I just read an inspirational news in the Huffington Post, One Million Hijabs For Shaima Alawadi: Women Wear Hijabs In Support Of Slain Iraqi Woman, and that gave me an idea:
What can be done, which would be good for our Universal Brotherhood / Sisterhood, gender equality, religious freedoms and democratic values? I think, I know the answer to this question:
A Million Hijab March in All Capitals of the World!
A simple, yet a powerful idea that has the potential of changing our world for good! Please add your ideas to the comment section to make it more pragmatic.
Categories: Americas
Good idea and struggle to preach our customs and traditions to whole world.
Wearing a symbol of oppression is not a good way to show support for a woman who was killed as a result of this oppression. Should Jews wear swastikas to protest anti-Semitism?
I’d rather go naked than wear a hijab.
bhigh: Did you ever ask a lady wearing a hijab whether she is calling it a ‘symbol of oppression’? What about Mary the Mother of Christ? Did you ever see a picture with her without a hijab? – Hijab is ‘our thing’, while a swastika is not a Jewish symbol. Your example therefore is not very ‘to the point’.
Bhigh: Rather than jumping to wrong conclusions, why not try what brother Rafiq suggests. Also, ask any self-respecting man, too, if he would rather see his wife, sister, mother, daughter, etc., half naked or covered up and I’m sure the answer will surprise you.
And should you, as you claim, rather go in the nude than wear a hijab – try it and go walking around the streets and see what happens….
But, before you do this, please follow the suggestions in the first paragraph.
Hijab is never a sign of oppression, rather its a sign of respectability.The befitting example here is that ordinary stones are, of course, lying naked on road sides, but, gems are kept in velvet boxes. Nobody forces us to care for the gems, its there worth which motivates us to be caring. For worthless stones nobody cares, in which condition they are. If somebody cares for his or her gem like daughter, he is a wise man, he is a sensible guardian. Proposing a good food to somebody can never be termed as oppression, rather, refusing to have a healthy food is a sign of illness. However,if somebody forces to put on hijab, he doesn’t understand the wisdom behind it. First, he should try to understand its wisdom and then propose the same with logic and reason. I’d very humbly request bhigh to be HIGH in your response and don’t loose your dignity please. At the end I’d like to say that idea given by Mr. Zia Shah is extremely good. It should be further refined and its base should be widened. I’d propose that there should be an international day with the name “dignity of women”. On this day, the organizers and speakers should be women.They can have placards with slogans like,”Hijab is my choice”, “liberty by choice”. It may start with capital cities,it will definitely gain momentum.
It amazes me that after Muslim women acquire an education, they still stick with this oppressive male chauvinistic religion.
[4.34] …admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and BEAT THEM; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
The Prophet said, “Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?” The women said, “Yes.” He said, “This is because OF THE DEFICIENTCY OF A WOMAN’S MIND.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826)
Trojan the testimony of men and women is equal. See the following verses of the Holy Quran:
The Holy Quran uses the term “believing women” more than a dozen times and gives them equal moral and spiritual status as the believing men.
Please read this article:
Gender Equality in the Holy Qur’an – In the Beginning Man and Woman Were Equal
There are of course some gender differences, which are recognized by all, for example, physical sport competitions are separate.
More rhetoric from Zia…
It amazes me how proof of every disputable fact is right there in Muslim sources, yet from Muslims we hear excuses excuses, and more excuses.
It is your turn to read very carefully the following Koranic surahs concerning women, and the hadiths of your holy prophet. You have just opened a can of worms Mr. Shah…
The Qur’an:
Qur’an (4:11) – (Inheritance) “The male shall have the equal of the portion of TWO FEMALES” (see also verse 4:176). In Islam, sexism is mathematically established.
Qur’an (2:282) – (Court testimony) “And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not found then a man and TWO WOMEN.”
Qur’an (2:228) – “and the men are a degree above them [women]”
Qur’an (5:6) – “And if ye are unclean, purify yourselves. And if ye are sick or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have had contact with women, and ye find not water, then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces and your hands with some of it”
Qur’an (24:31) – Women are to lower their gaze around men, so they do not look them in the eye. (To be fair, men are told to do the same thing in the prior verse).
