If the veil is not advocated or commanded in the Q'ran, then why are so many upset when they are banned...

Question

The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

Police in Tunisia have been stopping women on the streets and asking them to remove their headscarves and sign pledges that they will not go back to wearing them.

Under a ban introduced in 1981, women in Tunisia are not allowed to wear Islamic dress in schools or government offices.

The President, Zine El Abidine Ali, described the headscarf as a sectarian form of dress which had come into Tunisia uninvited. Other officials said Islamic dress was being promoted by extremists who exploited religion for their political ambitions.

Answer 1

Well, it may be seen as a form of fundamentalism, which most of the world despises, or just a step towards sexual equalty

Answer 2

This should be obvious. Is a Greek solely defined by the Orthodox church? Is a Hawaiian defined only by his polytheistic belief? I'd say, Heck no! The Arabic culture extends far beyond Islam. Banning headscarves as if they were religious symbols is foolishly ignoring the fact that these headscarves are instead cultural icons, something like baseball caps. We'd be really ticked off in the US if someone started banning baseball caps because they wanted to limit the spread of Christianity through baseball games. It makes no sense!

It's true that the headscarf and veil are not mandated by the Koran. Instead, they are part of the wider culture. To pass laws prohibiting such a cultural expression is worse, perhaps, than trying to limit the religion, because such a law is targeting a whole culture or possibly race. It's true that it's sometimes hard to separate an Islamic tradition from an Arabic tradition, but these distinctions need to be made.

Answer 3

That is true that it wasn't mentioned in the Quran, but it is mentioned in the Sunnah of the prophet. The sunnah of the prophet is the stuff he said, like how to pray, how to get ready for prayer, it basically explains stuff that is too simple to metion in the quran. & the wearing of the veils isn't oppersion of women!! it protects them, it doesn't draw attention to themselves by men!!

Answer 4

The Veil is commanded by God (Allah in the Qu'ran)

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment 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 brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” Qu'ran (Al-Noor 24:31)


“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” Qu'ran (Al-Ahzaab 33:59)

“O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allaah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allaah’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allaah that shall be an enormity” Qu'ran (Al-Ahzaab 33:53)


The Link I have included goes into detail about the Hadeeth which explains the Hijab (veil) in detail.

I also want to add that the Hijab is not in any way a form of oppression for a Muslim woman. It's a form of protection in many ways and an honor to wear. We are looked at for who we are and not what we look like.

Answer 5

Well it's about time. More and more countries should do this.

Answer 6

This is a GOOD thing. No more oppression of women!