To Serena

Submitted by Amin RIaz (United Kingdom), Mar 27, 2008 at 19:15

What a ... comment to make....

.... what are you saying that that mini skirt is the equivalent of Muslim Hijab. Do you really think because all those women donned Hijab that anyone in the so called Muslim world is so fickle to believe these women are showing respect. Respect is not given by donning Hijabs - its just an outward symbol. Its mis-guided and meaningless. Actually it could be lead to Muslims making a point that we are right and you are wrong.... look how weak your people are in their belief htat they have to do that.

I actually agree with Daniel Pipes on the point that this is a religious symbol. WHat is better for these ladies is to practice what they believe in, because when a middle eastern lady who actually believes in the values of Hijab comes to West and does not wear mini skirts is that she doesnt believe in it, other of course would. West is not about forcing people towards what they dont believe in? Now there are many other ways that Muslims could show respect to West and Vice Versa and that could account for proper respect and not meaningless gestures. Dont you think?

Hijab to Muslims represents or is meant to represent piety, being religious, morality and modesty. Now I am not about solve the controvsy attached to the veil. But if I can point out one thing. Modesty rules for men and women are actually about equal for MEN and Women in Islam. Although the burqa is an extreme form. But the most common is a head scarf (as illustrated above). Have you not seen the most common form of an Image of a Muslim man. Dressed in white robes and the head covered.

What about male dominance? You can ask. Of course a huge amount of female abuse occurs in Muslim countries. Actually a whole lot of abuse occurs. Respect and equality for ladies is an attitude which..... . A lot of feminists claim that women should be respected as being women (which I agree to). Respect should be given to irrespective whether a woman wear the veil or miniskirt. I am getting a little muddled. Let me illustrate what I am trying to say...

There are Imams in Muslim countries that often point to west and claim oh the women in west are whores and immoral because they wear short skirts. Now that is wrong. Because morality is more defined by character and actions. So a perfectly nice lady of a good character is immoral and a whore just because she wears er ... miniskirt? Hell no ... thats obviously wrong. Similary just because a Muslim woman wears the Hijab 1) She does not become instantly moral and modest but it is going to be her action and character that will define her. 2) She is NOT doing harm to feminism or letting the world womanhood down or is being submissive to men. So in my view the french blanket ban for that reason is wrong. THIS I think is a better ground for respect btw Muslims and Non Muslims.

Veils were not just in use by the Muslims. They existed long before in Christian and Judaism traditions too. Remeber how a nun actaully dresses. Although the level of devotion and piety a Nun represent is at a higher level then ordianry followers. But in Islam that level is meant ot be followed by all. Given the historic traditions Mary the mother of Christ would have worn a veil also. And that is one person Islam claims to follow... ... for example she is the best know symbol of modesty. The virgin birth and all that.

If it were that easy, we wont have that many problem in the world... imagine how easy it could all be.

PS _ I havent really seen the West ever giving much respect to Islam anyway. Mostly its the so called Wests supperiority that is constantly mentioned.

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