More on the hijab: empowering symbol?

Submitted by A very concerned reader (Australia), Mar 26, 2021 at 17:16

Dear Dr Pipes,

In 2021, Muslim women still believe that using hijab and other Islamic garments empower them.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/world-hijab-day-why-wearing-a-hijab-matters-to-these-women/13121042

While I have nothing against dressing with modesty and I find that it's everyone's right to choose their dressing code (always respecting the dressing code required by the place where you're attending to), I find hijab everything but empowering since the ayahs related to it were revealed in order to protect women from being raped so they wouldn't be mistaken as slaves. Also, hijab has the purpose of covering women's beauty so they are reduced to mere objects. It helps make them invisible by covering their hair, neck, breast and shoulders. I know hijab differs meaningfully when compared to niqab and burqa. But no one can deny that it's a symbol of submission to men and, consequently, of oppression.

One Muslim woman says: "It allows me to be who I am and the freedom to dress as I want."

Really? How is that if you have to conceal parts of your body and the beauty that you were given? Freedom she said? Not at all. She is following an obligation from her holy book.

And this is why Australian popular clothing brands have launched new catalogues displaying women wearing both hijabs and western-designed clothing.

Sad that these women living in a such a great country like Australia defend their hijab as an empowering garment. With this mentality, Islam can't be reformed.

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