as kohl, rings, bracelets and make-up' There are additional Quranic instructions that are seen as ambiguous and therefore much debated, such as those for women to draw the "khimar" (or scarf) to cover the "jayb" (or bosom/upper chest), and for "the wives and daughters of the Prophet and the women of the believers to draw their "jalabib" (or cloaks) close round them". Religious and cultural traditions vary across the Muslim world, stretching from Indonesia to Morocco. But it may also be left to the Muslim woman to decide for herself, whether she wants to cover up fully with the niqab, as an expression of her faith and Islamic identity, or not. In countries such as France and Turkey, where there are legal curbs on religious dress, it becomes a matter of women's human rights to wear what they want. But at the same time the niqab is such a powerful statement that more liberal Muslims sometimes can be heard objecting to it, especially in more developed societies, where women have fought long and hard to shake off restrictions seen as outdated and imposed by men. The ban in France The use of religious symbols and apparel in public schools were banned from 02 September 2004 in France. This ban includes all conspicuously religious dress and signs such as Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses. However, the ban has been particularly sore with the Muslim headscarves. The Muslims see it as an affront to their religion and culture. There are five million Muslims in France, forming around 5 percent of the full population. The ban has provoked criticism not only from orthodox Muslims but moderate sections of the population too. France is a secular nation. It is a place where people can freely practice and propagate any religion. The government does not interfere with any individual's beliefs. However, if there is the perception that behind a religious or cultural practice there are social or personal inducements or intimidations, the law steps in to curb such practices. The hijab does not appear to be creating problems for the women who don them. Many women wearing hijab do so because of their own preference and beliefs. Apart from the cultural and religious aspects, those who wear hijab feel it enhances their status as women (France's hijab ban). The hijab in Australia In Australia, young Muslim women are choosing to wear the hijab to show pride in their religion and encourage others to understand Islam rather than fear it. At a time when the veil has come under intense attack in Europe, Muslim women in Australia are taking up the practice in unprecedented numbers. The trend seems to be infectious and the demand for the hijab is showing an upward rise. Shops and internet sites selling the hijab have reported a spurt in sales in recent months. The recent shift in visibility of Muslim women in Australian society has also led to the introduction of a magazine aimed at young Muslim women, featuring fashion articles and cooking tips. There is the inclination among the youth to be more forthcoming and practical about their religion. They are using the hijab as the expression of their identity. They are proud of their religion. They want to talk about their religion with others. The Muslim youth are getting more emphatic and they are choosing to identify with their religion. Muslim women are taking a stand and asserting their identity in increasing numbers. The hijab is an expression of their identity. And they will follow the dictates of their holy text, the Quran. Some of them have been wearing the hijab for years together. Sometimes they are allowed to take to the hijab by their parents. For others, it may take a little longer to be convinced of the benefits of wearing one. There has been the case of a girl who had been wearing the hijab from adolescence. However, he younger sister took a while and did not wear one until she was well into her teens. They have the choice to wear the hijab or to not wear it. There is no force or coercion. Most young Muslim women choose to wear the hijab now. They are aware it is their culture and religion. And they wear the hijab not only because it is their culture and religion but also because they want to talk about it. They want to talk about it with Muslims and non-Muslims. They want to make it a habit of discussing religion constructively and without fear. There has been an increase in the demand for hijabs in the recent months. And the demand comes not only from Muslim women but their non-Muslim counterparts as well. The Australian example goes against a global trend. The Muslims see it as a healthy trend and are doing all they can to promote the issue through different media. A new magazine called Reflections, and on its second issue is the product of what its editors say is a desire to educate both Muslims and non-Muslim members of the community about the religion's beliefs and practices. The clean and clear image Today, people are more accustomed to seeing movie stars and models in revealing attires. It is so customary to have pictures of pop