A visual façade
She passed by me as I was walking down the street with her tight white pants, short shirt, and an underwear streak that is as visible as lightning in the night. I never understood such motives of covering your hair with a veil or scarf, and your body being as visible as daylight. But I have seen it, and many of you probably did as well.
In my childhood years in Saudi Arabia, I grew up where the veil was normal. All women wore it because the country’s customs have forced it upon them. In my opinion it is a traditional custom more than being Islamic. However, I was used to it, and it was the norm in the society.
Later years when I moved to Canada, I saw the big norm among Muslim women wearing the veil in this country. I was never influenced by it because my mother doesn’t wear it either. I never found a reason that was justifiable from the people around me. What I understood is that when women wear it, they are supposed to represent the positive aspects of Islam. Such aspects include being spiritually pure and morally good, and being a positive representation of Islam within the society that they live in.
Unfortunately, I can never seem to find the good in everything. I see the opposite of that. My mother always has this discussion with other women since she is a minority within that group for not wearing one. She tries to understand why girls are forced to wear the veil if they dress in the most provocative manner known to man. That does not include the heavy makeup that accompanies such lustful manner of attire.
Why do these girls cover their hair for? What’s the point if they cannot cover their bodies as well? What are they trying to represent exactly? I think from an Islamic perspective, when a girl decides and is convinced on her own to wear the veil, she must abide with the other positive rules that accompany wearing it.
Girls who do wear the veil must also represent the positive morals and ethics that Islam is known for. I have known and heard girls and women who wear the veil whose verbal language is as foul as manure. There are words that come out of their mouths that I never knew there was an equivalent word for it in the Arabic language.
So why do these girls wear the veil? Does it make a negative impact on the way other Muslim women are perceived in our Western society? You tell me.
Loading ...
I think veils are more cultural also. I am Christian but my best friend in NY is Muslim. I ask a lot of questions and have done a lot of research on my own.
I have been to 2 muslims weddings, both in America, some women were veiled and some weren’t. Most of the women of a certain age picked up the veil as they got older.
Do I think veiled women are looked at differently? It depends. In a place as cosmopolitan at New York, we are exposed to every religion, race and culture under the sun so no.
I don’t think that young girls that live in a Western culture should be forced to veil. They deserve a right to chose their own path.
alicia
http://todaystyle.today.com/
No, it does not make a bad impression about women in Islam. I think it makes something very clear, and that is that they are very frustrated and want someone to listen to what they are saying. It’s like screaming in a dark alley. They want attention and I don’t blame them. We are all listening to our fellow sisters, right here in the western hemisphere. Aqui, hermanas! We hear you!
Interesting perspective. I like that screaming in a dark alley metaphor. It is quite true if you think of it that way.
I am an Lebanese-Australian Muslim in my 20’s and I believe that being veiled requires you to act a certain way in public. I resemble peace, respect and confidence when I’m out and my fellow Australians respect me for it. I have never been the subject of abuse mainly because I hold my head up high while wearing my hijab..
Salam,
Another very interesting observation ,Mona!
I was at some friend’s house just couple of days ago and the same topic came up for discussion by my friend’s mom…She’s really annoyed,to say the least, by girls who dress this way..Without judging or analyzing anybody, I say it comes down to one word : ATTENTION.
Don’t get me wrong, I think females by nature like to feel and look attractive and desirable ,and I think they should made to feel this way,within the boundaries,but I can’t agree with Raquel’s justifications , because: what kind of attention do you expect to get by exposing your”@ssets”??…Definitely not the positive kind.I personally think that it is a self-respect issue, but maybe I’m wrong..Its one thing to say that some of those girls are “very frustrated and want someone to listen to what they are saying”, and its another to resort to wearing revealing clothes while wearing head scarf(hijab)..I don’t see the logic here.And btw, most, and I mean the vast majority, of those girls wear the head scarf voluntarily and no one forces them to wear it.
Anyway Mona, thanks for the smart and very realistic issues you always bring up for discussion, and I would really like to hear the girl’s views about this “phenomena” because I see it a lot in many Arab countries too these days.
Wassalam
Perhaps they think that it is a compromise, but good and evil can never mix.
