Why is it that when a muslim women wears the hijab she is considered opressed?

Question

but when a nun is covered from head to toe she is considered dedicated to her faith? whats the difference?

I would like to say thank u 2 proud muslimah coz she made a really good point, also 2 omer, Layla n everyone who has a good answer and starred my question.

Answer 1

Exactly my point. What more do we need to do to prove this.

i think rare incidents where some muslim women were forced to wear it have kind of painted a stereotypical image of us, but then again the same does not apply for all of us.

Answer 2

I personally find that most people dont see it so much as opression but as a sign of isolation from the mainstream society? People are scared of what they dont understand and resentful that the women are not making an effort to fit into the culture of the country they have chosen to live in. Sorry i realise this only applies to Muslim women living in western countries, but thats all i have experience of, and theres a lively debate going on in Britain about it at the moment

Answer 3

Ello. Well, with experience from my family, people are usually racist for some reason because of their religious beliefs. Also, people are influenced from the media that all Muslims are terrorists or something. Some people usually told my sister to take off the towel on her head. My mom was hit by ice thrown at her. Influence from the media is from pure ignorance. If you were to look at the nuns and the Muslim women, they aren't really that different. The nuns give up all their belongings to join the church. That is one difference. Muslim women act as normal women you see every day. The similar thing is what they wear on their heads. Muslim women aren't forced to wear the hijab. They wear it by choice. Its a sign of respect to the religion and to God. I hope that answers your question. If it doesn't, email me or something... its 7 in the morning now. I'm going back to sleep... >.<

Answer 4

I get what you're aiming for with your question. Personally I don't get why women should cover their heads at all regardless of the reason. However in relation to your question, I guess the differences in perception of head covering from a nun vs a muslim women is pretty much the same as comparing the nun to the muslim woman. Not all christian women choose to become nuns, they are the female equivilant of clergy in the religions that have them. They were head covering to show that they are a nun, it's like a badge, it's identifiable as a mark that, that particular woman has chosen to devote her life to her religion, forgoing a normal life, marriage, kids etc.
A muslim woman, while some are free to make the choice to wear the head covering, like the nun, a lot are not given the opertunity to choose for themselves. Dress codes in some countries, and even within in families that are muslim require the women to cover their heads. It is the fact that there are quite a number of muslim women who do not have a choice as to whether they wear a head covering or not that makes people associate the muslim varieties of head coverings with oppression.

It basically comes down to. A nun chooses to be a nun, and even in the choice of become a nun, depending on the order she joins, she'll often have the choice to wear a head covering. Not all christian women are required to become nuns, and made wear a head covering. In that instance it is worn as a symbol of devotion.
Muslims women on the other hand, are pretty much all expected to wear a head covering, and it's the association of forced compliance with wearing a head covering that occurs in some countries where religious dress codes are enforced, and in some families who live in countries where religious dress code isn't enforced, it's the fact that some women are forced to wear them, that they do not choose that for themselves that makes people associate it with oppression.

Answer 5

A hajib cuts a woman off from the rest of the world by saying only her husband can look at the without being covered. Woman in Muslim countries who do not where them are harassed and called whores. You can't compare hajibs to nuns' habits as nuns choose to wear the habit when they enter their order and are not forced by society to dress that way. Most orders of nuns wear veils that show some hair and nuns can dress in civilian clothes when necessary. Do not compare the two things as they are completely different

Answer 6

Of course, there is a double standard. The media does not target Christians, it actualy WORKS with Christians. So why should they ever show an oppressed nun? After all, a nun cannot marry, unlike a Muslim woman. You have to understand that in today's world, bias against Islam is prevalent. It may not seem fair, but it is the truth. Many people will not hesitate to criticise Muslims, and these people are usually ignorant and have little moral value.

Please watch this video on Hijab. I strongly advise you watch it! :) It may even help you out with the advice given ;)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=F4jQi0Gjy3M

Answer 7

okay, I see around me here in the Netherlands that the headscarf is not oppressive. Girls wearing them intermingle with girls who don't, and in general they actually seem a little more confident in themselves then those who don't wear a hijab. It is a personal choice, and I have no problem with it at all.

But in many muslim countries wearing a headscarf or even a full niqab is not a choice. The religious police in Saudi Arabia actually sent girls back into a burning school because they were not fully dressed, and they died there! Oppression is too mild a word to use in that case. Yes this was an extreme case, and Saudi Arabia is an extreme case. But that is a problem I see with it. You can't compare that to nuns, who are always a minority.

Answer 8

Could be she is oppressed. Does she have a choice? Can she read in those countries? Does she have to fear if she is raped that her family will kill her for honor? Does she have her genetalie mutalted by her own choice? Can she drive??? Does she have to eat after her husband? Does she or is she allowed to educated???

You asked a question that begs all of these other questions. If you are asking from the perspective of a muclim women in america we can say that she is dedicated to her religion. If she is in Iran, Afganistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, or any other muslim controlled country you have to answer these other questions with the one you asked.
THe problem with all religions is that women are viewed as property and not as equal human beings. god in most of the religions cares little about a womens feelings about anything. THe christian bible says she should remain silent in church and learn from her husband at home. Why? Why can a women not have a mind and be a equal person?
So really I do understand that you think you have a valid question but it is really unrealistic because the holy books show no or very little at best respect for women. I would never subject my wife or daughter to this kind of subjegation that is required by most if not all of the religions of the world.
Women are a mans equal, partner, friend and should be treated with the same respect that any human being deserves from another human. THey are not property, they have a voice and they are free to choose their own life and with whom they want to marry, live with or anything else...
Also, for America in particular it is high time we paid women the same money as we pay men in this country for the same jobs that men do and quit treating women as little girls that need a big strong man to help and protect..

I by the by am married to a wonderful women who makes up her own mind, I do not tell her what to do or when to do it. I also have a daughter that makes up her own mind. And I tell her that no one is any better than her and that she can do what ever she wants is life.. It would pain me if she chooses a religion that makes her a second class person because of their teachings.

Answer 9

Do you know why nuns and all christian women should cover in the christian faith cover? Because at the top of a mans head is God, at the top of a women's head is man, this is from the bible. Seems that christian women are more oppressed by religion then Muslim women. Muslim women are considered at the side of a man not behind or under but next to him.

All christian women and women of Judaism where required to cover their heads up till about 20 years ago(the Church would not let you pray).

Jews and Christians also use to prostrate to god up to the middle ages.

Answer 10

Choice.

Plain and simple.

Women are forced to wear hijab in many muslim states or they risk their livelihoods, repuations and in some cases their lives.

If you do not understand this rather less than subtle difference with a person who has knowingly chosen a life of isolation for very personal (and very unusual - there are very few nuns) reasons then you cannot grasp the simplest elements of human rights and decency.

Answer 11

Hijab and abaya is very important for Muslim women. It has a lot of advantages. It covers you all and some bad people will not irritate you. Mens will not stare at you. I couldnt understand your question properly but i think you will like my answer.