Thread: What the Hijab means to Muslim women

I totally agree with members misgivings about random people not uncovering in places like banks, for example. A solution could be found, if we tried hard enough. Only by working together with the muslim community can this happen.It wouldn't be easy, there are many prejudices and phobias in the way, but I believe we must try. It would be the first step in a long road to peaceful assimilation of these new Australians into our community. [ just like the wogs, dagoes, micks etc , in the past. Remember them?] That's tongue in cheek, by the way. As for religion, I have seen the most devout atheist convert to religion in harms way, if only until the danger has passed.

would you say that different beliefs in the Muslim World, eg Sunni/ Shia , behave differently in this regard. I am like most Australians, I do not understand the muslim World. I think it is important that we try.
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I don't have much experience with Shias, but from observation and news reports about Iran, it seems to me that Shias are much more relaxed about women's dress than Sunnis, however you have to remember that Sunni Saudi Arabia is an extreme version of Islam in the Wahabi cult. You see women with colourful scarves and makeup on in clips from Teheran .

Saudi Arabia is really a conglomeration of Bedouin tribes held together by strategic marriages and giveaways by the royal family. Eg when I was there the Royals bought 20000 Toyota Hiluxes and distributed them to the tribes.

Each country seems to have it's own interpretation of Islam eg In Malaysia a guard dog is a great thing as their interpretation is that if they are touched by a dog they have to do ritual washing etc, whereas in Saudi Arabia there are many farm dogs and as long as you don't eat from the same plate it is OK.
AFAIK the increased wearing of headscarves etc and Burkas in Malaysia, is a response to the criticism of the religion in the west. They seem to have adopted a "seige mentality" where their pride in Islam needs to be affirmed.

This "Burka in Court" stuff in Oz is just a cynical attempt to subvert our law and show their contempt for secular law rather than Sharia, and of course a Sydney woman got away with an offence by claiming lack of identity proof.

I think that Burka wearing is a function of deprived education, and maybe social pressure both by older women and men, and reflects a primitive mindset.

You have to remember that in Saudi particularly women are regarded as the temptresses who lead poor stupid men into sin/vice by their manipulating ways , so they have to be controlled by stopping them driving, having separate areas in buses, segregation at swimming pools,and they have to hide their most potent asset which is considered to be their hair.

Regards Philip A

[QUOTE=PhilipA;26167
AFAIK the increased wearing of headscarves etc and Burkas in Malaysia, is a response to the criticism of the religion in the west. They seem to have adopted a "seige mentality" where their pride in Islam needs to be affirmed.

This "Burka in Court" stuff in Oz is just a cynical attempt to subvert our law and show their contempt for secular law rather than Sharia, and of course a Sydney woman got away with an offence by claiming lack of identity proof.



Regards Philip A[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Philip. Seems to me whenever a group of people feel threatened, they circle the wagons, look inward to each other, and it becomes us,& them. From here its not hard for radicals from both sides to hijack the agenda, and the situation can get out of control. I'm sure moderates from both camps are working hard for a solution. The Australian public have to be kept informed on progress in this regard, as do moderate muslims. I have every faith that we will work our way through this, as long as radicals from both sides are kept under control.

That's the catch.. moderate...

There is no room for moderate in the Old Testament, New Testament or Quran...

Those that pick and choose verse and passage to abide by are fence sitting...

Originally Posted by Tombie

That's the catch.. moderate...

There is no room for moderate in the Old Testament, New Testament or Quran...

Those that pick and choose verse and passage to abide by are fence sitting...

"Fence Sitters"?....Yes, PLENTY of them about.......and the Burka is NOT compulsory. We know several Muslims who we have never seen in one.
Pickles.

Originally Posted by Tombie

That's the catch.. moderate...

There is no room for moderate in the Old Testament, New Testament or Quran...

Those that pick and choose verse and passage to abide by are fence sitting...

Now, that is a radical statement. Puts you in their camp.

There are many different interpretations of Muslim practices, so you can't generalize.
Nor can you assume that it is men making women cover up. That happens of course, but there are also plenty of Muslim women who choose to dress modestly, sometimes because they want to protect themselves from being ogled by men.
This idea that other people, particularly men, have the right to tell women how to dress is the problem, I think. After all, if we think it's wrong to tell women to cover up then we have to accept it's also wrong to tell women NOT to cover up.
Why don't we blokes just shut up and let women run their own lives?


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Originally Posted by bob10

Now, that is a radical statement. Puts you in their camp.

Bob, you're a learned individual.. have you read the books?

Nothing radical about my statement... it's what the books say that is to the radical end..

There isn't room in them for interpretation so people pick and choose the mild parts where they see fit and ignore what the book(s).

Christianity and Islam both have specific treatment of certain "sins".... the books are very clear...

Just a quick example: Lev. 20:13:
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

Now to be VERY CLEAR - I have NO problems what lifestyle choices people make...

But the Book - it's pretty bloody clear on how it should be played out.... Mild? Nope...