Anonymous wrote:22:47 here. Wanted to thank you, Muslima, for your response. I am a person whose life experience/ cultural context makes me instantly bristle when I see the head coverings so it is very helpful to get a different perspective.

Muslima wrote:I posted this, didn't realize i wasn't logged in...

Anonymous wrote:OMG, Get a Hobby, go volunteer, feed a hungry kid. Muslim women don't wake up everyday thinking about you, why are you so obsessed with us? You want to make a change? With epedemic levels of domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment of women, with the sexualisation of young girls and women and the lack of equality in the workplace , challenge how women are treated in the West, you can make a difference! Rise above the assumptions surrounding the Muslim woman’s dress and speak to any Muslim woman on the streets of DC, London, Paris, New York, Cairo, Karachi, Ankara, Tunis, and even Kabul.

This falsely engineered narrative of what Muslim women think of their dress should not be tolerated. Not only is it patronising, suggesting that millions of educated women who adorn these garments globally and are active within their societies are not able to think for themselves or study their religion independent of male influence but is also highly misogynistic. Oppression is not defined by a piece of material, but rather by a sickening of the heart and a weakening of the mind. Oppression grows in a society that is crumbling because its members have lost sight of the true purpose of their existence. The stereotypes and assumptions that portray all Muslim women as complacent and voiceless individuals are oppressive in and of themselves.



Muslim women will stay with their hijabs, burqas, niqabs and tchadors, they are not going anywhere, we certainly don't need to be rescued .Liberation is worshipping the Creator and not the created!~

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:22:47 here. Wanted to thank you, Muslima, for your response. I am a person whose life experience/ cultural context makes me instantly bristle when I see the head coverings so it is very helpful to get a different perspective.

You're welcome, but why do you feel that way (bristle)?

Anonymous wrote:My question is, in the many places in the world where women generally cover hair etc., what if one woman does NOT want to cover? In all of these places, is that okay? Can this woman go about her daily business dressed as she pleases completely at ease?

Muslima wrote:I posted this, didn't realize i wasn't logged in...

Anonymous wrote:OMG, Get a Hobby, go volunteer, feed a hungry kid. Muslim women don't wake up everyday thinking about you, why are you so obsessed with us? You want to make a change? With epedemic levels of domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment of women, with the sexualisation of young girls and women and the lack of equality in the workplace , challenge how women are treated in the West, you can make a difference! Rise above the assumptions surrounding the Muslim woman’s dress and speak to any Muslim woman on the streets of DC, London, Paris, New York, Cairo, Karachi, Ankara, Tunis, and even Kabul.

This falsely engineered narrative of what Muslim women think of their dress should not be tolerated. Not only is it patronising, suggesting that millions of educated women who adorn these garments globally and are active within their societies are not able to think for themselves or study their religion independent of male influence but is also highly misogynistic. Oppression is not defined by a piece of material, but rather by a sickening of the heart and a weakening of the mind. Oppression grows in a society that is crumbling because its members have lost sight of the true purpose of their existence. The stereotypes and assumptions that portray all Muslim women as complacent and voiceless individuals are oppressive in and of themselves.



Muslim women will stay with their hijabs, burqas, niqabs and tchadors, they are not going anywhere, we certainly don't need to be rescued .Liberation is worshipping the Creator and not the created!~

Anonymous wrote:My question is, in the many places in the world where women generally cover hair etc., what if one woman does NOT want to cover? In all of these places, is that okay? Can this woman go about her daily business dressed as she pleases completely at ease?

Muslima wrote:I posted this, didn't realize i wasn't logged in...

Anonymous wrote:OMG, Get a Hobby, go volunteer, feed a hungry kid. Muslim women don't wake up everyday thinking about you, why are you so obsessed with us? You want to make a change? With epedemic levels of domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment of women, with the sexualisation of young girls and women and the lack of equality in the workplace , challenge how women are treated in the West, you can make a difference! Rise above the assumptions surrounding the Muslim woman’s dress and speak to any Muslim woman on the streets of DC, London, Paris, New York, Cairo, Karachi, Ankara, Tunis, and even Kabul.

This falsely engineered narrative of what Muslim women think of their dress should not be tolerated. Not only is it patronising, suggesting that millions of educated women who adorn these garments globally and are active within their societies are not able to think for themselves or study their religion independent of male influence but is also highly misogynistic. Oppression is not defined by a piece of material, but rather by a sickening of the heart and a weakening of the mind. Oppression grows in a society that is crumbling because its members have lost sight of the true purpose of their existence. The stereotypes and assumptions that portray all Muslim women as complacent and voiceless individuals are oppressive in and of themselves.



