Why I As A Muslim Woman Don't Wear A Headscarf

international | gender and sexuality | other press

Thursday April 14, 2011 18:15

by Lamya Kaddor

Lamya Kaddor confronts the myths regarding the wearing of the Hijab. She shows that this is not an observance required by Islam. Rather it is an invention of misogynistic mullahs. Full text at link.

However, if God had required a special head covering, would He not have said so explicitly? The khimâr thus merely constitutes a 'fashion accessory' according to the spirit of that age. Viewed rationally, functions consciously or unconsciously associated with head coverings across the course of history – such as protection against sand or evil influences – are all superannuated today and have lost their validity. People's powers of imagination have changed.

Lamya Kaddor

Today's orthodox comprehension of the obligation to wear a head covering is primarily based on the interpretations of scholars who lived several generations after the Prophet Mohammed. One can follow their judgements but they are not sacrosanct. As human beings all scholars are fallible. Conservative and fundamentalist circles constantly emphasise that our behaviour should follow the Koran and the Prophet. Their spokesmen maintain that this directly accords with what was laid down during the Prophet's lifetime and the initial period of Islam.

However in reality this view is mainly based on the ideas of scholars who lived some 600 (!) years later – such people as Ibn Qudâma (d. 1223), Ibn Taymîya (d. 1328), or the latter's pupil Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzîya (d. 1350). Bearing in mind the patriarchal social structures of that time, it is unsurprising that interpretations of sources concerning relations between the sexes were usually unfavourable for women – even though that contradicts a striving (to be found throughout the Koran) towards improving women's situation.

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Comments (2 of 2)

koran never said anything about wearing this ridiculous costume

by V for vendetta

Thu Apr 14, 2011 23:17

The koran only said that a woman should "dress modestly". Thats not unreasonable and leaves lots of flexibility of dress for a woman.

Misogynist men decided that that meant the ridiculous hijab or niquab. These men just wanted to oppress women.

Its got so bad that women are now oppressing themselves. Pure stockholm syndrome.

Brave stand. I commend you on your courage standing up to these violent bullies who don't even read their own holy book properly and try to twist it to their own misogynistic ends.

Face-Veil Ban: Mixed Muslim Reactions

by Yoginder Sikan

Sun Apr 17, 2011 13:31

The French ban on the Muslim face veil that came into effect earlier this week has added new dimensions to on-going debates about secularism, democracy, religion, identity, the freedom of choice and gender justice. There is no simple answer to many of the troubling questions that the ban has provoked. Unequivocally approving or condemning the ban, to take any particular side in the fiercely polarised debate about the ban, is not an easy option...

A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Yoginder Sikand works with the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion at the National Law School, Bangalore.

Full text at link.

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Why I As A Muslim Woman Don't Wear A Headscarf

Comments (2 of 2)