stars and DJs in revealing dresses that these have become the trend and are no more treated as contents for adult or private circulation. They are everywhere, they are common and they have become akin to "modesty." The actual concept of modesty is seen as a strange relic of another age. Even the word modesty is not well-known today. Yet it was not so long ago that perhaps our grandmothers came to this country wearing long dresses and covering their hair, and men would not go shirtless in public. The true sense of modesty has been consigned to the waste bins of the bygone eras and they are becoming dimmer and more distant from our view. Nowadays, it is the done thing to be promotional and seek self-satisfaction. It does not matter any longer if someone is set on self-aggrandizement even if he or she has to pay heavily for it. However, it does become a matter of concern if someone wants to pay a small prize to show her allegiance to modesty. All hell breaks loose over a trivial issue as the hijab. One fails to understand the reason for such an outcry. After all, what is modesty all about' In the case of woman, it is all about covering oneself. According to Random House, modesty is "freedom from vanity and boastfulness: regard for decency of behavior, speech and dress; simplicity and moderation." The Prophet Muhammad once said, "Every religion has its character and the character of Islam is modesty," and this has become a well-known saying among the world's 1.3 billion Muslims. The word for modesty in Arabic is "haya" and it references the area of dress for men and women, but it also refers to qualities of behavior and temperament just like in English. In dress, the parts of the body that must be covered, both in prayer and in public, differ for Muslim men and women. It is a common misconception in the West that this gendered difference of attire in Islam is a symbol of female oppression. On the contrary, it is a mark of womanly distinction and singularity. Women must be covered from the ankles to the neck and down to both wrists. In addition, a head covering called a "hijab" or "khimar" or simple "scarf" is worn. The face does not need to be covered. Clothes for both men and women should be loose and opaque. Any color and style are fine as long as the basic requirements of coverage are met. Modest dress is not unique to Islam. Other faith traditions practice it or contain references to it in their sacred texts. In most pictures, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is depicted as a veiled woman. A modern-day Christian woman and Nobel Prize winner, Mother Theresa, also wore the veil. The Catholic nuns wear the veil. The veil is also common among many religious sects. Hats and wigs are standard attire for Orthodox Jewish women, and many Jewish men still cover their heads with yarmulkes or skullcaps. For unknown reasons, the head scarf has become the symbol for reprehension and reservations. One fails to understand how wearing this innocuous head gear could prove detrimental in any respect. The western countries have assigned the head scarf meanings that simply does exist. Let us come to the point. Looking at the hijab, the west has begun to think in terms of extremism, oppression and inequality. A community cannot be taken to task for the ill-advised actions of a few. The west needs to apply its mind to the appreciation of the meanings and purposes behind certain practices that have to do with beliefs and culture. There cannot be a blanket ban on the hijab just because it happens to be an object of belief in the Islamic faith. The lack of appreciation for the meanings and purposes of objects from other traditions shows the west's own ignorance of Islam. This lack of appreciation of the diversity that Islam represents is exemplified by the recent law passed in France that bans the wearing of the head scarf along with Jewish skullcaps and large crosses in public schools and government offices. To a Muslim woman, the scarf serves the purpose of protecting her modesty. The scarf does not serve any other purpose. It cannot be equated with the symbol of any other faiths. Asking a Muslim woman to take off her scarf is similar to asking a Christian woman to take off her blouse. The French move to ban the hijab in the name of secularism is carrying the concept of secularism a little too far. It is difficult to strike a balance between modesty and education if the issue of the hijab is treated in such a grotesque fashion. By all accounts, the French ban on the hijab is a draconian measure that has been brought about due to some confusion in the thinking of the French leaders. This kind of thinking cannot be allowed to take place in a progressive society. Individuals committed to the concept of liberty and justice for all must ponder more carefully before enacting laws that have the potential to create more heat than light. Although the French scarf ban is very disturbing and worrisome, it points to a duty for Muslims and those who value freedom to participate in the highest levels