I don’t want to be disrespectful, but the clothes you are forced to wear say something to the world. My father always admired my intelligence more than anything. With intelligence comes independence. In my family there is respect along with independence. Simply put, my father loved me even though I was not like his generation and much more independent. When someone loves you they don’t expect servitude. They want your happiness independent of their personal feelings. That is true love.
What your clothes say is that you are a slave.
That is so true, and it’s not just in canada you’d find it in Jordan too. I lived my entire life in Saudi Arabia (but I moved to Jordan for uni last year), and the veil and the niqab to Saudi’s is actually more cultural than religuos because when you’re in the airplane as soon as it lands you find dozens of Saudi girls taking it all off and they’d be wearing tight ass jeans!!
But as for the hijab in Jordan sometimes you find women with the proper attire and behaviour and sometimes you don’t, and I’ve seen them all from muhajaba’s who had sex with their boyfriends and muhajaba’s who wear bikini’s to the public beach and go swimming with their guy friends! I find that hypocracy outrageous!!
and what really drives me insane is that we are in a society that gets fooled by the image of innocence (the hijab) and end up labelling people like me non-hijab (al kashifat LOL).
Salam
I have to say that reading your blog is a pure joy and being Muslim, Arab and in Canada lets me relate to alot of the topics you choose. But this subject hit close to home because I am veiled- by choice. I think many of the girls that you mention don’t wear the hijab because they want to but because they are expected. Alot of the times their own parents don’t really know its true purpose, other than the basic “cover up your hair as not to attract attention”. The veil – hijab – is not about the piece of cloth you put on your head, it is not just about covering of your hair – it is about how you dress as a whole, about your faith, about your behaviour and about your representation of your religion.
I just want to point out that these girls would dress this way regardless of if they were wearing hijab or not. I have to agree with Nana the comment “I think it makes something very clear, and that is that they are very frustrated and want someone to listen to what they are saying” is not relevant. I think these girls don’t want to feel that wearing hijab means giving up a sense of fashion. And it doesn’t- you just have to learn to adjust fashion to your needs.
For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5BgWtKLlxU
Rabia Z. is up and coming islamic fashion designer whose received recognition – both in the gulf and in europe- for what she’s doing.She the winner of the first British Council International Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award. Her work has been featured in Dubai and London fashion week. I want to point out that her clothes are designed according to the Islamic guidlines of “hijab” and all her models wear hijab on the runway.
Cheers
Rebellious Arab Girl. It is barely a sentence. I guess you are not rebellious afterall. And, apparently, the admonition at the bottom of this grid is so predictable: “I moderate every single comment..bla bla bla bla….what a bore!”
None of you are rebellious. Do you even know what the meaning of the word is? I doubt is because English is your second language, no?
Esperate un momento! Being rebellious does not mean you should have sex with your boyfriend! I highly recommend that you do not do this unless you are ready for a sexual relationship! You must understand what this does to your mind and body. It can result in a very bad situations.
In fact, if you ask me, being rebellious means you should not have sex with him! Most of the time it is the man who wants it. So ask yourself, do you want it? And if you do, please use birth control! While you’re at it if you do want it, do it out of joy. Sex should bring you joy, not guilt or problems.
@Raquel – I don’t understand why you are attacking me and insulting me. If you do not like the name of my site then don’t comment. I think that was your plan to see if I will approve your comment or not by pointing out the obvious warning. I placed that warning because there are many people who cannot comprehend the fact that this is a personal site, and I will not approve every comment. Secondly, how dare you assume because I am an immigrant and an Arab that English is my second language? It is not. On the matter of fact, I am bilingual. Comprendes mi amiga? Bilingual means that since the day I learned how to speak, I spoke two languages. I went to school to also learn two languages. I read, write, and speak two languages fluently. For a flavor, I also learned Spanish for 4 years. I wouldn’t call my self trilingual because I do not practice Spanish anymore as I used to, nor do I speak it with others.
