what do you think would happen if english women went to a muslim country wearing miniskirts and bikini tops?

Question

do you think they would get a jack straw type response?

Answer 1

They would not get a polite request to cover up, a la Jack Straw, they would be dealt with much more harshly. Showing skin and event the tops of heads is against the values of most Muslim countries so western women don't do it there; saying women have to keep out of sight is against the values of this country and it's time we stood up for those values instead of 'celebrating diversity'. If veils only serve to show devotion to God, why don't men wear them?

Answer 2

I live in Cairo, and the Western women here don't all abide by the Muslim dress code, particularly in the more touristy or expat areas. I have yet to see a negative reaction - everyone just ignores it. I was in a store called the Alpha Market, which is along the corniche (along the Nile), and there was a Western family in there, and the women were wearing short-shorts and halter tops that exposed their midriffs and their shoulders and necks. Nobody said anything to them, although of course the men did stare a bit. Is it disrespectful to dress like that here? Of course, and some Westerners do it anyway.

I would say the reaction to your proposal would depends where you are in the Muslim world, exactly. The Muslim countries aren't all ruled by the Taliban or conservative clerics. It's a mistake to group all Muslim countries together as if it's a unified bloc. Tolerance for diversity/pluralism varies considerably from Morocco to Indonesia.

It would also be a mistake to assume that only Muslim countries have more conservative ideas about how women (and men) should dress. Many Israelis, particularly the Orthodox and haredim, would object to skimpy attire, even if worn by fellow Israelis. And the Christians in the Middle East also abide by a stricter dress code. The Copts here in Egypt, who make up, what, about 10% of the population, are indistinguishable from their fellow citizens in terms of dress.

To be honest, there are a lot of English women here in the Ma'adi district of Cairo where I live, and they do seem to feel they can dress anyway they please, since they have money. Even beyond their manner of dress, the way they treat the Egyptians, as if they are all just their servants and should be grateful for the tokens dispensed to them - it's disrespectful and embarassing to witness. When you think about it in terms of the past colonial relationship between England and Egypt, I'm shocked that the local British expat community centers and clubs haven't been bombed by the Muslim Brotherhood yet, although I'm sure they'll be the first up against the wall when the Islamic revolution happens here.

Not to say that other Westerners behave any better or worse. The Portuguese couple that lives in my building - damn.

Answer 3

You have missed the point. In Britain our religion and our culture do not insist on a certain dress code. However other religions, and not just Islam, do. It would be polite to respect other countries traditions and customs as your English women (why not Scots, Welsh or Irish by the way?) would be guests in that country. It is exactly the same as removing your shoes when entering a Sikh temple - you should respect that religion's customs and practices.

Incidentally, on the subject of veils, it is a tradition that women receiving an Audience with the Pope in The Vatican cover their faces with a lace veil; some Roman Catholic friends of mine were extremely offended when the Queen did not; but Diana, Princess of Wales did, as did Cherie Blair.

Answer 4

I went to Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt (which is very much a muslim country) this year on holiday, and although I was within a holiday resort, when going anywhere other then around my hotel the men leer at you like they have never seen a woman before. When I was in Cairo I did respect their culture by covering up as I had been told by a friend who had visted this city before that they have very strong Muslim values of which I respected, as the old saying goes, when in Rome....plus I did so to stop the men staring.

I did see several women in Egypt who were wearing wertern fashion, others in just the head scarf and many in the full veil. I understand why these women choose to cover up their bodies, because they believe their bodies are sacred, but on the flip side it is rather intimidating to us westerners when you see someone in full veil and you cannot see their faces, as human beings we not only communicate through what we hear but also what we see and I believe around 80% of how we communicate effectivley is through body language.

To answer your question, NOTHING happens to english women (in my experience) if they go to a Muslim Country except for being looked at as if your are an alien from outer space.

Answer 5

I lived in Saudi Arabia for 3 years, during which time colleagues wives and female relatives were spat at, and even caned on the back of the legs in public places, for not wearing the Abaya, (long black overgarment), by the religious police, (Mutawah Haddin).
The reason, western females are seen to be enticing and arousing sexual feelings in men, by their own "inappropriate dress".
There is a huge cultural divide in attitude to women, between western men and the vast majority of Muslim men.
The leering and lecherous nature of men in Islam is apportioned as blame on the woman for her immodesty.
Women are overwhelmingly encouraged to cover up in the stricter Arab countries, where as others are much more tolerant and liberal.

Answer 6

Er, they generally do, but only to holiday resorts, and in places like Turkey get bombed for doing so.

Interesting interview on Radio 4 thismorning with a very articulate single young muslim woman who wears the mask for purely religious reasons. It's supposed to be a free and tolerant country, but increasingly not so.

Answer 7

All this bull about devotion to God, it is merely to put the women in their place. I take it having to walk behind the man is also a way of showing devotion to god.
To answer your question, they would be jailed and tried. Even men who dress inappropriately would be in trouble. But there we go, come to Britain and do what you want and get everything for nothing. We are a bunch of no brainers and the world is laughing at us for it.

Answer 8

I once read a nice book about a guy who traveled to Afghanistan during the rule of the Taliban.

The generally killed women who did such things. And they took great delight in the act.

Answer 9

Maybe they would get punished if they went to certain Muslim countries but it would be their own fault. If you visit another country you are subject to their law; just like Muslims visting Britain who can choose to wear a bedsheet if they wish to because our law allows it.

Answer 10

they would be murdered

but 2 wrong don't make it right

most of the so called Muslim countries are way behind the times