Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans
Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, parts of Afghanistan and Indonesia), hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools and other public spaces (Turkey, Tunisia, parts of Belgium and Germany). But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.
Most recently, French President Nicholas Sarkozy proposed a ban on the burqa. His proposal follows a 2004 French law banning hijab from schools.
Bloggers around the world across the spectrum of belief have been speaking out about Sarkozy's decision. At KABOBfest, Canadian Sana writes:
By targeting how a small number of French women choose to assert and represent their sexuality, France is missing the real sources of the problem as well as implying that its foundation is perhaps far less stable than what it would like the world and its own citizenry to think. It is now time for France not to shed the various components of its identity, but rather to approach those very pieces with a broader outlook. Its minority population has been willing to adapt for decades, but can France accept minimal equity as a basis for greater equality as we have done so here in North America?
The blogger concludes with:
Mr. Sarkozy, your efforts may be sincere; you are, after all, only trying to protect the criteria for what makes one“French” enough. Remember, however, that in your attempt to free woman from her draping chains, you restrict her sexuality, her own sense of her individualism and her being to the confines of your harem by dictating the dance she must do and the garments she must wear to please you.
Algerian-American blogger The Moor Next Door echoes a similar sentiment. Arguing that Sarkozy's proposal is “bigotry dressed as gallantry,” he states:
The trouble the French may want to worry about is not the burqa as it is worn in France today, but that such a ban, as the headscarf ban has done, will make the garment a greater symbol of Muslim identity and sign of cultural defiance. France has done a good job at finding ways of alienating racial and religious minorities. Indeed, among Western nations it is a leader in this field. This is a quality that does little to further the assimilationist cause the French so actively pursue, though. The proposition comes with other baggage, too. The concern (posed by the Economist piece) that this proposed ban would be might be “misunderstood abroad,” seems foolish. What is to be misunderstood? It is precisely an effort to limit the expression of religion, Islam especially in this case, and follows from the same motivations as the earlier headscarf ban.
Farah, writing for the group blog Nuseiba, presents an excellent roundup of Australian opinions on the matter, noting:
A lot of writers (including Posetti and Hussein) against a ban point out that a number of women actively choose to wear the burqa or niqab. While the burqa has been used by groups to subjugate women, these writers highlight the need to identify the agency of these Muslim women, rather than denying them that agency which a ban would do.
Faith-based blogger Tracy Simmons, from the United States, sees the issue as a simple one. Asking Sarkozy not to strip women of their dignity, she pleads:
I don’t think people realize that wearing the burqa is a choice for many Islam women. And because it’s a choice, they shouldn’t be forced by a government NOT to wear it.
Of course, not all bloggers are opposed to Sarkozy's ban. Popular Egyptian blogger and columnist Mona Eltahawy, who famously took off her own headscarf a few years ago (an experience which she has written about on her blog) wrote an op-ed for The New York Times in which she stated that, as a woman and a Muslim, she was opposed to the burqa being worn anywhere.
One U.S.-based blogger, Anne of Carversville, expresses her support for Eltahawy by saying:
I’m sensitive to the delicate nature of change in politics, but I have not lived my life to hear in 2009 that I’m offbase, because I believe that burqas debase women, erasing them from society as Eltahawy argues.
In formalizing my position against burqas, I am in no way affronted by the more conservative form of dress chosen by many Muslim women. I am not opposed to head coverings of any kind.
More broadly, the blogger adds:
At the same time, I support and advocate the embracing of life’s sensuality — seeing, hearing, smelling and using all our sensitivity to experience life. This view does not put me in opposition to Muslim culture, which also embraces the deeply sensual nature of life.
I will also accept burqas for women when men are equally compelled to wear them. For both genders to embrace burqas as a sign of respect for their religion (which does not require them in the Koran), then I agree that burqas are a sign of Muslim culture and religious custom.
Eltahawy's column was not without opposition from the blogosphere, however. Sahar, writing for Nuseiba, protests:
…the best way to support Muslim women is to respect their choice in how they express their religion and culture. It is not to impose what we think is good for them. I find it ironic that Eltahawy who claims to be a feminist is ignoring the importance of choice, agency and the lived experiences of these women— which are essential factors in understanding women in feminist analysis.
Nor do we all agree with Eltahawy who, perhaps due to her socially privileged position is detached from the social, political and religious motivations for wearing burqa, and can’t comprehend how it can be a vehicle of success for some or a proud reinforcement of Muslim identity for others. The burqa can be understood as a symbol of the outrage Muslims are feeling as they are exposed to an increasingly xenophobic Europe. It’s symbolic of an attempt to cling on to an identity that is being eroded in a hostile environment. I write this piece now after just reading about an Egyptian woman who was stabbed in a German court 18 times by the man she was suing for harassing her for wearing a headscarf. It is not the burqa alone that is being undermined and discredited but Islamic dress entirely. Therefore, the call to remove the burqa cannot be devoid of such a context and for Eltahawy to think that divorcing her criticism from such a context as viable is politically naïve.
Though it remains to be seen whether or not France will implement a ban on the burqa, one thing is certain: this is a very polarizing topic around the world.