Next time, before you comment think of what you are saying and do not judge people you do not know. I am still baffled by the fact that you attacked me, although I did not say a word to you or point out your name at all in any bad way. Maybe next time when you hop from one blog to another, learn a few things about the blogger before you start pointing fingers and insulting them.
its ridic. Girls like me, who don’t wear the Hijab and are both born and raised in Canada, are critized all the time because we are considered to “westernized” for not wearing the hijab. Honestly, why should I wear one,I know myself well enough. Just because I don’t wear a Hijab doesnt mean I should be looked down upon.
One time my best friend calls me to tell me that I will never ever get married because I don’t wear the scarf (like she does). First of all, I’m still 20, I’m not thinking about marriage, Second of all, I don’t think wearing a Hijab justifies who I am. Maybe religious wise, but still, eventhough I dont find a need to wear one, and i’m still a strong believer in Islam.
MY mom says the same thing. Out of expierence, I have noticed that the majoirty of girls that wear scarfs (back in high school) did a lot of things, that a person like me (who doesnt wear the scarf) would do..
As a hijabi, I don’t think it’s fair that these expectations are placed upon us. Why should I have to represent what a model Muslim woman should be? That’s a huge responsibility and one that I didn’t sign up for. Life is complicated and difficult enough. Hijab for me was a religious yet very personal decision that I made and I shouldn’t have to justify to people why I wear it, nor should I have to defend my attire or why I wear makeup to anyone.
People should be concerned about their own faith and practice and not worry so much about mine.
I find things like veils disrespectful. I know this veil does not cover the face so this is more OK… But the ones that do I find disrespectful because I would like to know whom I am talking to. I know they have their reasons and belive in them… But when I a sales man I served a group of women who had full veils and it was one of the most unpleasant things I had to do in my whole 5 years of sales.
Talking to someone with no real eye contact is just plain rude in my book and in countries like the UK I thik they should be banned.
It drives me crazy when I see people do this in airports as some are let through without even checking if it is even a real women under it… For all we know it could be some person trying to escape (Which did happen in the UK with one of the 9/7 bombers).
I know this may sound very narrow minded… maybe it is… But this is just how I feel with these veils.
I also think it marks a sign of women being held back. i do not see it as something that in anyway is a + for women… And anyone who thinks it is a good things needs to really think about where they learn’t this from and why they believe it.
Sorry if I offend anyone… This is just how I feel on this subject. And sorry if I have upset you Mona
I knew it might be a bad idea to sign up for the comments followup….but I did
Lee, I’m a veiled woman and you didn’t offend me…that’s just not something you’re capable of…but your narrow mindedness did incite me to say a few things.
If you feel disrespected because what someone else chooses as their personal attire that’s your problem and I suggest you get over yourself. The world isn’t going to cater to your insecurities.
It’s pretty condescending that YOU, should tell someone like ME a woman whose been veiled for about 10 years that I need to go think about where I learned it from and why I believe it. Why don’t you go educate yourself first before making statements like that.
As far as being held back, at 24 I’ve experienced and achieved more than what a lot of people will achieve in a lifetime. I don’t know you personally but your statement in that comment makes you sound ignorant, uneducated, close-minded, and like you need to get some new hobbies so that you’re not so affected by the very personal decisions of others (disrespected? HA PULEEEZEEEE)!
Umm.. I knew Lee’s comment will cause a bit of an argument. I am not going to intrude into this. However, I do agree with Asoom. Lee, your position on the matter is a bit closed minded and you need to understand the reasoning behind the attire chosen by Muslim women before you make any judgments.
the hijab is the new cool
not only is it a sign of modesty, but it is respectful to your spouse…to only show your loved one the side that you never show to anybody else is like a diamond in the rough. and when you and your loved one come together it is like two seas, full of lulu wa marjan, which will never part.
i am a muslim by choice and i find it one of the most difficult religions to adhere to and i was always taught that with the greatest difficulty comes the greatest reward.
actions always speak louder than words, and any women taking the time to cover herself, not with makeup, but with hijab/niqab of course, has my full respect.
oh and @ raquel. a true rebel is rebellious against themselves and not against someone else.it is more difficult to rebel against your own ideals than someone elses. esta verdad.
Hi,
I am sorry that I did offend you. I just do not know how else to explain it.
