Comments on: Unveiling the Veil http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/ For the modern South Asian. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:04:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Mesmerised http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-27270 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:36:19 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-27270 Have they wondered whether their hips look huge in that burka? BC they usually do. They must think people can't tell and so they gain tons of weight or something. Have they wondered whether their hips look huge in that burka? BC they usually do. They must think people can’t tell and so they gain tons of weight or something.

]]> by: Gita Kajre http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-18981 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:32 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-18981 How can we feel secure about veiled muslim women in our ladies train compartment when so many instances of muslim men clean shaven , wearing burkha & even lipstick - are now coming to light ? We should get some security women to find the truth by inspecting the sex organs - whether the person is male or female? How can we feel secure about veiled muslim women in our ladies train compartment when so many instances of muslim men clean shaven , wearing burkha & even lipstick - are now coming to light ?

We should get some security women to find the truth by inspecting the sex organs - whether the person is male or female?

]]> by: Faiza http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-18772 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 05:44:19 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-18772 Well... I guess to sum it up, if we look at the modern world, especially in countries like America where freedom is stressed, a woman should not be forced into wearing/ not wearing purdah; however, if this topic is discussed from the quran's view, then woman should wear purdah... So its back to the same point for most muslim americans, religion, or atleast slight discrimination? Sometimes I wonder if this rule would have been different if the times were different back then in the Middle East. Well… I guess to sum it up, if we look at the modern world, especially in countries like America where freedom is stressed, a woman should not be forced into wearing/ not wearing purdah; however, if this topic is discussed from the quran’s view, then woman should wear purdah… So its back to the same point for most muslim americans, religion, or atleast slight discrimination?

Sometimes I wonder if this rule would have been different if the times were different back then in the Middle East.

]]> by: anon http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-14133 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:13:47 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-14133 The Christian practice of covering prostitutes may have come about 1200 years ago, but the Islamic practice of women observing hijaab/purdah orignated more than 1400 years ago, so it stands to reason that the burqa was NOT derived from that christian custom. J Kallis comment about the Prophet PBUH and his son...... firstly, the Prophet Muhammed's sons did not survive childhood. In the Quran it clearly states that 'Muhammad is not the father of any of you men...' He did, however, have an adopted son, and the rulings regarding an adopted son are not the same as a biological one. After his adopted son divorced his wife, he married her. Someone said that no where in Islam are women required to cover their hair, arms legs etc. During salaah (daily prayer), a woman has to make sure that her whole body is covered, except for the hands, feet and face, and rysha has mentioned other evidence from the Quran. The Christian practice of covering prostitutes may have come about 1200 years ago, but the Islamic practice of women observing hijaab/purdah orignated more than 1400 years ago, so it stands to reason that the burqa was NOT derived from that christian custom.
J Kallis comment about the Prophet PBUH and his son…… firstly, the Prophet Muhammed’s sons did not survive childhood. In the Quran it clearly states that ‘Muhammad is not the father of any of you men…’ He did, however, have an adopted son, and the rulings regarding an adopted son are not the same as a biological one. After his adopted son divorced his wife, he married her.

Someone said that no where in Islam are women required to cover their hair, arms legs etc. During salaah (daily prayer), a woman has to make sure that her whole body is covered, except for the hands, feet and face, and rysha has mentioned other evidence from the Quran.

]]> by: J Kallis http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-12649 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:20:54 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-12649 I still think that Islamic world did not have any use of purity of its women- so that the belly dancing culture coexists with the veil. I think finally islamic writings equate women like opium- to be stored & traded for money but with no sense of loyalty. The Prophet PUBH even asked his son & married his own daughter in law and this shows the extent of flexibility about a particularly married woman's fate in own house. I still think that Islamic world did not have any use of purity of its women- so that the belly dancing culture coexists with the veil. I think finally islamic writings equate women like opium- to be stored & traded for money but with no sense of loyalty. The Prophet PUBH even asked his son & married his own daughter in law and this shows the extent of flexibility about a particularly married woman’s fate in own house.