27 comments
“It’s also surprising for me that a minority community tries to impose their way of traditions to the host country.” no one is trying to impose their way of life. No one says that those in the western societies should conform to us but that we should not be forced to conform to their ways if it means discarding our rights, dignity and religious convictions. Personally I wouldn’t wear a burqa but I don’t think the choice should be taken away. And about this why do Muslims come to the west if they won’t be like westerners mindset I can’t answer for all Muslims. What I can say is those who’ve left my country (Somalia) left because of the civil war. Others left for whatever reasons they have and most aren’t about earning dollars euros and pounds. And I don’t understand how my choice to wear a hijab would be detrimental to anyone. “When we go to your country we have to respect your customs what about respecting ours.” how does my hijab disrespect your customs. What does the fact that I don’t look like you offend you? I don’t see how I should apologize and conform in order to appease ignorance. Wherever I go I am Muslim and I will behave accordingly. If anyone has issues with how specific countries operate then understand it is that countries government that makes the laws and not the people. So imposing penalties on women abroad in order to stand against injustices across oceans is really counterproductive. It merely alienates and oppresses an entirely unrelated group. Forcing me not to wear hijab isn’t going to change the way Iran or Saudi Arabia operates. Besides Muslims come from such a wide variety of countries that you can’t use the way a few countries operate and relate it to all Muslims.
“And I don’t understand how my choice to wear a hijab would be detrimental to anyone.”
Naeima, it is not your choice that is the problem, but your attitude and actions. Personally I don’t care if a woman uses a bikini or burka, or even if she wears a blanket over the burqa. In fact, the burqa sends a very clear message about your moral position on issues such as freedom and equality, right and wrong, truth and deception.
I do care that you defend the burqa but refuse even to mention the women that must use it against their will . You are offended by the idea that a Western government might institute a dress code but have no problem when dozens of Islamic countries impose their codes. You blame it on the “countries” and “governments” as if the people of those countries and Islam had nothing to do with this situation. You have one set of standards for Western societies and another for Muslim countries. You talk about our rights, dignity and religious convictions, but seem to think that these apply only to certain people.
Let me answer your question plainly: Your hijab offends me because it represents a religion that practices discrimination everywhere it dominates.
The burka and veil do not exist by themselves, but are part of a larger context that means oppression, sharia, apostasy laws, discrimination against minorities, fgm, forced marriage, honor killings, lack of human rights. Note that in your own words you said that taking a stand against injustice is counterproductive. oh? Why?
Your attitude gives support and confort to those vile people that force women to wear hajib and burka against their will.
J, that is quite possibly the first time we’ve ever agreed on something. I too feel that the same set of standards should be applied to all countries – just as women in France should be permitted to wear a burqa if they so desire, they should not be forced to do so in Saudi Arabia if they don’t wish to (nor should I have to wear hijab at all there). I respect that there needs to be a general guideline in all cultures as to appropriate/inappropriate dress (in the US, you can’t just walk the streets nude, can you?), but such guidelines should come naturally and not be imposed by law.
Jill.
Now I am worried about you. Agreeing with me may not be good for you. Or maybe it is that I am not used to it. Maybe I should be worried.
I really don’t see any chance of any consensus on these issues. They are too divisive and too many people have too much to gain by causing trouble and conflict. What is offensive to some is divine grace to others. Human nature is a very ugly thing.
What I am sure of (kinda) is that dialogue will not hurt, even if makes many people unhappy. The truth may not always prevail but it should be heard. If you have a position and believe in it you should be able to defend it. If you can’t, then you need to reexamine your position. Anyway, words are better than swords or bombs.
Take care.
Kactuz
PS: Have seen quail but not little ones. Did thy survive? Don’t know.
I enjoyed the different opinions presented over this article, but Jillian, have you read Yvonne Ridley‘s opinion on this issue? Check here latest article over here website.
“In fact, the burqa sends a very clear message about your moral position on issues such as freedom and equality, right and wrong, truth and deception.”
Let’s be clear first hijab and burqa are not interchangeable.
And I can’t be held responsible for your misconception about my moral positions. You can’t look at me and decide who I am and what I think. We’re human beings try talking to us before making those decisions for us.
“Your hijab offends me because it represents a religion that practices discrimination everywhere it dominates.”
Islam itself does not make women and men unequal. Men and women are both urged and encouraged to seek knowledge. If a countries laws make that more difficult for a woman that can’t be blamed on Islam.
I have no problems with the burqa if it’s what a woman chooses. Look I don’t agree that anyone can force a woman to wear it either. Personally I think if you have faith in god you should stand back and let god judge them. No human being should make those decisions for another because no human being can be held accountable for the actions of another.
And I said “If anyone has issues with how specific countries operate then understand it is that countries government that makes the laws and not the people. So imposing penalties on women abroad in order to stand against injustices across oceans is really counterproductive. It merely alienates and oppresses an entirely unrelated group. ”
That doesn’t mean that “taking a stand against injustice is counterproductive.”
It means a law in France or America taking away the right to wear hijab won’t make Iran change their laws about hijab. it’s counterproductive because it does exactly what it condemns takes away a woman’s freedom to dress as she chooses. I thought I was making myself clear but I guess not.
And lastly “Naeima, it is not your choice that is the problem, but your attitude and actions.”
You have never met me how in the world would you see yourself as fit to judge me and my beliefs.
Does anyone know if Bikini is banned on Islamic beaches? See the point here?
Depends on how you define “Islamic beach.” There are plenty of Muslim-majority countries (e.g. Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Malaysia) where one can wear a bikini on the beach. I mean, no, you can’t wear a bikini in Saudi Arabia (unless, I suppose, it were a women-only swimming area), but I don’t see how this compares.