What are your views on the Islamic Veil (Hijaab)??

Question

Why do so many people assume Muslim women are oppressed because they wear the Islamic Veil (Hijaab)?

If a Catholic Nun chooses to wear a habit, she is considered pious and devoting herself to God.... but a Muslim woman chooses to wear hijaab and she is considered oppressed.

Why?

The Virgin Mary wore a veil, reverred in both Christianity and Islam as a most pious woman, yet she was not oppressed. But if a Muslim woman chooses to wear hijaab, she is considered oppressed.

Why?

Serious answers only please.

WARNING: Abusive answers will be given a 'thumbs down' AND reported.

The Reality of Hijaab, The Muslim Woman's Dress: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/message/935

Why Should I Wear the Hijaab?: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/message/936

The Virtues of Hijaab: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/message/938

Hijaab is Beautiful: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/message/937

@ Maximum Bob - I didn't say I'd report those who disagree, I said I'd report those who were abusive ..... read more carefully in future.

Answer 1

Women have been placed at par with men in the 'Holy Koran'.It is unfortunate that the divine laws as enshrined in the Holy Koran have been misinterpreted by people who do not understand the true meaning contained in the Holy Koran. The reason why it was ordained by Allah that a women should not wear adornments and cover herself up was that a woman is not considered to be a plaything of mischief makers. Woman has to be respected by men, and a woman should refuse to act like a subordinate to men, but uphold her dignity. This deep meaning is not understood by misguided people and they make a terrible mistake of understanding the veil of the woman as a sign of oppression, whereas the veil is a sign of a womens' dignity and equality with her male human beings.

Answer 2

Why?

As for the nun, we don't see her as oppressed because we know that she has chosen a religious life. Also, at least in America, a nun's habit is sort of seen like a uniform. She is considered pious and devoting herself to god, yes, but not because she wears the habit. She is considered pious and devoted to God because she has given up a "normal" life in order to serve God.

As for Mary, we don't see her as oppressed because that is just how everyone dressed back then. It seems out of place to us in the west to see it it modern times.

As a woman, I'm torn about the hijaab. When a muslim woman chooses that for herself, then I respect her choice. I can even see the beauty of her choice. There is a part of me that would enjoy being able to walk in public without feeling like I am being mentally undressed by certain people.

What bothers me is that sometimes it seems that the woman doesn't really have a choice, that she is being forced to wear it. Sometimes it seems that the reason is not about Allah (pbuh) at all, but because men think women are wild animals that need to kept on a short leash. I don't know if that is true, but it seems that way.

Hope that makes sense!

Answer 3

your not asking a question you are putting your own point of view.

This is from an ex hijabi so thumbs down if you like,

1) After years of wearing the hijab, i have come to one conclusion in the past hijab was used as a form of protection for women because of issues such as barbaric behaviour and the fact that it took women months to cross a piece of desert, it protected her for the elements including sun, wind and male attention.

2) Hijab no longer has the same meaning, it draws more attention than not and alot of muslim women like this, i.e to be seen as pure and close to god

3) the result is that it is now used to control the sexuality of women and thier access to opportunties in life.

4) As i understand where hijabis are coming from in thier view
please try to understand where the rest of humanity is coming from in its view about this issue, people dont want to take you away from your understanding and belief in Islam by saying that the veil is oppressive, it is not, but only when used as such a tool for oppression, look at the successful muslim women in the world how many are veiled? Yes you may try to say that it is not this world that in which you seek success, fair point but do you really think Allah will judge what you have done in your life or the fact that you were wearing a veil and Allah knows best.

Answer 4

the problem is that Muslims women are fine with Hijaab so why do the non Muslims think for the Muslims ?
Hijaab is Beautiful it gives the Muslim woman her respect and her personality .and she is not oppressed she choose it by her own .
p.s keep up the good work sister i really like your answers and questions

Answer 5

I can see why insecure woman like it. Confident woman are nullfied, and insecure woman dont feel as jealous. If confident people made me feel insecure, sure, I would want their visiblity to be minimized such that the contrast wouldnt be so obvious.

I will never forget the first time I spoke to a Muslimah. It was after 911 and I asked her why she believed in Islam. She never answered but instead raged on about sinful woman and how the hijab was so important to the world. Thats literally all she could say about the whole of Islam...it was very telling.

I have spoke to many Muslim woman since, and now have no doubt about the direct correlation between insecurity and love for the hijab. Theres just no question about it at all, the more passionate a woman is about the hijab, the more ignorant and insecure she is...thats my personal experience.

EDIT: MAXIMUM BOB

Its just another way to force a religious view. If you are to intimidated to offer criticism, then the religious view can be propogated without any testing or critical analysis.

EDIT: BEAUTY

Agreed, her threat is definetly consistent with an intolerant worldview.

Answer 6

110 degrees in arizona i wouldnt put a hood on dress on a woman maybe a bikini its hot they why they men just want you to hide your beauty i seen you in magaziens with makeup and eyes very nice that why mary got married . scarfs o.k. hoods not good , www. the healing channel .org.

Answer 7

Huh. The veil( hijab) is not aand has never been islamic. It is just a cultural thing that men invented.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
http://www.submission.org/dress.html

If you want to wear a Hijab you are free and I agree with you women are not oppressed to wear it.
Salam

Answer 8

Many people are just close-minded bigots. They don't even try to understand the point of view of a Muslim woman who observes the hijab. What else can I say?

You want to know why I wear the hijab? Because people learn to respect and appreciate me for my mind and who I am inside, instead of how I appear. And that can be the best feeling in the world, my friend.....

Here check this out... a non-Muslim who has pretty much gotten the point of hijab....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag.gvaIOYVDu4w9h9RflIoXsy6IX?qid=20070803043302AAoZRKi

Edit: Hmmmm.... I'm getting a lot of thumbs-down. Just goes to show that some people ARE really close-minded bigots who can't even respect my personal point of view. I'm not asking you to agree... just respect.

Answer 9

I for one LIKE the veil as it makes it easy to spot them!

Answer 10

if you want to wear it i could care less its you not me

whoa i didnt see the reporting thing let me say it this way what you wear is of no concern to me ok nice muslim lady? dont report me