Muslim head Scarf or veil is in news again.
Islam says women should dress ' modestly'- that is all.
It makes no call for veil, scarf, pardh etc.
I think it eolved due the harsh climate of arabian countries - sand storm, heat etc.
Even men wear scarfs in those counties.
But of late , veil has developed to 'protect the women from preying men'.
If this arugument is accepted, its fair for muslim women to wear this in non muslim counties
as they can protect themselves from the non muslim men who may not know to behave.
But in Reality , women in majority muslim countries war veil more and in some countries its a must.
Therefotre, does it relect the charater of men in such socities.
Thus - more women in veil is a reflection of the charater of men in such socities in general !
Now lets decide , we want our women to wear this ?
Quran (scripture) says modestly, but Islam too has an interpretation of Quran or tradition lived thoughout the centuries in their social customs. Certainly these customs were formed out of climatic and practical reasons. Thus the use of veil is fundamentally religious, there is philosophy (theology) of man behind it. Veil is part of women's identity. Veiled head of a woman expresses her respect for her man, because man is the head of woman. This philosphy never changes, but its expressions can change. Women is not man, no unisex, man and woman are complementary. If one does not know the philosophy behind a custom, or reducing it to mere climatic or practical reason, seems not fair.
ReplyDeleteHead scarf is not just a muslim tradition. Hijab means modesty.
ReplyDeleteIn Hindu and Jain traditions, ghunghat is used by women to cover their heads and even faces, while entering a place of worship. Dupatta, mukha-patta and siro-vastra are few variations.
Tznuit requires Jewish women to cover their hair. Tichels are worn by women and Tarmulkes by men.
Sikh men and women both wear dastar for head coverings.
Numerous eastern Christian traditions follow similar practice during church service. Quaker and Amish women in the western world wear brims and bonnets. Check out 1 Corinthians 11:5–6.