Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu ! BLESSED JUMUAH ! :) :) :) :) The Niqab & Burqa *UNCOVERING THE FACTS* The burqa and niqab have become a topic of much controversy and heated debate. A number of countries have banded the wearing of these religious garments, while others have considered banning or limiting their use. Many arguments have been made against the wearing of the burqa & niqab,claiming they are anti-social,backward,oppressive, and not part of ISLAM. This pamphlet discusses the the burqa and niqab from an Islamic viewpoint and addresses the many concerns and allegations made against the wearing of these garments. TYPES OF ISLAMIC DRESS O Prophet ! Tell your wives and your daughters , as well as believing women,that they should draw over themselves some of their outer garments [when in public] : this will be more conductive to their being recognised as decent women and not molested. (Quran 33:59) There are three main types of Islamic dress relating to women when in PUBLIC. 1.Hijab : This is the most common type of Islamic dress ,which covers the womens body,leaving only her face and hand visible. 2.Niqab : This type is like the hijab,except it also covers part of the face,leaving only the eyes visible. 3.Burqa : This type is the least common, and involves covering the whole body as well as covering the face with mesh,so that the eyes are not visible. The Hijab can generally be found amongst Msulim Woamen all over the world, while the niqab & burqa are more common in specific regions. It is noy obligatory for a Muslim woman to dress in one above fashions in front of other women. It is only obligatory in the presence of men who are not closely related to her, as prescribed in Islam. AN ESTABLISHED PRACTICE There is no dounbt that both the burqa and niqab have an Islam basis,and that both gave been commonly practiced and recognized by Muslims throughout history . Islmamic text texts make it very clear that the hijab is compulsory for Muslim women to observe. Consequently, Islma scholars have agreed the burqa & niqab are part of Islam,but have differed as to whether they are compulsory or optional acts of virtue. This expalins why some Muslim women wear the hijab, whileothers decide to wear niqab or burqa. COMMON ALLEGATIONS *Note :This pamphlet will refer to both niqab and burqa simply as the burqa for the remaining sections. It is oppressive Muslim women who choose to wear the burqa do so out of thier own free will,believing it is an act of worship and a form of liberation from the objectification of women in modern society. In fact, preventing Muslim women from practising their religion is what is truly OPPRESSIVE. Niqab is a very liberating and empowering experience. It allows me to realize my goals by having a career and going to school without worrying about the prying eyes of men. It forces people not to judge me based on my appearance,but on my thoughts and character.-Ms. Flavia ,22,USA. It is backwards The burqa is not prat of a short-lived fashion trend.It is a religious garment and act of worship which is not sebject to time and therefore,does not become outdated.In fact, burqa is gaining much popularity in modern societies,especially amongst Western conver women. My body is my business, and I shouldnt have to defend what I wear to anyone. The burqa is part of my religion,and the fact that I choose to wear it does not make me any less human. -Ms. Yasmin,21,Aus. It is intimidating While the burqa may appear intimidating to some people,it is not worn with the intention of being threatening or frightening .People are often intimidated by what they have no knowledge of,and the burqa is a piece of cloth which not warrant fearful reaction.Underneath the burqa is person simply trying to practice thier religion.It is interesting to note that other forms of dress and appearance are no longer considered intimidating,as they have become accepted by thw wider community, Tattoos,extremely short dresses, revealing clothes,body piercing and outlandish hairstyles are all examples of this phenomena. It is a form of male domination Wearing the burqa doest not in any way suggest that women are inferior to men. Claiming that burqa is a symbol of male domination goes against the fact that many women voluntarily wear the burqa, even though some have no male relatives, or wear it against their male relatives wishes. It is anti-social There is nothing in the burqa that prevents a woman from interacting with other members of society,or from partcipating in the community .In factmNiether the hijab nor the burqa are required when among women only. It stops women from contributing to society Wearing a burqa does not stop a woman from contributing to society or fron pursuing higher education.There are many womean who wear the burqa are very highly educated,or lead very successful careers. Every woman who wears a burqa is a unique individual,and it is unfair and inaccurate to make a sweeping judgement about all such women based on one item of clothing they have in common. From the very advent of Islam,Aisha,the wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was and still is renowned as one of the greatest Islami scholars to have ever lived. That fact she wore the burqa did not,in any wat,hinder her becoming such as a prominent scholar or from teaching the mean and women of her society. It is a security risk Burqas are no more of a security risk than a motorcycle helmet,big fashion sunglasses,pr a big beanie,and can be rmoved when identification is required should be done by another woman and not in the presence of men (where possible). It is against community values Wearing the buqra does not go against acceptable community valeus. Community values necessitate that people should not be judged by what they wear , nor discriminated agaisnt or mistreated,based on their choice of clothing or appearance. WHY PEOPLE FEAR THE BURQA Does it make sense to pass judgement on someone without first verifying the facts ? No doubt seeing woman wearing the burqa is strange for many people. It is not a common sight,as only a minority of Muslim women wear it, and as such it is new and unfamiliar to many.This fact does not make the burqa something which ought to be feared or hated. The fierce media campaign of fear which has been launched against the burqa has caused many people to pass judgement on this Islamic practice without habing any knowledge of its significance .It is important to consider who benefits from such prejudiced propaganda . Some political parties,for example,capitalize on peoples misunderstandings and fears in order to make political gains. THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION & EXPRESSION Modern societies were founded on the basis of freedom and liberty. This entitles their members to freely practice their own religion and dress as they wish .Banning the burqa goes against these very core values,and is a form of hypocrisy and double standards. In fact,there are international laws which explicity ecsure peoples right to expression and to practice their religion : International Covenant on Civil Political Rights Article 18:1 . Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought,conscience and religion. This right shall includes freedom to manifest his religion or belief in worship,observance,practice and teaching. Futhermore,banning a religous item based merely on emotional rhetoric may open the door to further discrimination and human rights abuses. It is worth noting that Nazi Germany first began with minor discrimination agaisnt jews and other minorities,then , when that was accepted, proceeded with more severe repression. #WALLAHU_ALAM :) :) :) #TO_BE_CONTINUED_IN_Shaa_ALLAH ! #MASSALAMAH ! :D :D :D #MAAF_IF_THERE_IS_MIS_SPELLED_WORDS_DUE_TO_MISTYPE :( :( :(
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:03:58 +0000
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