of political discourse so that such bans are rescinded at the earliest possible time. If something as simple as piece of cloth is a threat to democracy, as alleged by the French government, then perhaps this idea of democracy requires re-examination so that the true values of democracy secure their right place in the hearts and minds of democratic nations (Is the Muslim head scarf a threat to democracy') The covering of woman In many places around the world the hijab is a symbol of modesty and tolerance. The hijab is worn with pride and 'lan at these places. They symbolize grace and culture even in modern society. In the past few years, the most noticeable trend is the covering of the women in the family. Four years ago, one or two headscarves could be spotted in the crowd; today, only one or two women are without one. The increasing number of women wearing the hijab has brought about a radical change in the image of the Egyptian woman. Young, urbane women are increasingly taking to the veil. There is a strong perception that the hijab is part and parcel of modern society. There is nothing religious or irreligious about it. It is a trend that has scored its points with the youth and is going strong with its meanings and moorings with the Prophet. The trend is strong enough to attract educated female executives into its fold. These ladies have fascination for Islam. They are otherwise smartly dressed in camel boots and long overcoats. The addition of the hijab is simply a reflection of the full glory of Islam. It goes to show the amount of premium these ladies lay on the concept of modesty and Islam. To these women, the hijab is an identity with the culture of Islam. They are comfortable and safe with it. But it's not just a statement of identity, it's a fashion statement. One woman spent weeks scouring shops offering a dizzying array of brightly colored, lavishly printed material to find a scarf that would perfectly match the dress she was wearing to her cousin's wedding. At a trendy caf' in Cairo's Zamalek district, well-dressed veiled women gossip while seated on plush couches over a late lunch or huddle over lattes, their laptops open on the tabletop. This is the dawn of the new hijab. The trend, however, is fraught with contradictions. Speaking of Egypt's pioneering feminists such as Hoda Shaarawi, Ceza Nabarawi and Nabawiya Moussa who famously unveiled after a trip to the International Women's Suffrage Alliance congress in Rome in 1923, Ms Samara notes: "The first thing they did was take off the veil, as a statement. It was political then, and for a long time, it was only the daring, the educated and the freedom-seekers who were not veiled." Does the return of the veil imply a backward trend in Egyptian feminism' The question is a contentious one, but for progressive Muslim women like Ms Samara, the suggestion that the veil is somehow reactionary or oppressive is antediluvian. Putting on the veil has, in fact, become as bold a statement as taking it off once was. In fact, the hijab has become the fashion statement for these women. They may or may not be beautiful. They may or may not be sexy. But the hijab treats them as a person who is important even if she is not beautiful or sexy. It gives them womanhood. It puts them in a place where they ought to be. It gives them and identity and a purpose (Nyier Abdou). Conclusion The head covering is not confined to the Islamic women alone. It is the head wear for the Christian woman as well. The Apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 11.6, "If a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil." The wearing of veil must not happen by force. It must be made a habit. A habit is formed when we do something repeatedly. Habits are also formed when the mind is impressionable. Hence, it is imperative that school children are allowed to wear the veil in their tender years. Let us see the veil as a creator of good habits. Let us refrain from attributing evil reasons and motives to this wonderful symbol. Then it will be easier to view the hijab in its true light. For a woman, covering is a part of good character. It is ennobling and graceful to see a woman well covered. The world will be a better place to live if we share a healthy view about the hijab. Sources: France's hijab ban, CBC News, 7 September 2004, http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/islam/hijab.html Is the Muslim head scarf a threat to democracy' http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IslamicNewsUpdates/message/4358 Muslim Veils, BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils/html/1.stm Muslim Veils - from Hijab to Burqa, http://www.apologeticsindex.org/505-muslim-veils-hijab-burqa Nyier Abdou, Veiled is beautiful, say Egypt's feminists and fashionistas, 13 December 2003, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IslamicNewsUpdates/message/3948 Rachel Morris, Australia: Women embrace the hijab, 16 February 2004, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IslamicNewsUpdates/message/4178 Read More