Muslim women will stay with their hijabs, burqas, niqabs and tchadors, they are not going anywhere, we certainly don't need to be rescued .Liberation is worshipping the Creator and not the created!~

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:22:47 here. Wanted to thank you, Muslima, for your response. I am a person whose life experience/ cultural context makes me instantly bristle when I see the head coverings so it is very helpful to get a different perspective.

You're welcome, but why do you feel that way (bristle)?

I mean that as an American woman, the images I have been presented with are almost entirely and uniformly focused on the idea that the head garments are used by men to oppress women. That it is forced upon them. So if that is what you hear and what you think you know, then the reaction is clearly going to be negative, because of the emphasis in American culture on personal freedom. But your explanation presents me with new food for thought and a different perspective.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone really think the full burqa with the face covering and everything should be allowed in public in America?

A man couldn't cover himself head to toe and wear a mask, and not be given a hard time in public, not be banned from stores, etc.

I am more and more irritated at places like Tysons when these mountains of black go wafting around. We have no idea who is under there, if they have bombs strapped to them, and so on.

When a person's identity is completely concealed, it should not be tolerated in public. Do that shit in your own home.

Anonymous wrote:This is pp, and I'll just come out and say it instead of waiting for the answer. The reason your post puts me off is that we're not "obsessed" with you. Not in the least. Get over yourself. We're concerned for the rights and safety of that "one woman" I mentioned. What could happen to a woman that chooses to dress herself (as *she* likes) in a miniskirt, a bikini, a tank top, and go about her business in public in Saudi Arabia? We're not "obsessed" with you. We're worried about her.

Anonymous wrote:My question is, in the many places in the world where women generally cover hair etc., what if one woman does NOT want to cover? In all of these places, is that okay? Can this woman go about her daily business dressed as she pleases completely at ease?

Muslima wrote:I posted this, didn't realize i wasn't logged in...

Anonymous wrote:OMG, Get a Hobby, go volunteer, feed a hungry kid. Muslim women don't wake up everyday thinking about you, why are you so obsessed with us? You want to make a change? With epedemic levels of domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment of women, with the sexualisation of young girls and women and the lack of equality in the workplace , challenge how women are treated in the West, you can make a difference! Rise above the assumptions surrounding the Muslim woman’s dress and speak to any Muslim woman on the streets of DC, London, Paris, New York, Cairo, Karachi, Ankara, Tunis, and even Kabul.

This falsely engineered narrative of what Muslim women think of their dress should not be tolerated. Not only is it patronising, suggesting that millions of educated women who adorn these garments globally and are active within their societies are not able to think for themselves or study their religion independent of male influence but is also highly misogynistic. Oppression is not defined by a piece of material, but rather by a sickening of the heart and a weakening of the mind. Oppression grows in a society that is crumbling because its members have lost sight of the true purpose of their existence. The stereotypes and assumptions that portray all Muslim women as complacent and voiceless individuals are oppressive in and of themselves.



Muslim women will stay with their hijabs, burqas, niqabs and tchadors, they are not going anywhere, we certainly don't need to be rescued .Liberation is worshipping the Creator and not the created!~

It's sort of sad how every thread related to Islam ultimately becomes a debate about headscarves. But I guess to many of us it is an interesting topic. to me, it's somewhat upsetting that a religious observance involves covering a woman's head, of all things. Like, what is immodest or sexually appealing about a head of hair? Some women certainly have fabulous hair, but still....

When I see a family where the man is wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and the woman is covered head to toe, I can't help but believe that this particular belief creates a double standard and overemphasizes women's bodies as sexual objects. I'm not a huge fan of women of other religions wearing haircoverings and the like, either.=

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone really think the full burqa with the face covering and everything should be allowed in public in America?

A man couldn't cover himself head to toe and wear a mask, and not be given a hard time in public, not be banned from stores, etc.

I am more and more irritated at places like Tysons when these mountains of black go wafting around. We have no idea who is under there, if they have bombs strapped to them, and so on.

When a person's identity is completely concealed, it should not be tolerated in public. Do that shit in your own home.

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question I have, at least, for Muslim women, is what is the purpose of being covered? What is the spiritual significance, what is the spiritual benefit?

There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for believing women. Muslims believe that their sole purpose in life is the worship of God alone, according to His instructions, as revealed in the Holy Quran, and through the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). As such, wearing the hijab is an act of obedience to God and, hence, forms the primary basis for wearing it.In Islam, hijab is not demanded of women by men but is ordered upon women by the Merciful Ever-Living.

It is an outward symbol of an inward spiritual reality and aspiration.

