Question for American men and women: how do you feel when you see a Muslim woman covered up?

Question

This is not intended to insult Muslims, this is just an honest question.

When I see a Muslim women all covered up I feel really creeped out. I feel like the woman is being controlled and has an awful life. I know that Muslims have a different opinion, but those are just the feelings that come to me. How do other Americans feel?

Answer 1

in most cases, its an improvement! no more bad hair days! we have them working in all our stores....I ask them what's the name of it, and she was really nice and friendly...we both laughed when she told me no bad hair-days!

Answer 2

To be honest, I wonder if she is a recent convert. I knew a teacher who had two Muslim women in her class. One was from the Middle East and wore stylish Western clothes. The other was an American who had recently converted and she wore hijab. She said they used to argue about whose style of dress was correct.

OTOH, sometimes it is obvious that they are from another country and then I just assume it is part of their culture and the woman is wearing what she wants. I feel the same when I see a woman in a sari. Both hijab und saris can be quite beautiful.

Answer 3

I am an American Guy with Egyptian roots , and I think that Muslim women covered up is something they believe in concerning their religion , it doesnt necessarily means that they live a horrible life , but I know muslim successful female scientists , doctors , teachers and even police officers in the middle east who are covered up wearing the scarf as this has nothing to do with their lives ....... It is one of the muslims important religious concepts ......and we have to respect each others' concepts and do not divide people according to religion or race ...... the same like African Americans , we can never ask them why they are black.............By the way , female muslims doesnot cover up according to their husbands desire , but because god asks them to and they always have the choice whether to wear the sacarf or not , still it is a human choice......... Thanks

Answer 4

It depends on the way she carries herself. I've seen some pretty kick *** Muslim women, covered up; that makes me think about what I don't know. What is she getting out of covering herself that I don't get? Some kind of confidence.

But sometimes, I see somebody who carries herself miserably and/or timidly. And I hope she is just having a bad day & not demoralized or bossed around.

But I feel the same way when I see some Christian families. Sometimes the women seem scared and fakely docile or sad; sometimes they seem inquisitive & questioning.

Answer 5

In ALL honesty, my thoughts are:

COOL! Someone with culture!

I just think cultute is neat, what can I say? Personally, I think it stupid clothing would make someone think another person is oppressed. Many oppressed people walk around in whatever clothing they please. There is little cutlure at all in America, and it's just nice to be reminded some people do have a sense of culture; it makes the day more interesting.

Answer 6

it has to get pretty hot in the summer to wear something like that on their whole head and face. but that is how it is for them. thats how they have been for a really long time. it's not a big deal to me because it does not affect me. all i worry about is my own culture and where i am from.

Answer 7

It doesn't bother me either way. I do think she must be hot in the summer here in the steamy south though.
Peace

Answer 8

Only in the summer I think, "Damn they must be boiling under there."

Answer 9

The Hijab
Chastity, modesty, and piety are deceptively marked as shackles on personal freedom.
«"O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better"» (7:26)
According to "liberated" women, the hijab not only covers the head, but also covers the mind, will, and intellect. They speak out of ignorance when they say that hijab does not belong in these modern times, when due to the constant decrease in moral values in the world today, circumstances make the hijab even more necessary. More than ever before, sex crimes are rampant and "liberated women" face increasing higher chances of being raped or sexually harassed. The Federal Government conducted research in which they found that in America, a rape is committed every six minutes.
The women, who uncover their beauty and show off their bodies and made-up faces for all to enjoy, expose themselves to be harmed. Allah enjoined hijab on the Muslim woman to protect her from harm.
Unfortunately, hijab has its down side: you get discriminated against.
For many women hijab is a constant reminder that- unlike other women- they should not have to design their lives and bodies for men.
Hijab is a woman's statement, of transcending the often-abused power of men over their lives. Furthermore, modest clothing and hijab are precautions to avoid any social violations.
"Let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms" (Surah 24:31; 33:59) (notice:God used the word "let" not "make" because some men prevent their women of their right to wearing hijab). It is the minimum standard of decency. No mention of face covering. A Muslim woman is told: cover your nakedness, do not play with femininity as a commodity. Be proud and save your intimate best for the one who stands by you in times good and bad. Speak loud and clear, the game-and-promise bedroom voice does not belong on the streets, (Surah 33:32); Walk firm and tall otherwise, the swaying, jingling advertisement of the body carries a "for sale" sign on it (Surah 24:31) [You can check the original verses I didn't include to save space, the numbers of chapters and verses are included].

My Body is My Own Business
The Qur'an teaches us that men and women are equal the only thing that makes one person better than another is her or his character.
"Strangers speak to me in loud, slow English and often appear to be playing charades. They politely inquire how I like living in Canada and whether or not the cold bothers me. If I'm in the right mood, it can be very amusing" says a Canadian Muslim girl who started wearing Hijab "But, why would I, a woman with all the advantages of a North American upbringing, suddenly, at 21, want to cover myself so that with the hijab and the other clothes I choose to wear, only my face and hands show? Because it gives me freedom".
WOMEN are taught from early childhood that their worth is proportional to their attractiveness. Feeling that one has to meet the male standards of beauty is humiliating and can be really serious and dangerous, like developing bulimia, anorexia or suffering from liposuction complications.
WOMEN ARE NOT GOING TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY AND FREEDOM BY THE RIGHT TO BEAR THEIR BREASTS IN PUBLIC, as some people would like to have you believe. True equality will be had only when women don't need to display themselves to get attention and won't need to defend their decision to keep their bodies to themselves.

Why Do I Wear Hijab?
Many women are being forced into a mold, coerced into selling and compromising themselves. "My body is my own business, Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that" is what your statement by hijab.

Hijab In The Workplace : Q & A
Q. What are the requirements for Muslim women's dress?
A: Rules regarding Muslim women's (and men's) attire are derived from
the Quran, Islam's revealed text, and the traditions (hadith) of the
Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). In the Quran, God states: «"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and adornments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers...(a list of exceptions)"» [24:30-31]
Also, «"O Messenger! Tell thy wives and
daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer
garments over their persons...that they should be known and not
molested."» [33:59]

There are similar, yet less obvious requirements for a Muslim male's
attire a Muslim man is prohibited from wearing silk clothing (except for medical reasons) or gold jewelry (do you see them complain! When you see a man who's not wearing silk nor golden jewelry do you ask him if he is oppressed? Or if he is submissive to women? A Muslim woman may wear silk or gold, it's the same, when women wearing hijab they follow God's obligations).

Q. Does Islamic dress imply that women are submissive or inferior to men?
A: Modest clothing is worn in obedience to God and has nothing to do with
submissiveness to men.

Q. Is Islamic dress appropriate for modern times?
A: Islamic dress is modern and practical. Muslim women wearing Islamic
dress work and study without any problems or constraints.


Q. But aren't there Muslim women who do not wear Islamic Dress?
A: Some Muslim women choose not to wear hijab. Some may want to wear it but believe they cannot get a job wearing a head scarf. Others may not be aware of the requirement.

Hope that helps you know there are a human being under the little piece of cloth covering the head so you wouldn't be scared! Women wear hijab out of submission (this is the meaning of Islam) to god not submission to men. Women who wear hijab didn't only have a miserable life if the man she's with is not a true Muslim.

DO NUNS CREAP YOU OUT AS WELL? It's the same. Nuns and Muslim women are obeying God by wearing the head covering and the decent clothes. Even nuns did it before Muslim women, which shows that the essence of both religions is from God, and that Islam is not man made.

Answer 10

"Damn she must be ugly!!"