Would you ask Mother Mary to remove her Head-Scarf?
An 11 year-old soccer player was asked by an official in the town of Laval, Quebec to remove her hijab (head scarf) before playing in a tournament. Asmahan (Azzy) Mansour refused and her team (and several others) walked out in solidarity with her. The result has been a Zidane-sized storm of protest across Canada, with the international body FIFA starting an investigation. via alt.muslimThis is not the first time - the islamic headscarf is in the spotlight of dispute. But in the name of secularity whenever this thing happened, i really felt bad. To me its a real attack on personal freedom and insensitivity (in a rather stupid fashion) to cultural and religious expression.
When France imposed ban on headcarves in state schools, i had this question in my mind: If Mother Mary, one of the most revered personality by both Christians and Muslims, was alive today, would our so called secular society asked her to remove her headscarf as well?
In any iconic depiction of Mother Mary, upon her be peace, you will see her head covered as it was (and still is) a symbol of modesty for women in many culture and tradition. Following that modesty in self-expression, Muslim women are encouraged to do the same. So do the Catholic Nuns as well. Just because Muslim women are not Catholic Nuns, that doesn't mean they are not devoted to God or they can not have their modesty in dress. Infact the headscarf is related to modesty and devotion to God from religious and spiritual perspective when it comes to Islamic perspective.Physical Nakedness or exposure that exceed limits is uncivilized, and it seems that our so called secular west wish to walk backwards in that direction whenever its possible. And if required they jump into making other to do so, if that means to take away headscarf from a woman's head. This recent news about the 11 year-old soccer player, Azzy in Canada is another example of such stupidity. What is the problem if a girl choose to play soccer with her head covered with a piece of cloth? Is that piece of covering a terrorist threat or a health hazard for other footballer?
Isn't it extremism in the name of secularism?
Read more on the headscarf issues:
:: Viewpoints: Europe and the headscarf | The Islamic headscarf has become one of the most hotly disputed items of clothing in Europe. The French ban on headscarves in state schools comes into effect on 2 September, 2004 and politicians in Germany and Belgium want similar laws. BBC News Online asked eight commentators for their views on imposing a ban on the headscarf. Click to read more.
:: Headscarf in the headlines via BBC
:: Q&A Muslim Headscarves via BBC
:: French Hijab ban from Muslim women's protest via Innovative Mind
:: Global Game's coverage abroad on headscarf in football
:: Why the French Don't Like Headscarves: Islam, the State, and Public Space (Book)
:: Canada: Muslim girl ejected from football because of hijab in Sabbah's Blog
headscarf, head, scarf, muslim, modesty, debate, news
Labels: adamandeveit, creative thoughts, headscarf, headscarves, islam, muslim, news, view, woman
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| posted by Sadiq Alam @ 7:34 PM
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16 Comments:
Mai Harajia man ud sai it not political, bat nEUYork iz good ivan with Mother Mary
First of all I must say that I am really sorry that the child was not allowed to be in the team because of her headscarf.It is not the question of Muslim,Hindu or Catholic,it is one's religious freedom and how she wants to express it.Not only Catholic Nuns but the ordinary Catholic women cover their head when they are inside a church because it is a sacred place and also if they feel like anytime when ever they want or choose.Even the Hindu and the Sikh women cover their head.
So what is their to have so much hue and cry over Hijab?If a woman wants to cover her head it is her choice which she is making.
I think there is lot of different motives behind the so called ban.May be i don't understand all but i think lot of politics is behind also.
i myself believe in freedom and whichever way the woman wants to express it ,let her choose.Let her live in freedom.
Such official silliness is meant to instill sameness and conformity in students, and I hate it. It makes schools become like prisons. A Jewish boy would not be asked to remove his skullcap.
France was also wrong in doing so.
Ya Haqq!
The choice of wearing a Hijaab is as much as a choice of someone wearing a bikini.
When women is not questioned for flaunting her assets, what makes them question someone wearing a Hijaab?
It is as much as a freedom of personal choice as much as it is an expression of ones religion or probably lesser than that.
This is disappointing news. She should be allowed to wear the headscarf. What does it hurt?
She is expressing her freedom of religion. Nothing wrong with that at all.
It also makes me think that people don't have anything better to do.
That is an excellent point on Mary and Catholic nuns. As well as Jewish skullcap.
It's sad how people think sometimes, the head-scarf has been a big issue here too.
Luckily the Swedish government have shown compassion to our hijabi sisters.
Shree,
well added point that even the ordinary catholic women cover their head inside a church out of respect to sacred place. i hv seen catholic woman in europe wearing head scarf in many ocassion. and yes in india its a common trait for hindu and sikhs as well.
Irving,
exactly. a jewish boy should not be told to remove his skullcap, neither should be a sikh man to remove his turban.
france was wrong and still wrong in the name of secularity.
Saif,
hahaha... good and valid point.
