France has now officially outlawed the Islamic niqab or burqa in public. French President Sarkozy said in 2009, "The issue of the burqa is not a religious issue, it is a question of freedom and of women's dignity ... The burqa is not a religious sign; it is a sign of the subjugation, of the submission of women. I want to say solemnly that it will not be welcome on our territory."
This statement by Sarkozy isn't going to save any Muslim woman's self-respect or free her from her oppressor by forcing her indoors and out of public life. If a woman is being forced to wear the burqa or niqab by a dictatorial husband or father, the French have just made it more difficult for her to break free from her oppressor. However, most Muslim women choose to wear the niqab of their own free will, and with this ban France has just pushed another segment of their Muslim population further from the mainstream. France outlawed the hijab, or the simple headscarf in public schools and institutions in 2004, and it has forced girls who want an education to either compromise their religious values, or compromise their academic and professional future. Where's the liberté in that?
A small minority of Muslim women in certain parts of the world wear what is known as the abaya (black cloak) and the niqab (face veil). It is known as a burqa in South and Central Asia and seen most often as the blue full-body veil worn by Afghan women. This form of covering is the manifestation of the strictest interpretation of modesty in Islam. Women who choose this practice consider themselves seriously observant Muslims and believe this form of dress allows them to move about the outside world while protecting their dignity.
People get nervous around these women. I have often heard the refrain, "You need to see a person's face to judge their character." I disagree based on my own experience with Muslim women who wear the niqab. I have always known them as highly disciplined, and solid in their faith convictions despite society's derision. They believe in keeping their physical attributes out of the public conversation by covering. While I don't subscribe to this strict interpretation of Islamic modesty, I respect the woman who does.
Case in point: I had been corresponding with a young woman in regard to a part-time position on the behalf of one of my clients. The job would include conducting various marketing events within her local Muslim community. Because she lives in another city, I had no chance to meet her until this weekend when I traveled there. Because I am familiar with this city's Muslim community, I was not surprised to meet her wearing a black abaya and black headscarf. She and I had coffee in a café, and as the interview progressed she proved to be everything her emails and our previous phone conversations led me to believe about her without the benefit of a face-to-face meeting. She is an extremely enthusiastic and professional young woman filled with exciting ideas for marketing my client's product. Toward the end of the conversation she mentioned that she usually wore the niqab face veil but she decided that she would not don it for our meeting in case I would be uncomfortable. I told her I wouldn't have been bothered by it in the least. I felt sorry she had come out without her veil on my account -- but to be fair, she didn't know me. While she knew that I'm also a Muslim, she couldn't be sure I wouldn't discriminate against her on behalf of my client. After I assured her that her faith practices are her own business, and that my client has great respect for Muslims, she visibly relaxed and we continued our conversation.
Her character, personality and professionalism were evident long before I saw her clothing, or her face. In her American city she happily moves about her neighborhood dressed the way the French have now outlawed. She told me the Muslims are an integral part of her city's greater community, and she is very comfortable wherever she goes in her graceful, black garments. I will recommend that my client hire this young woman; I'm completely confident that she is going to far exceed the expectations we had for this position.
As I've written before, if you strip a woman of what she feels is her dignity, you'll have a lot of indignant women. We all know American women can become pretty indignant if someone tells us what not to wear.
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Yusra Tekbali: My Life as a Libyan-American Muslim Woman
Q and A on French Burqa Ban: We Are Not 'Submissive to Men'
France's burqa ban in effect next month - CNN
France BURQA BAN: French Parliament Approves Ban On Face Veils
http://dysonshow.org/audio/DYSON2011/DYSONSHOW/MEDS04-19-11.mp3
Now, on a practical level, this is law does nothing but appease the right and exploit the insecurity of non-Muslims in France. Less than 1% of French Muslim women wear the veil. Survey data has shown French Muslims are supportive of the Republic's secular laws. French Muslims are far more integrated into French society than they get credit for. Banning the veil will not stop Muslims from "Christianizing" their names in order to get a job. Muslim youth will still be scared to travel to city centers because they will be harassed by the police. At the end of the day this law does nothing to integrate Muslims, and is designed satisfy the right.
Where does that leave us, kiddies ? "Where, Mr. Gabriel ??" I'm glad you asked !!
Plainly put, some Muslims think it's just fabulous - others think it blows turkey snot. The point is, it is the law in France, and there are clearly a majority of people there who think it's a damn spanky idea, and have their reasons for feeling so.
Do you or I agree ? Maybe you do, maybe you don't. Will it matter to the French? 'Fraid not.
Chips, anyone ?
"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (I Cor. 11:3
"For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man (I Cor. 11- 8)
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." (Ephesians 5:22)
58:1 (Y. Ali) Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the woman who pleads with thee concerning her husband and carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah. and Allah (always) hears the arguments between both sides among you: for Allah hears and sees (all things).
4:19 (Y. Ali) O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness,
33:35 (Y. Ali) For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.
Say good night Gracie...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/henry-samuel/8454833/So-whose-liberty-equality-fraternity-is-really-at-stake.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-new-french-revolution/article1984444/
In it, she thoroughly debunks the myth that the French are victimizing women by passing this law.
"In the perilous swamp of global speculations about the Muslim faith, the French have stolen the march by preventing women from being victimized. The wearing of the hijab and the niqab has nothing to do with Islam, and is an insult to men, women and children everywhere. The French government’s refusal to allow this medieval symbol of repression to flourish in its nation is an undeniable act of courage."
-- Albert Einstein
- Mohandas Gandhi
Anyway, this quotation is possibly THE BEST argument I could have ever imagined for ridding society of oppressive symbols like identity-concealing garments. Thanks!
Brainwashing is not freedom, no matter how you dress it up. Religions inculcate. They do not free.
Therefor to answer the specific question from the article... "Where's the liberté in that?"
The liberty, is the liberty from the slavery imposed by the religion. Once a religion has its hooks in a person this claim from the article becomes meaningless "...most Muslim women choose to wear the niqab of their own free will..."
They have no meaningful freewill to make such a choice in the first place.
Now, in France, it has become the law that covering one's face is forbidden. Whatever label you wish to slap on this, it is still the law. OBEY THE DAMN LAW.
Simple.
OBEY THE DAMN LAW." Said the Selma (Alabama)Police officer. "Thats it, let the dogs loose!"
So it should be illegal because of what YOU feel the burka means, because of what YOU find offensive?
Who made you grand pooba?
Personally, I find butt thongs with low cut jeans, a tramp stamp and stripper heels oppressive but I think it should be up to the individual to decide for themselves. To me this is what democracy and freedom are about.
The video above has three different Muslim womens point of view on the subject. You might learn something by watching it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXzUuKdfnRE&feature=related
1. Let's talk what bible says about women covering their heads. Read Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.
2. The more the media blows it out of proportion, more people are actually getting interested in Islam. Its for the same reason maximum no of reverts are from western lands. Probably the reason why Islam is fastest growing religion in west and elsewhere.
3. People who want to base their views only on media. I would advise then to get a English translation of Quran and read for yourself and then judge. If you want i can send you a free copy at your address.
I wish all of you peace.
Its generally not a bad idea to get yourselves educated first before commenting on a particular topics.
I don't think there is anything wrong as long as fundamentals of the religion are correct. As for Islam i challenge you point out a single fundamental from Quran which is against the humanity as such. I would appreciate if you would tell the exact verse which you which you find against humanity.
Wish you peace.
muslims choose to push themselvs from french society , and certinly , if muslims women cant push away male oppression in liberal france , its impossible for them to do it in Islamic states where the Law favours a Man word against any women claim .