Reply to Muslim women speak out against the hijab as an element of political Islam

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[quote=Anonymous]PP, I am a Muslim woman who doesn't wear hijab, either. I respect a Muslim woman's choice. Hijab is truly a decision between a woman and her Creator.

However, it is important that other parties, many of them non Muslim, many of them who loathe Islam, particularly in these times when Islamophobia is rampant, many of them who hate any aspect of Islamic life that strongly and observably diverges from western lifestyle, not scrutinize or ridicule our personal choice.

What vested goal and interest do they have to imply women, who do choose to wear hijab, are gullible, oppressed, and naive? The goal is in shaming hijabi women until they adopt a more western style of clothing. The interest is in diluting the faith and practice of Islam.

Now, it may be true that some Muslim countries require hijab for women. It may also be true that some women in such countries do not wish to wear hijab. I agree, hijab should not be forced upon any woman. After all, the Quran says clearyl, "Let there be no compulsion in religion."

That said, some rules and necessary for the governance of a moral society. The vast majority of Muslims do not want a society where individuals are free to dress any way they like even if that means wearing tiny shorts, bikinis, or short skirts. The vast majority of Muslims also do not desire a society where there is free and unfettered sexual expression between unmarried people. The vast majority of Muslims do not want a society that says porn should be legal. Muslims do not want these and these views are in accordance with Islam.

Modesty in dress and behavior is an important part of Islam. It is absolutely connected to piety, because it is hard to achieve piety when one absolutely has no modesty. Hijab is not clearly mentioned in the Quran, however. As such, it should be left up to the individual. However, if the woman is styling her hair so as to make it attractive, particularly to men, this is contrary to Islam's expectation of modesty.

I, too, have traveled to Muslim countries over my lifetime. I've been to moderate Muslim countries, such as Jordan, as well as very strict Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia. I recall being leered at once in Saudi Arabia also. What causes these Muslim men to leer? Is the religion of Islam to blame? Or is the culture to blame? It's the culture. It is never the religion. Remember that Arab society still has many remnants of pre-Islamic tribal culture that have been mixed with their practice of Islam and also confused with it.

Are Muslim countries the only place where men have stared or leered at me? Of course not. I have been gawked at, approached, and harassed in this country all through my teens, twenties, and thirties. I'm in my forties now and relieved that it's no longer an issue for me.

Probably the worst gawking and harassment I've ever endured was in non Muslim, South Asian countries as I went shopping with my family. I was told it was because I clearly looked and dressed like a foreigner. I tried to fit in by wearing the same style of clothing the women wore there, but people there could tell I looked American.

The point is -- to say that hijab should be a reminder to men (and women) to avoid the sin of gazing does not mean that it's absence should invite disrespectful treatment. Of course men should exercise self control also.  
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