James,
indeed. ppl seriously dont have much better to do, though there are plenty other things to be done.
Shakia,
thanks for sharing the news from Sweden. i hope others respect the freedom of self-modesty.
What about the other way around? What is a woman in Iran does not want to wear HIJAB? Can she or shoul she be able to choose? Well the reality is different.....
Please use the post you are interested in. I will be glad. And btw, you write such a nice blog. Good job there.
yes indeed sneez the reality is different. although i do not support compulsion in the name of religion (which is a moral teaching of the Quran), but just as there are social rules, law and order for the sake of the society's greater good, there are issues that are similar to the example u cited.
It is interesting that you use Mary as an example of wearing a headcarf, because, in the New Testament, Paul urges Christian women to cover their head as well, to seperate themselves from the unbelievers in every way. They are also instructed not to wear makeup, jewelry or braid their hair. To paraphrase, he said that a woman's hair is her crown of glory, just as woman is crown of glory to man, and man to God. This is an instruction that is almost completely ignored by Christianity except in certain minority sects.
J. Holla
JHolla2Sophia@aol.com
You asked me to elaborate, so I will. First, here are some chapter and verse references from the New Testament..
1 Corinthians 11:3-15
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her[a] for a covering. 16
The meaning is clear. If you ask a Pastor or Minister why we do not follow this instruction from Paul, he will almost surely not have an answer. But ask him why gays cannot be married, and you'll be there for an hour.
I myself follow no organized religion, though I study them all and like pieces of many..but this is the actual text and instruction for Christians. Like I said, there are some sects of Christianity that do cover their head, but they also live in isolation from the rest of society, and they are generally thought of as of no acocunt.
I really can't speculate on why Christians don't do this. I also do not know why, when Jesus clearly instructed those who wish to follow him to wash one another's feet in a gesture of love and service to one another, Christians decided to ignore that one too...
I think, generally, people of all religions tend to ignore some precepts and obey others according to their own desires. They fashion their religion to suit their own ego's and wishes. Then they promptly begin to pass judgement on those who follow other ways. It's the Human Condition, so to speak. Most likely, it's the "devil's work"...divide and conquer, right? That is from the New Testament as well. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." "A man cannot have two masters"
Head coverings don't bother me, actually, when I have experimentally worn a scarf or shawl type thing on my own head, I will admit to having felt more...pure, peaceful and wise. Any day that I wore it, I felt clearer in mind and more peaceful. It was definitely a noticeable change...but I dont do it all the time, I feel a little out of place and stand-outish when I do..
I am of the opinion that we (humanity) are about due for a new revelation. If you look back on history, you will see that every now and again, a messenger comes to bring a new piece of the divine puzzle, krishna, buddha, moses, jesus, mohammed, we're about due...and since the Age of Aquarius is upon us, I'll bet the house it's a woman coming to bring it. So for now, I look ahead with hope and longing. :) Peace.
J. Holla
JHolla2Sophia@aol.com
what you wear is ur choice !
as long as it is a choice ! :) but if the limits of decency are broken it should be condemnded...
I'm sorry for the little child, but I congratulate her on her strong will
Saqid bro, I've been at many blogs but I see passion dripping out of every word you write, YOU CANT JUST SIT DOWN THERE AND WRITE A BLOG ! THE WORLD AWAITS YOU, THEM PEOPLE IN THE DARK AWAIT YOU !
BE THE LIGHT. BE THEIR GUIDE :) !
this is just a start, never forget that.. !
Ali Abbas
I recently had to remove my scarf in order to take a photo for my state-issued license. i understand why it was necessary, so it didn't upset me that much. what did upset me was that people were already staring at me when i walked in, and they stared even more when i took it off... it was embarassing and i wish they had provided a private space in which to take the picture, tho i suppose this doesn't come up much for them.
Personally, I think this was going a bit far because at least the girl was joining in and playing football!
Leaving this specific case apart, a lot depends on the heart of the wearer. If a person of either sex wears external symbols of modesty, what is their motive? Is it to send a message that "I am pure, and you are not"? If so, I'd say that is a greater immodesty.
I also sometimes see very young Muslim girls in full covering, obviously enforced by parents rather than they themselves. This is quite offensive, because it makes of the girl a sexual object, and sends the message to me that I view her as such; hence she needs to be protected against my lechery.
Personally, I have been in the presence of full-grown women on the beach or in a swimming pool dressed in next to nothing and never leapt on them. God gave me free will, and I know that I have enough inherent goodness not to take advantage of women or anyone else.
There is something profoundly pessimistic in a view of human nature which thinks people can't be trusted to behave well without external preventative measures being applied. How are people to develop personal morality if they are never placed in a position of choice?
People wander around naked in some regions of the earth, and yet they may still develop morality and have pretty accurate notions of what is right and what is wrong. I think this is because conscience is natural and inborn, not something that has to be artificially indoctrinated into nafs.
Mick
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