]]> by: jiah http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-11459 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:46:10 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-11459 I use veil regularly and I am thinking about against the post by J. Kallis who are expressing views about Hijab being used by Christian prostitutes. If it is so why was Prophet Mohammed ( PUBH) so firm to prescribe the veil? I use veil regularly and I am thinking about against the post by J. Kallis who are expressing views about Hijab being used by Christian prostitutes. If it is so why was Prophet Mohammed ( PUBH) so firm to prescribe the veil?

]]> by: Mohammad http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-10107 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:18:04 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-10107 You keep your valuables in the locker and nobody will ask you why ? You maintain self respect by not exposing your body..all will ask you why? You keep your valuables in the locker and nobody will ask you why ?

You maintain self respect by not exposing your body..all will ask you why?

]]> by: rysha http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-10016 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:40:11 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-10016 I guess the discussion has taken this shape primarily because people are unaware of the first and foremost reason why Muslim women wear/should wear hijab. Here, i would like to clarify what Islam and being a Muslim are all about. The Arabic word Islam means 'surrender to Allah', which essentially signifies submitting yourself to the Will of Allah as expressed in the Quran because Quran is the Word of God. Looking into what the Quran has to say: And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful -Surah an-Nur ayah 31 O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle. - Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 I believe this is reason enough for a Muslim woman to wear the hijab, not ignoring the other plausible benefits as pointed out by Nakasha. For further clarification please visit the site: http://www.muhajabah.com/whyhijab.htm I guess the discussion has taken this shape primarily because people are unaware of the first and foremost reason why Muslim women wear/should wear hijab. Here, i would like to clarify what Islam and being a Muslim are all about. The Arabic word Islam means ’surrender to Allah’, which essentially signifies submitting yourself to the Will of Allah as expressed in the Quran because Quran is the Word of God. Looking into what the Quran has to say:

And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful
-Surah an-Nur ayah 31

O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle.
- Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59

I believe this is reason enough for a Muslim woman to wear the hijab, not ignoring the other plausible benefits as pointed out by Nakasha. For further clarification please visit the site:
http://www.muhajabah.com/whyhijab.htm

]]> by: J. Kallis http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-9257 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:25:45 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-9257 I note with interest that most people want to know when veil first originated. The answer is simple - about 1200 years ago during the period of Christian rule in Modern Turkey and Syria it was normal to order prostitutes or slave girls for sex and these would be brought covered in a black veil for certifying that they had not met any one one else along the way. Since then this notion of purity haunts the middle east along with that of slavery of women. Once the educated women read the veil context correctly, they will certainly wonder about wearing it! I note with interest that most people want to know when veil first originated. The answer is simple - about 1200 years ago during the period of Christian rule in Modern Turkey and Syria it was normal to order prostitutes or slave girls for sex and these would be brought covered in a black veil for certifying that they had not met any one one else along the way. Since then this notion of purity haunts the middle east along with that of slavery of women.

Once the educated women read the veil context correctly, they will certainly wonder about wearing it!

