DURING the first half of the 20th century, millions of Muslim women decided to abandon the head coverings their mothers had used; in the second half of the century, millions of Muslim women resumed wearing the veil.
How and why these fluctuations of personal habit affected so many across the Muslim world is the question Leila Ahmed sets herself. In her book A Quiet Revolution , she focuses on Egypt, which was a key influence in both the unveiling and the veiling, to trace the many meanings which this piece of cloth has acquired.
It`s an acute study of how issues of political power and empire interact with women`s own claims to autonomy within families and communities. Ahmed beds her analysis into the wider political currents of Egypt without ever losing sight of women`s own interpretations of what they were doing and why.
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Categories: Book Reviews, Islam, Religion
I can vouch to this. When visiting Egypt in 1972 (approx.) when passing a Senior High School few girls were wearing the veil. When passing a similar school in 2010 practically all senior girls were wearing the veil…. Mashallah.
The veil, Hijab or Burqa?
Where should we draw the line regarding the female wardrobe? Do we have to? Can it be left to the discretion of each of our sister, mother, daughter or wife, as the case me be? You be the judge!
http://knol.google.com/k/the-veil-hijab-or-burqa#
Well, ladies may comment. My opinion is ‘yes, it should be left to the discretion of the ladies. “There is no compulsion in religion”…
I know a group of students who wear Hijab because it looks cool, novel and gives them identity in western world. Their mothers mostly do not wear Hijab but they all dress up very modestly which is the Islamic code of dress. I understand there is no punishment prescribed in this regard!