Dear Messenger,
After the comments made by the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, I thought, as a veteran-wearer of the veil (or niqaab), it would be beneficial for our multi-cultural community, to shed some light on the Muslim veil.
Contrary to popular belief, the veil is encouraged in Islam. Muslim scholars differ on the necessity of its adoption. However, it is unanimously agreed that it was the attire of the wives and daughters of our Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was sent from Allah (God) as a living example to mankind. In order to perfect one’s faith and practises, we look to the lifestyle of our beloved Prophet as a guide and want to imitate his life. As the women in his family wore the veil, then, devout Muslim women want to resemble their ‘role models’ with the hope of attaining their companionship in Paradise.
In today’s society when someone feels great admiration and love for a celebrity, they feel the need to emulate and adopt their dress, hair-styles, even eating habits. If we can accept youngsters adopting celebrity fashions, spending lavishly to buy the latest trainers etc, then can’t we accept the young women who want to show their love for their religion?
Islam encourages modesty and chastity. A covered Muslim woman no longer feels subjugated and controlled by the fashion industry. She feels liberated from the peer-pressure of society to appear attractive, she feels her body is her business and she does not need to appease her on-lookers.
If we can understand the sentiments of a young girl, wanting to dress like a catwalk model, why can’t we understand a woman wanting to cover herself to appear modest?
You may argue that she is not pleasing to the eye, especially for someone who has never encountered a woman in niqaab before (although I’m forever getting compliments for my sense of dress from non-Muslims!) The argument is valid, but can we dictate to others how they should dress? People with multiple piercings, multi-coloured hair, or even wearing little clothing can appear distasteful, but we don’t hear anyone complaining there.
Many see the veil as oppressive. I think this view has grown from negative portrayal by a biased media. The idea that women have been enshrouded in this attire by their dominant male counterparts is a myth; I began wearing the niqaab before I married my husband and many of my friends who wear it are single.
The central arguments in Jack Straw’s remarks are firstly, that the niqaab ‘hinders communication’. This is a weak argument – one does not have to see a person’s facial expressions in order to have a healthy conversation with them, otherwise how would we be able to talk over the phone? If he feels uncomfortable talking to women in niqaab, does it mean we should remove it? Many people find men dressed in suits intimidating, but does that mean we can ask Mr Straw ‘kindly’ to remove his tie before the consultation?
Secondly, he claims the veil obstructs integration. This is another invalid point. People who refuse to integrate into mainstream society will refuse to do so regardless of what they wear. Many non-practising Muslims, who I know, feel it is irrelevant to mix with people of different races. They feel superior to both non-
Muslims and to fellow Muslims of different colours and backgrounds. Practising Muslims however have the knowledge of Islam which requires us to keep good relationships with fellow citizens.
Straw’s comments however, have jeopardized these relationships to some extent. Muslim women feel ostracized and alienated as the spotlight is on them.
I would like to make a heartfelt request to all readers to respect women who are simply expressing their close relationship with God. Constant verbal abuse and revolt from passers-by can be frightening.
As legendary boxer Muhammed Ali, once said to his daughter: “The most precious gems are hidden deep under the earth. Islam regards the woman as that precious gem which is too valuable to put on show openly!”
Umm A’tika