Solitary Confinement
Muslim women are reduced to a pair of eyes, like a prisoner in solitary confinement, by their burkhas. And why? Religious reasons? Nope, says a Canadian Muslim. Tarek Fatah lifts the veil on the veil in the Calgary Herald:
Barely a week goes by when my religion Islam does not face a fresh round of scrutiny. If it is not a suicide bomber blowing himself up in an Iraqi mosque screaming "Allahu akbar," it is news that an Imam in Malaysia has declared the practice of Yoga sinful.If it is not a Toronto imam defending suicide bombing on TVO, a Muslim woman writes a column in a Canadian daily, advocating the introduction of sharia in Canada.
But the one topic that rears its head in almost predictable cycles is the subject of a Muslim woman's supposed Islamic attire.
Whether it is swimming pools or polling booths there is no escape from the repeated controversies surrounding the face mask, better known as the niqab or burka.
The latest incarnation of the niqab controversy surfaced this week when a Toronto judge ordered a Muslim woman to take off her niqab when she testified in a case of sexual assault.
The woman invoked Islam as the reason why she wanted to give testimony while wearing a face mask. She told the judge, "It's a respect issue, one of modesty," adding Islam considers her niqab as her "honour."
Her explanations were rejected by the judge who determined that the woman's "religious belief" was not that strong and that in his opinion the woman was asking to wear the niqab as "a matter of comfort."
But all of these arguments are premised on the acceptance of the myth that a face mask for women is Islamic religious attire.
Humbug.
There is no requirement in Islam for Muslim women to cover their face.
The niqab is the epitome of male control over women.
It is a product of Saudi Arabia and its distortion of Islam to suit its Wahabbi agenda, which is creeping into Canada.
If there is any doubt that the niqab is not required by Islam, take at look at the holiest place for Muslims -- the grand mosque in Mecca, the Ka'aba. For over 1,400 years Muslim men and women have prayed in what we believe is the House of God and for all these centuries woman have been explicitly forbidden from covering their faces.
via Robert W
"The vast majority of Muslims look on in shock, unable to understand why this country would tolerate the oppression of women in the name of religion and multiculturalism." So I'm waiting for your view on this statement.
As far as why the don't speak out. It is the same as living next to a crazy neighbor (been there once). Do you avoid them or confront them and risk a fire fight. Hint: Most people will choose option A. Many of the brave bastards that choose B are now dead. BTW if your peaceful Muslim and you grab an AKM and hose the violent ones what then do you become???
vlad at February 6, 2009 6:13 AM
SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CHIOCKEN SHIT COWARD YOU ARE
lujlp at February 6, 2009 8:22 AM
Uh, lujlp, are you ok??
sarah at February 6, 2009 8:36 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/02/06/solitary_confin.html#comment-1625256">comment from sarahluj is dyslexic, but his mind works just fine. We find his wording charming around these parts.
Amy Alkon
at February 6, 2009 8:44 AM
In the Old Testament, women who covered their faces were advertising that they were prostitutes.
Tyler at February 6, 2009 9:44 AM
Is it just me, or have others also noticed that "official" women's groups have uttered barely a peep in support of these women to not be covered up?
Robert W. at February 6, 2009 10:02 AM
"SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CHIOCKEN SHIT COWARD YOU ARE" Oh I had it out with him. The result was he was still bat shit crazy and I ended up 10 minutes late for an appointment. Short of killing him nothing would have helped and I doubt the cops would have looked to fondly at me for it.
vlad at February 6, 2009 10:47 AM
"Is it just me, or have others also noticed that "official" women's groups have uttered barely a peep in support of these women to not be covered up?" Yeah and those women are here in the US and a hell of a lot safer then the women over there. So it's either multiculturalism or fear not sure which.
vlad at February 6, 2009 10:50 AM
"The niqab is the epitome of male control over women."
That and it's also a way to avoid the dreaded "male gaze." Maybe that's why women's groups don't oppose it too vehemently?
Covering upp like that has some, some, practical use in the god-awful climates where some of these poeple come from - it keeps the dust out of your hair and keeps your skin from shrivelling in the sun. But it has become a psychological crutch for both the women and the men in these societies. Sick. And there is no place whatsoever for it when they move to Western countries.
Jim at February 6, 2009 1:30 PM
They don't object to it because today's women's groups are run by forth wave feminists, and that type of feminist is positively Victorian in their sexuality. They view sex as rape, men as predators, and the universe as personally oppressive.
In their eyes, the veil is a step in the right direction.
stevieray at February 6, 2009 8:40 PM
In this situation I can see both sides. Yes the burka seems degrading and purely a means of control for these amazingly strong women. I think that any woman, western or eastern or in the middle, where ever you may live, should step back and take a good look at this practice. My views on this have actually been swayed recently to that of more or less acceptance and understanding. I don't claim I know it all about the reasons they wear them etc but I got a pretty good look a week or two ago. I was watching No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, an older episode. On season 4 on episode 13, Anthony had a competition where viewers gave him reasons why he should go with them to visit their country. A Saudi Arabian woman won. And it is such a beautiful country. Eventually they broached the subject of the woman's attire and the separation of single men and well basically, families. She explained that it was more like casting out the single men so they didn't bother the families and women wear the robes etc for modesty. They can wear what they want at home. And let me tell you. They had some great outfits. And yes completely covering the face is optional. But my point is, how can we hate something that fosters any type of respect for the female form. I'm not trying to say I'm right. I just hope some people watch the show and maybe just maybe become a little bit more accepting to another way of life.
Lea at February 9, 2009 5:27 AM
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