Muslim women and veiling--a matter of politeness?

Question

I saw this article just now, and found it intriguing. In it, she says that Muslim women who want to work in Western society need to work with Western mores and show their faces.

http://www.slate.com/id/2152031/fr/nl/

Personally, I'm a bit squicked by full-on veiling and niqabs for the reasons she says, though I have no problem with a head scarf. (Hell, I've been known to wear "hijab" when the swimming pool turns my highlights green!)

Steve H, I lived in Florida all my life until two years ago, and I remember that case! I think the court was right, too. A driver's license is supposed to be ID; you can't ID using a masked face.

Answer 1

I think the hijab is fine, but the niqabs is not. It is not even in the Quran, why did they made up that rule, and they say that Islam has never changed since the time of Muhammad. This clearly shows someone is adding to the Quran.

Personally, I like to see the person's face when I am talking to them. I hate talking to a person wearing sun glasses, and this is worse. Another reason is that some Muslims seems to be stuck in the past, and they refuse to change with the time. Just my opinion.

Add info: A Saudi woman can't drive. They are prohibited by law to drive. so there will be no rules to worry about her veil on her face, since she can't drive. Poor women they don't have much freedom to speak of. Maybe that is why they want to move to the west because they know they will get a better life.

Answer 2

Depends on the job. In some jobs it just wouldn't work, but of course phone work or computer work would be fine. Meeting the public in a veil would not be appropriate, since people like to look at who they're talking to. Scarves shouldn't be a problem at all, but the veil thing would be difficult to get around. But then, maybe I'm a snob, I think people coming to live in this country should learn the language, and if they want to work here, they should be able to dress accordingly, and western cultures are use to looking at people they do business with.

Answer 3

A Florida woman who'd converted to Islam went to court for the 'right' to have her driver's license picture taken with her face entirely covered. The judge quite sensibly threw the case out, pointing out to her that driving is a privilege with rules, not a basic right.

A Western woman who wears a tube top and short shorts may be perfectly acceptable on the streets in her home town, but in Saudi Arabia she'd be arrested before she got three steps in that getup. By the same token, women from other countries shouldn't come here expecting to dress exactly as they do at home. A woman walking into a bank with her face entirely masked would not do well here.

Answer 4

what do you think when you see me ?
Do you see someone limited, or someone free?

All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair.

Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated.


They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free.'

Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused.

They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice.

They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged.

All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear.
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the One up Above.

On the Day of Judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules.

Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty.

See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy.

Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind.

Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause.

I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight.

The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their mind they wish they were me.

We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life-long fight.

You see we are not controlled by a miniskirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt.

So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated.

We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure.

So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying 'Baby, its all good!

Answer 5

i dont think of its incorrect ,its merely like asserting Jews wearing those hats , or nuns wearing those black and white outfits . if its what they have self assurance in , then i think of no physique ought to take that removed from them ,or criticise them for it . think of as a non muslim , your married ,have a stunning spouse and youngsters . and d whilst your spouse outfits up and is going out she seems outstanding , and if yet another guy seems or passes remark on her then you definately might sense somewhat aggravated or disillusioned . and in keeping with possibility in case your spouse is uninterested with you she ought to stray , now think of your spouse covers her head and physique , and purely you get to be certain whats in the back of the headscarf or below the veil , does no longer you sense proud that she might try this for you . and that could additionally tutor she has no interest in exhibiting herself off to different adult males , . using fact of this a super form of the ladies do it . and regardless of the undeniable fact that a super form of persons ought to no longer consider it , you're able to desire to confess its kinda marvelous . if a woman is bald she is often going to look fairly a similar . yet whilst a woman has hair then she will shade and sweetness it which adjustments the way she seems . so if somebody sees a woman strolling down the line all cove rd up , no person is unquestionably going to make lots of a flow on her, meaning its left to her husband to be certain .

Answer 6

reality - if you accepted western culture enough to want to live in it, then you have to comply with western culture and the culture of the country you have CHOSEN to reside in

and no woman should have her face covered when working in western society, not only for security, but also for the benefit of the company that is paying their wages. Religion and a working environment should never mix. You're employed to do a job, not to advertise your religious beliefs.

Answer 7

Veil were not invented by Muslims veils were Christians and Jewish too

Answer 8

There is absolutely no place for a veil in our society. If a woman embraces the veil and all that it entails, then perhaps the US is not for her.

Answer 9

People should be able to dress as they please. Especially as it pertains to their religious beliefs.

In San Francisco there are a lot of folks in the Asian community wearing face masks because they are germophobes. No one questions that.

So why should a veil be questioned?

If we start monitoring how others dress very soon we will be next. Government issued clothing. Government issued shoes. No original modes of dress.