But the burqas and niqabs DO attract attention. Also, as far as modesty goes, the definition of it goes beyond dress code. It's the way a person projects themselves in total. The very flashy lifestyle of the oil rich Muslim dominant countries in the M.E.-where this sort of dress is so important- as well as those that live or visit here from there completely negates the so-called modesty of their burqa. The burqa with the $5000 purse while driving in the 100K G-wagon doesn't exude modest, nor do the men in their loose attire with the thick gold chains and watches while they ride in the back of their Rolls with their driver after their servant carries their things. |
I think it depends on the region. A burqa won't attract attention in Afghanistan and a niqab will not attract attention in Saudi Arabia. Walk in the US with either and yes you all attract stares. Burqas are cultural actually, I've never met anyone in the US wearing a burqa, the most covered women you see here are wearing niqabs. Important to note that burqas or niqabs are not a requirement of the islamic dress according to the majority of the Muslim scholars. As far as the flashy lifestyle of the rich gulf countries, I agree, it is far from being modest, we all have our demons ![]() |
If the man's gaze is lowered, plus covering the private parts, shouldn't that be enough? Why does the woman have to cover her hair, too, if men aren't supposed to be looking at it anyway? It's a system of checks and balances where everyone does their part - women by dressing modestly and men by not ogling. This is the core principle, I'm not talking about the ugliness into which it translated today. |
It's a system of checks and balances where everyone does their part - women by dressing modestly and men by not ogling. This is the core principle, I'm not talking about the ugliness into which it translated today. Both are actually asked to lower their gaze. The requirements for modest dress differ between the sexes due to fundamental biological distinctions and causes of arousal. I would also like to clarify that women do not cover their hair for men, the ones who do cover, do it because they believe it is a command from their lord and a sign of modesty, kinda like how the catholic nuns still cover their hair to this day. The attitude that hijab and Islamic dress codes exist to protect men are an utter and total fallacy. |
Both are actually asked to lower their gaze. The requirements for modest dress differ between the sexes due to fundamental biological distinctions and causes of arousal. I would also like to clarify that women do not cover their hair for men, the ones who do cover, do it because they believe it is a command from their lord and a sign of modesty, kinda like how the catholic nuns still cover their hair to this day. The attitude that hijab and Islamic dress codes exist to protect men are an utter and total fallacy. You might say that but this philosophy is very firmly entrenched in the Muslim discourse today. It should also be noted that the exact form of hijab (open face/hands, everything else covered) is a construct of human and primarily male scholars, not what the lord commanded, even if you take the Quran to be a direct word of god. |
Observant Muslim men do not wear gold or silk. |
You might say that but this philosophy is very firmly entrenched in the Muslim discourse today. It should also be noted that the exact form of hijab (open face/hands, everything else covered) is a construct of human and primarily male scholars, not what the lord commanded, even if you take the Quran to be a direct word of god. And that's a result of patriarchy, nothing to do with the religion itself |
True. Gold and silk have been forbidden to men in this life, only women can wear them, but I have yet to hear about the men lobby crying injustice in dress codes and marching for the right of men to wear silk and gold. Somehow it's all about the injustice of the Muslim women and their headscarves ![]() |
That's because no one controls the way men dress. Let's break it down in a simpler example. Option 1. You're a man in Jeddah. You walk along the Corniche sporting a gold necklace. What do you think will happen to you? Option 2. You're a woman in Jeddah. You walk along the Corniche sporting a pair of tight jeans and a clingy top. No headscarf, no outer coat. What do you think will happen to you? |
Well, if you want to be all literal about it, the prohibition of gold and silk for men come from the same source as the command to cover the hair - from the mouths of men, not the Quran. |
Define religion. |
They're at Tyson's Mall or Tyson's Galleria all the time- I'm guessing buying their expensive handbags. Also a few times at Mosiac in Merrifield but not as often. My son was so confused the first time he saw it, he thought they were ninjas! I tried to smile and shoo my kid to the side so they wouldn't notice his loud voice and pointing finger, but it was awkward for all of us. And before anyone comes down on me about my child and manners, yes, I later used it as a teaching moment and no I'm not a horrible parent. |
I am guessing you don't know the difference between a niqab and a burqa. A burqa is something worn mostly by Afghan women - tightly covered head and a loose coat attached to it. What you see in Tysons are women wearing a niqab (head and face cover) with a loose coat (abaya) on top of their regular clothes. Not a burqa. |
Forgive me, I've gotten the multiple versions of Muslim modesty mixed up. Yes according to the pics on this site-http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/24118241 It is the niqab because there are eye slits whereas with the burqa there is a mesh around the eyes. |
My son gets confused when he sees anyone over size 8 in a miniskirt. I try to shoo him too. I'm not a horrible parent, just a very esthetically demanding one. |