I have long been fascinated by a woman’s decision (free or not) to cover herself with the hijab, niqab or burqa. As part of her religion, I understand the compelling need to adhere to its traditions, but I am more interested in the deeper issue of why exactly, it is necessary. Overwhelmingly, Muslim women claim that it is liberating and gives them a feeling of self respect, protection and confidence. Covering up protects them from the inquisitive eyes of men. It “stems from male jealousy and the subjugation of women.”*
A Muslim woman should only reveal herself to her close male relatives. God understands that men cannot help their unholy sexual feelings and should be shielded from a woman’s allure. This will allow marriages to be strong and long lasting. The basic presumption is that men can’t control themselves and it is the woman’s responsibility to temper this by her actions and attire.
What irritates me about the hijab and burqa, is its symbolic willingness to forgive men’s indecent urges: the acceptance that revealing a woman’s beauty is potentially harmful to her. Whilst part of being male and human is to fantasize about sex, I’m not sure that the style of a woman’s clothing affects that to any significant degree. Is a man more aroused in summer than winter? Do sexual assault statistics vary according to fashion? From what statistics are available, Muslim women are no safer from sexual assault in their own countries than their Western counterparts. Women are still vulnerable no matter what clothes they choose to wear.
In the East and the West, the onus is on the woman to avoid sexual assault and keep herself safe from sexually deviant and violent men. This is the essence of the problem. Being raped or abused is not the fault of the victim. It is the perpetrator’s fault and this is what needs to be accepted and dealt with. “Eradicating rape depends as much on educating people about this crime as it does on legal reform”.** In many Muslim countries, the rape of a woman is her own fault anyway, and she is heavily punished for it, often by stoning. How does the Muslim woman reconcile that? She already taken away the temptation by covering her beauty. Isn’t that enough?
In Canada recently, a policeman told a group of schoolgirls that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” It’s a distinctly Muslim point of view and not uncommon in the West. If a woman was raped here when dressed conservatively, would that make the crime more punishable? Most women do feel safer when covering their beauty than when revealing it and that is the tragedy. Dressing to diminish the danger makes it her fault.
Outrage at the Canadian policeman’s comments has resulted in the worldwide ‘SlutWalk’. It’s taking place in Melbourne this Saturday and I think it’s brilliant. If you’re a woman, gay, a geek, transvestite, overweight, tattooed, disabled, retarded, Asian, African, Muslim, a ‘wog’, Aboriginal, or a person that has in any way felt the glare of public dissaproval then you should march too. Wearing your identity should not make you a target of rape or violence. We must avoid symbolically wearing the burqa and instead make violence and vilification unacceptable.
We are our best when we are accepted for the person we are regardless of what we wear or how we look. The society we live in is enriched when it’s people are given the right to freely express themselves. Veiling our beauty, our identity, is not the answer. Women dressing as ‘sluts’? Bring it on! “All the freaky people make the beauty of the world”. Michael Franti
Michelle Temminghoff
*Father Samir Khalir Samir, famous orientalist, Islamic scholar, and author of the book 111 Questions on Islam: Samir Khalil Samir on Islam and the West
**Joanna Bourke, professor and author of Rape: Sex, Violence, History.
"Niquabitches"
Here's an interesting video. A couple of French students decided to protest against the country's new law banning the burqa. I love the irreverence of it and the the way it reveals the taboos that exist simultaneously around modesty and exhibitionism. I post it with complete respect towards the Muslim faith.