For me it was like having a bunch of people wearing balaclava and serving them, except that this balaclava has no mouthpiece. Where i come from if a bunch of people came in with a mask on we would think we were being robbed as these makes are meant for 2 things.
1. intimidation
2. to hide the persons face.
Maybe it is my lack of culture… maybe it my lack of education… but I did feel offended and I did think it was disrespectful.
It’s the caked on makeup that really annoys me the most. I mean, by wearing a veil, your supposed deter attention, correct? Then you see women with caked on foundation, eyeshadow in every color of the rainbow and penciled in eyebrows…and then she wears a veil. The veil frames her face and actually draws more attention than a woman with no veil and modest makeup. They are trying to fit both the western and Islamic ideals at the same time but end up making a mockery of both!
I am a hijabi, i use foul language sometimes and i go out on dates. I dont think that hijab makes me more modest that non hijabis. I have my own reasons for wearing it, bit cultural and a bit religious. Why should people put us in a box and expect us to behave a certain way?
I wonder so much about cultural relics and identity. Are they functional in situ?
When we trekked the Annapurna in Nepal, at altitude, in very warm weather, exposed to the sun all day, walking great distances – so many westerners walked in respectable shorts, perhaps pants rolled up, short sleeved shirts and used their hats to fan themselves. The Nepalis, and Tibetans, at altitude walked in layers of wool from head to foot. We thought they were crazy. They thought we were crazy.
But they were actually insulated, and cool underneath, and didn’t sweat away water to evaporation. Duh.
Traditional Arabian dress works well in climate… in situ.
I do occasionally shave my head. Sometimes that’s an expression of my Buddhism. Sometimes it’s because I did it once and find it very cooling during the summer. It is a very effective refrigerant in tropical climates.
As a Buddhist, the practice is to question Identity: “Show me your face before you were born!” I don’t practice Buddhism as an identity. Why practice religion as an Identity? Why is hijab important to who you are?
My thoughts on the subject:
http://blog.haniobaid.com/2008/08/14/hijabi-identity/
This is the first time i am commenting on your blog. So here it goes. I am happy to see you blog. Beside the facts that you are open minded, logical and respectful – you are Muslim who possess all these qualities and presenting them gracefully in-front of the world. Call me bias but it makes me joyous whenever i see any Muslim do something good. Mona, there are two aspects to everything ordained or advised in religion. Why we do it? What purpose its going to serve? For me the answer to former is ‘We do it for ALMIGHTY’. It definitely doesn’t mean that ALLAH enacted anything without wisdom but for me submission to ALLAH is or should be the primary reason for obeying a command. Secondly, the purpose behind doing anything that is either ordained or advised by Almighty, according to Quran is, either moral cleanliness or physical cleanliness, nothing else.
Some people might follow certain commands in religion but without knowing its purpose. Others might just do it because everybody else is doing it, as a “Cultural Thing”. In either case the act won’t serve the purpose. That’s why certain girls don’t find it weird to wear provocative clothes alongside Scarf. They need not to be cursed but educated. And its our responsibility to educate them.
According to Islam i cannot force anybody to do any righteous good deed. The only obligation on me, according to Quran, is to convey the message, and that too in the best possible, polite and presentable way. So forcing any Muslim to follow any commandment of Islam is absurd and against Islamic rules.
For me, attire of a Muslim women is something for which she is answerable to ALLAH not me. I wont look down at her if she is not doing it but i will respect more the ones who are actually following GOD commandments.
You said its a cultural thing. If by that you meant that most of the girls do it because of cultural, i agree to it 100%. But if you meant that Islam, has not ordained it. I humbly beg to differ because of the following Quranic verse:
Surah Nur [24:31]. “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent and to draw their khimar all over Juyubihinna…”
As far as i know the word khimar means “Head Coverings” or “Head Scarf”. I am not making a statement here Mona, i am just sharing my view point, and i can be very well wrong. Please correct me if i am wrong here, as you know Arabic
.
May ALLAH bless you and guide you like no other.
Asalam-o-Alaikum
Girls who do wear the veil must also represent the positive morals and ethics that Islam is known for.
YES , i just wish the girls i see in uni everyday read this.