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question I have, at least, for Muslim women, is what is the purpose of being covered? What is the spiritual significance, what is the spiritual benefit?

There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for believing women. Muslims believe that their sole purpose in life is the worship of God alone, according to His instructions, as revealed in the Holy Quran, and through the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). As such, wearing the hijab is an act of obedience to God and, hence, forms the primary basis for wearing it.In Islam, hijab is not demanded of women by men but is ordered upon women by the Merciful Ever-Living.

It is an outward symbol of an inward spiritual reality and aspiration.

Ok, I get that it is a religious observance, and an outward sign that you're "spiritual," but other than that, is there anything to it? Why would God request this particular action? What spiritual benefit is there to the actual action? And why aren't men given an analogous way of being spiritual? Or are they? I guess how I feel, is that this is something way too trivial for God to ask women to do unless there is a real spiritual benefit. This is my issue with a lot of tenets of Islam- there are lots of rules and obedience and obligation, and no joy to it, no "fruits" of spirituality. What is that spiritual benefit?

And you may say "hey, this shows the world that you are Muslim," but there's another side- in a Muslim country, not covering your hair shows that you are non-Muslim, and leads to a feeling of intimidation. I've experienced this myself, and I've known women who were told, outright, that they are in a Muslim country, it doesn't matter that they're Christian, a native of that country who never wore a hijab, they need to wear a hijab now. So, yeah, since you don't know any woman who has been forced to wear it, would that count as your first example?

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question I have, at least, for Muslim women, is what is the purpose of being covered? What is the spiritual significance, what is the spiritual benefit?

There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for believing women. Muslims believe that their sole purpose in life is the worship of God alone, according to His instructions, as revealed in the Holy Quran, and through the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). As such, wearing the hijab is an act of obedience to God and, hence, forms the primary basis for wearing it.In Islam, hijab is not demanded of women by men but is ordered upon women by the Merciful Ever-Living.

It is an outward symbol of an inward spiritual reality and aspiration.

Ok, I get that it is a religious observance, and an outward sign that you're "spiritual," but other than that, is there anything to it? Why would God request this particular action? What spiritual benefit is there to the actual action? And why aren't men given an analogous way of being spiritual? Or are they? I guess how I feel, is that this is something way too trivial for God to ask women to do unless there is a real spiritual benefit. This is my issue with a lot of tenets of Islam- there are lots of rules and obedience and obligation, and no joy to it, no "fruits" of spirituality. What is that spiritual benefit?

And you may say "hey, this shows the world that you are Muslim," but there's another side- in a Muslim country, not covering your hair shows that you are non-Muslim, and leads to a feeling of intimidation. I've experienced this myself, and I've known women who were told, outright, that they are in a Muslim country, it doesn't matter that they're Christian, a native of that country who never wore a hijab, they need to wear a hijab now. So, yeah, since you don't know any woman who has been forced to wear it, would that count as your first example?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question I have, at least, for Muslim women, is what is the purpose of being covered? What is the spiritual significance, what is the spiritual benefit?

There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for believing women. Muslims believe that their sole purpose in life is the worship of God alone, according to His instructions, as revealed in the Holy Quran, and through the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). As such, wearing the hijab is an act of obedience to God and, hence, forms the primary basis for wearing it.In Islam, hijab is not demanded of women by men but is ordered upon women by the Merciful Ever-Living.

It is an outward symbol of an inward spiritual reality and aspiration.

Ok, I get that it is a religious observance, and an outward sign that you're "spiritual," but other than that, is there anything to it? Why would God request this particular action? What spiritual benefit is there to the actual action? And why aren't men given an analogous way of being spiritual? Or are they? I guess how I feel, is that this is something way too trivial for God to ask women to do unless there is a real spiritual benefit. This is my issue with a lot of tenets of Islam- there are lots of rules and obedience and obligation, and no joy to it, no "fruits" of spirituality. What is that spiritual benefit?

And you may say "hey, this shows the world that you are Muslim," but there's another side- in a Muslim country, not covering your hair shows that you are non-Muslim, and leads to a feeling of intimidation. I've experienced this myself, and I've known women who were told, outright, that they are in a Muslim country, it doesn't matter that they're Christian, a native of that country who never wore a hijab, they need to wear a hijab now. So, yeah, since you don't know any woman who has been forced to wear it, would that count as your first example?

From what I know (and forgive any mistakes), the Quranic verse usually associated with covering talks about it as a way to maintain modesty. In addition, in the Hadith (records of the sayings of the Prophet Mohammad), the wives of the Prophet were told to cover to set themselves apart for greater respect/recognition.