]]> by: venenu http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-9209 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:29:37 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2006/09/unveiling-the-veil/#comment-9209 This discussion has become complex. I am not sure where to start. In my opinion, for us to really know why Muslim women chooses or has to wear a veil, we have to first find out when, why and in what circumstances did the first Muslim women wore one. Did they choose to wear it because: It was the fashion statement at the time? - protection against men wanting or rejecting them for their physical appearance? - Did they choose to wear it\forced to wear it, as part of a protection strategy or pure jealousy from their husbands or fathers, against other men? Did they feel more confident, empowered and more active in their society knowing that they could wear the veil and not be judged or chosen as a mate by their looks alone? Maybe they had to wear the veil as protection against stinging sands blown by strong winds in the desert. Maybe it was religious/social pressure, when only those who used the veil were decent in the eyes of the God/ society!! Wearing a veil for the Muslim women compares with wearing high heeled shoes for the rest of the women in the world. For whichever of the many good reasons not too, try telling, encouraging, or enforcing the women in general not to use high heeled shoes, today. You will most probably very soon find out that there is no point in trying, because it will not happen. Even though, most of these women do not really know how and when or why women started using high heeled shoes, they will defend the right to use it for the simple fact that it is a fashion that they like, makes them look sexier and more attractive; for most men anyways. Therefore, for those who do not know, and correct me if I am wrong, wearing high heeled shoes started in the mid 1500 as, by both men and women, for social class distinguish. I will bet you that this would be enough reason for some women not to wear the shoes; but, they have no idea. And same with the Muslim women, they might have good contemporary reasons to wear the veil, without really knowing how it started. Just to refer to other points in the discussion. I do not agree with the thought of forcing Muslim women not to wear a veil; in fact, I do not agree with forcing anybody to do anything they do not wan to do. Keeping that in mind; when traveling to another country with a totally different culture and mind set, refusing to remove, in this case the veil, in required places, when taking picture ID photos, and so on, is trying to force another culture to accept a particular way of living they are not used to. Just to give another example; in the Latino communities, most of the people refuse to speak and learn English. This has forced the Spanish language to be the second most spoken language, and soon to become the primary spoken language in the country. Now, here in the United States, that might be O.K., because this country tries to accommodate to every culture, that is why I live here. However, the French are not Americans; they have a style of life that they choose to stick with. If they see wearing veil in public places as a security threat, as a country/society, I believe they have the right to make rules regarding veil usage, in public places, in order to ensure their security and peace of mind. Therefore, if I was a Muslim woman, and I did not want to remove my veil in public, places, I would choose not to travel to France or any other country that has same rules. If I was responsible to decide, I will not lie that I would try to restrict usage of veil in highly protected areas, buildings, and mass social gatherings. but public places in a regular day would definitely be O.K. I really would like to say more but I feel tired already. ;-) one love. This discussion has become complex. I am not sure where to start.

In my opinion, for us to really know why Muslim women chooses or has to wear a veil, we have to first find out when, why and in what circumstances did the first Muslim women wore one.

Did they choose to wear it because: It was the fashion statement at the time? - protection against men wanting or rejecting them for their physical appearance? - Did they choose to wear it\forced to wear it, as part of a protection strategy or pure jealousy from their husbands or fathers, against other men? Did they feel more confident, empowered and more active in their society knowing that they could wear the veil and not be judged or chosen as a mate by their looks alone? Maybe they had to wear the veil as protection against stinging sands blown by strong winds in the desert. Maybe it was religious/social pressure, when only those who used the veil were decent in the eyes of the God/ society!!

Wearing a veil for the Muslim women compares with wearing high heeled shoes for the rest of the women in the world. For whichever of the many good reasons not too, try telling, encouraging, or enforcing the women in general not to use high heeled shoes, today. You will most probably very soon find out that there is no point in trying, because it will not happen. Even though, most of these women do not really know how and when or why women started using high heeled shoes, they will defend the right to use it for the simple fact that it is a fashion that they like, makes them look sexier and more attractive; for most men anyways. Therefore, for those who do not know, and correct me if I am wrong, wearing high heeled shoes started in the mid 1500 as, by both men and women, for social class distinguish. I will bet you that this would be enough reason for some women not to wear the shoes; but, they have no idea. And same with the Muslim women, they might have good contemporary reasons to wear the veil, without really knowing how it started.

Just to refer to other points in the discussion. I do not agree with the thought of forcing Muslim women not to wear a veil; in fact, I do not agree with forcing anybody to do anything they do not wan to do. Keeping that in mind; when traveling to another country with a totally different culture and mind set, refusing to remove, in this case the veil, in required places, when taking picture ID photos, and so on, is trying to force another culture to accept a particular way of living they are not used to. Just to give another example; in the Latino communities, most of the people refuse to speak and learn English. This has forced the Spanish language to be the second most spoken language, and soon to become the primary spoken language in the country.
Now, here in the United States, that might be O.K., because this country tries to accommodate to every culture, that is why I live here. However, the French are not Americans; they have a style of life that they choose to stick with. If they see wearing veil in public places as a security threat, as a country/society, I believe they have the right to make rules regarding veil usage, in public places, in order to ensure their security and peace of mind. Therefore, if I was a Muslim woman, and I did not want to remove my veil in public, places, I would choose not to travel to France or any other country that has same rules. If I was responsible to decide, I will not lie that I would try to restrict usage of veil in highly protected areas, buildings, and mass social gatherings. but public places in a regular day would definitely be O.K.
I really would like to say more but I feel tired already. ;-) one love.

]]>