Why all this controversy over how some women dress or what they wear on their head or face?

Question

Somehow I feel that this is not the real issue but an attempt to hide the true one. Why do so many seem to have so many problems with it?

Honestly is it anyones business but their own how they choose to dress and follow their faith? I too wear a head scarf although I am not a Muslimah.

Answer 1

If anyone can identify what religion you subscribe too by how you dress, then you are too religious.

Answer 2

I have no problem with it personally,I will not howver pretend that it is not what it is. Why would any religion demand a specific dress code for one group,but not the other? It's a form of repression plain and simple,it's a way of saying the woman must play by different rules and therefore is less than the man. What I object to is societies that compel the adherance to these customs,not the customs themselves. And as for the one which stands out in most peoples mind,ie Islam, I see a real effect of this second class citizenship of women. Such as the Aug 15,04 hanging of a young girl in Iran for "acts incompatible with chastity" She was never given a lawyer,the man in the case was given 100 lashes,at one point she said she was raped which the court never investigated,and from my reading of Quran on such issues their actions while called extreme by some are perfectly in line with Islamic law. I cannot support that kind of identity,and it starts with the little things,like head scarves. As an aside aug 15 2004 is also the birthday of my niece,my sister originally planned her c section on the 16th to be on my birthday but they had no surgical openings,and knowing this happened on my nieves birthday I can never forget it because I look at her and I imagine the idea of someone executing her when she's 16 for having sex. It's sickening and it all starts with the little rules,"just dress conservatively,just wear a headscarf" etc. I

Answer 3

The issue is not with scarfs and such, it is with covering the entire face. It is a matter of being anti-social, and lacking identity. If someone else was to come in that just sounded similar, how would you be able to tell that they were not the same person.

It's a simple matter of security and not discrimination. Students aren't allowed to wear hats in school, employees aren't allowed to wear balaclavas to work, so why should somebody be allowed to wear a face mask?

Answer 4

In some countries they have made the women believe that
burping real loud is a compliment regarding the meal!
Do you think that there haven't been male dominated things
imposed on women? That we should address as the human family?
I never understand all the nit-picking over what should be ones
right to "believe". But noone does anything about real situations
that need to be addressed, but complain.

Answer 5

Its quite simple really...

Muslim women wear their headscarves and facemasks to hide their sexuality and stop them being sexually objectified. There is a major counterflaw to this in that it stops them being identified at all... full stop... and they become completely impersonal, and ironically objectified in an entirely non-sexual manner.

Its a trade-off that we westerners can't really be familiar with, since we chose one way and they chose another... and both of us believe our way is inherantly superior / more natural for the most part.

At least as far as my opinion goes though... as this is a problem in this country (the United Kingdom, for those elsewhere)... I believe without a shadow of a doubt that our own western culture, in our own country, should win out. Its all very well to go preaching about rights and tolerance, but the two cultures are heavily incompatible... and the very notion that they should dislodge ours with their own is ludicrous.... hence the only sensible option is for the face-masks to go... and for that sacrifice to be made for the preservation of the peace in the UK. I mean... sure... they don't want to do that, but then they shouldn't have dragged their religious ways, culture, mumbo-jumbo and all over into our country in the first place.
I've got nothing against muslims as people... but I dislike Islam and insist that it has no place in this country.

Answer 6

It could be, decievers are many, you are right, there is some bigger issue, otherwise no one would argue over such simple matters.

It doesn't really have to be because of a doctrine or a verse, Each person has an individual quality and he must have the freedom to choose what he looks like, and what he wears, who are the others to decide,

Brilliant question, great views..

Answer 7

Times are so dangerous now in all places, and perhaps the best thing for anyone to do is just blend in. Women who cover everything but their eyes stand out in a crowd. That might not be in their best interest at this time in America, where the majority of non-Muslims are very distrustful of Muslims. It's not a prejudice thing, it's a safety thing.

Answer 8

I think many people have difficulties understanding or tolerating this because a woman does not have the ability to decline wearing the full-body garb; and because it seems to be a symbol of radical Islam's oppression of women, while tolerating outrageous male behavior.

I don't know of anyone who objects to a simple head scarf, but veiling the entire face (sometimes even veiling the eyes with a mesh-like material) seems oppressive. With the misogynistic views of many radical Muslims, it just seems that this garb is meant to say two things: "don't look at my woman, she belongs to me," and "since you can't see her, she has disappeared from society."

You're right, it's entirely their business. But I can't help feeling a deep sense of sorrow whenever I see a completely veiled woman.

Answer 9

I agree with you. I think there is more to it than just a dress code people are discussing. It is the acceptance of the religion and its followers that is behind it in my opinion.

I read comments that I really fail to understand like muslim women wearing the hijab is 'offending - insulting - frustrating'! Could someone really explain?

One girl said 'If you are in Rome, do as the Romans do' meaning that muslim women should not wear hijab when in a non-muslim country. Likewise, when she is in a muslim country, will she wear the hijab? Will she wear the niqab?

Where does all the hatred come from?

May Allah bless us all.

Answer 10

the whole thing started because some woman in England was told she has to take off her heavy veil if she is to teach children to speak properly in English class. They stated that it was not because she was muslim, but because the children needed to see how she moved her mouth when she pronounced the words. Any other class, she could still wear the veil.

However, like usual, the muslim community took it to mean that she was being discriminated against because of her religion, which does not say she has to wear the veil, by the way.

so, when she refused, she was suspended, and I hope soon fired. Would you want your children blindfolded in class, or hidden behind a screen and told they must learn anyway? same thing

Answer 11

the majority of information comes from the face, if you can't see the face you can't make a proper and real judgement about what that person really means. but there again, Ive have not heard anyone complain about a bank robber, wearing a mask!