Stop sarcasm about Niqab, start dialog
You might be aware that the UK is puzzled as to how it should react, forbid or authorize the Niqab. I, myself, am not sure wether the Niqab is only a matter of faith, and I do believe that many women, especially in the UK, wear it by choice. It is a significant choice, an eloquent choice. What is it saying? What is it calling for ? — if ever you agree to consider that it might be calling for something. This video calls for sarcasms to stop and for dialog to start, apparently there is a lot to be said, especially when you hear Mrs Al Shaikh, a Nigabi interviewed by the Herald Tribune, saying:
“For me it not just a piece of clothing, it is an act of faith and solidarity”. Another anonymous woman said : “It is a frontal expression of Islamic Identity, which I have embraced since Sept.11 2001, as a form of rebellion against the policies in Iraq and at home”.
Ahmad Sherif
Ahmad Sherif Project / أحمد شريف / أنت يا مصري 
It should be the woman’s decision to run around looking like Batman if she so chooses, not that of the state.
batman huh…yeah okay whateva
people like you are the ones who make us muslimas look bad…fear Allah
Niqab is a custom of the those retrograde peninsula arabs YES BATMAN THE CAPED CRUSADER …..thats what they look like
Interesting points. On another note, in reply to Ahmed, I would like to stress that it is Batman who has copied the Naqabis and not vice-versa.. for we the people of Arabia have worn the Abaya long before Batman came into existence.
SillyBahrainiGirl, lol I never thought mentioning that to anyone making fun of the way I dress! that was smart…you go girl
I know this thread is 7 months old… but it’s a subject very interesting to me. I just wanted to say that the abaya is not ‘just’ an expression of faith. It represents something deep and fundamental to Islam, something that is uncomfortable to the western world. A woman covers herself to be modest. A woman must cover herself so that she doesn’t tempt men. In the west, it is not the woman’s responsibility to prevent men from thinking impure things or behaving in impure ways. It’s the man’s job to control himself and take responsibility for his response to women. The Abaya is a reminder to everyone that in Islam, the woman must bear the responsibility of the man’s thoughts and behaviors.
That’s why it’s such a big topic in Europe, and why everyone makes such a fuss about banning it or not banning. Religious freedom is an important tradition in western countries, but equality of the sexes has also become very important. The Abaya represents an uncomfortable conflict between these two ideals. Even in Egypt, girls struggle with these conflicting things when they decide to take the veil. They are proud to be Muslim, they want to demonstrate their commitment, and yet, it isn’t really fair that they get harassed on the street and have men say dirty things to them if they don’t wear the hegab.
It’s not just an easy matter of I wear it if I want to and if I don’t, I don’t.
ارجوكم انا عاوز اعرف انا من الاشراف ولا لا