Qur’an (2:223) – “Your wives are as a TILTH unto you; so approach your TILTH when or how ye will…”
A man has dominion over his wives’ bodies as he does his land. This verse is overtly sexual.
Qur’an (4:3) – (Wife-to-husband ratio) “Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four” Inequality by numbers.
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Trojan
Thanks for your comment.
Please do not forget that Islam declared the share of women in inheritance repeatedly and in very precise terms in Sura Nisa and the West, Europe and USA did not allow it until the twentieth century. In your zeal to condemn Islam please do not forget history.
But, let us limit discussion in this post to veil or Hijab.
You obviously want to discuss the issue of polygamy, concubines and equality of the sexes or lack there of. For these, let us please talk in the relevant posts:
Gender Equality in the Holy Qur’an – In the Beginning Man and Woman Were Equal
King Henry’s Wives and Family Values: Catherine of Aragon
Marriage melt down: a fatherless America
Concubines in the Holy Quran
I am not sure what Trojan is referring to.
Trojan, are you comparing Islam with another religion such as Christianity or you are comparing Islam with secular society? If it is Christianity then I do not need to say much, as the Bible teaches us to shave the heads of the women who do not wear Hijab or who dares to raise their voice in the Church. Nor does the Christian teachings consider women worthy of companionship, as celibacy is considered preferable to marriage.
There are no rights of women for inheritance or permission to be witnesses in any capacity, one half, one fourth or one eighth! Nothing.
If the comparison is with the secular society, then I would invite Trojan to look at the plight of women again. Divorce rate of 50%. There is an epidemic of domestic violence. It is the leading cause of injuries to women ahead of car accidents, muggings and rape. 1.5 million rapes are committed against women each year in the US.
It is not a question of equality with men, it is a question of providing security, dignity and honor to women in the best possible way.
It is easy to come up with emotional one liners but the wise look at the decency and effectiveness of the teachings.
The Quran advises women to draw their coverings/Shawls over their bosoms. Where did the head part come from? Please quote and stick to Quran alone. Thanks.
Zia says”Please do not forget that Islam declared the share of women in inheritance repeatedly and in very precise terms in Sura Nisa and the West, Europe and USA did not allow it until the twentieth century. In your zeal to condemn Islam please do not forget history.”
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Humans make mistakes, and then they rectify them. Yes in the past women were treated inferior to males, who is doubting that? not me. But the beauty of human reasoning is that there is room for improvement.
Now let’s look at the absurdity of believing that the Koran is divine.
You are expected to treat your women a degree below males, why? because according to your best example of humanity- prophet Mohammed said that they are deficient in intelligence, and Allah says that they only deserve half of what you would give her counterpart?
Would you dare to divide your property equally between your sons and daughters? of course you would if you live in the west and are influenced by western laws, the same ones you are condemning.
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My point is Muslims live by double standards in the west, they defend one from the Koran that they barely understand, where women are treated as property, and then live by another in secular societies, where males and females as equals.
Hijabs are extremely oppressive to women. Men need to cover up their desires, rather than impose coverings for females to control his. Did Allah forget, that women also have desires like men do?
Trojan’s emotional arguments are completely removed from facts. The concept of equality between man and woman has been misunderstood. No two humans are exactly equal to each other. Trojan and his father are not equal in age. Trojan and his mother are not equal in physical strength. Certainly Trojan is not equal in understanding of religious wisdoms compared with many men of God. But he is equal in all of the above situations as a human being.
God has made women different from men in many respects and therefore throughout human history man and women have complemented each other and not competed with each other. In all those circumstances where man and woman compete, the family unit breaks down. The divorce rate of 50%, child abuse in broken families and single parent families in the enlightened West are the tragic result of this perverted concept of equality. The religion of Islam has instructed both women and men according to their needs and roles in society.
Now it seems that Trojan is fixed on the distribution of property. Since Islam has placed the burden of financial provisions on the man, it also helps him by giving a larger share in inheritance. In those situations where women need more financial support such as single parent families, there is clear provision in the inheritance system of Islam. Women can get equal or more share in inheritance either through help from their families or courts. Trojan has obviously not studied this subject in any depth and is interested only in mud slinging.
aaaI love my hijab in fact a lot of my non muslim friends are envious , because I don’t have to fuss over my hair or body I don’t waste much time or money on constant upkeep, just simple clean wash and wear and out the door . I don’t have the need to impress every tom , dick and nowadays Harriet . One god is sufficient for me to please and if my hijab makes anyone sweat than don’t look at me I’m cool with that and confidant . Thank god for islam for saving me time and money and giving me the confidence and self esteem to be myself and not stress over my look am I skinny , am I fat , am I pretty , do I look good , I need to update my wardrobe ,do I need to go to the gym ,do I need a new hairdo or color you get the picture , if that’s not oppression of women , I don’t know what is. hijab makes me feel peaceful and confidant. peace to all my fellow female sisters in humanity.
Lutf says “Trojan, are you comparing Islam with another religion such as Christianity
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her …28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Compared to this
[4.34]Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, ADMONISH THEM, and LEAVE THEM alone in the sleeping-places and BEAT THEM; …”
“It is easy to come up with emotional one liners but the wise look at the decency and effectiveness of the teachings.”
Listen mr. Lutf, these “one liners” are not some wise cracks, or smart remarks, that I came up with, Are they? they are commands from your Allah, from his word in the Koran which is for all time.
Imagine that, You are given the right to beat your wives upto the end of time. Even now when women are equal in education, career, and status to men in western countries, you expect this backward 7th century laws and commands to make sense?
Decency? Are you for real? what is decent in saying that your wives are tilth? or you can Beat them, or saying that they are a degree lower than men, or that they don’t deserve equal inheritance as their male counterparts?
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Trojan
I want to keep the language polite and friendly, so I need to cut short some of your comments.
You are getting all too excited about one or two verses, forgetting, what Jesus may peace be on him, told for the benefit of all of us:
Trojan please do not forget that there are ten mentions of incest in the Bible, without any disapproving language. I do not want to get into a mud fight and am not quoting all those instances here.
There is a lot more I can quote from the Bible or some of the bitter fruits of the Western civilization.
So, tone down a little please and avoid personal remarks, or I will close the discussion, rather than get into mud slinging.
Little did I know the church was a female and jesus gave up his body for her , and all he gave to the mosque was his heart and spirit, should we be jealous….. naaaaa they can keep the body and we’ll keep his heart and spirit preserved. Peace be upon our beloved jesus and mother mary and the spiritual father Muhammad(saws)
@ Trojan,
I think Lutf has also taken his one liners from the Holy Bible!
Mr Zia, Please explain how you understand 4:34
In case you cannot or unwilling to the visit the following website:
http://www.quran434.com/wife-beating-islam.html
Thanks
Zia, I guess you didn’t like my response, now did you? before quoting Christ, please make sure you know what you are talking about. Jesus would never stand for the injustices towards women, as mandated in the Koran…
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So I looked and studied the verses of Bible by Trojan. 1) I did not see women’s equality in inheritance, or their ability to be equal witnesses with men or their ability to lead the church, or permission to remove their hijab in the church or argue in matters of religion. 2) We Muslims believe Jesus to be a truthful Prophet of God and his teachings would be the teachings of God. So I am glad that you were able to find some verses in support of women.
Quran has similar teachings which you have chosen to ignore such as “behave with them in the best possible manner” 4:20. “They are a garment for you and you a garment for them” 2:188 and many other.
And when you claim that Quran considers women inferior, either it is wrong translation or wrong interpretation.
New Testament has not dealt with any real life situations facing women such as inheritance, marriage, protecting the honor of women, social order, issues of testimony, issues of leadership or anything else. It was not meant to be so. All the law is in the old Testament.
I would appreciate if Trojan can show us from his book the rules of inheritance for women, or rules of Testimony for women, or prohibition of polygamy or permission for women to become leaders of the Church etc. Also the teaching of celibacy and its implications for women should be explained.
Trojan, consider the following. This is only a small sample. There are 10 more for each one of the following.
1) It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (1Corinthians 7:1) Celibacy!
2) Wives, SUBMIT yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18) Second to Man
3) Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broided hair, or gold or pearls or costly array. (1Timothy 2:9)Hijab!
4) Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. (1Timothy 2:11)No religious leadership
5) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1Timothy 2:12)
And more verses:
The Bible convicts women as the original Sinners, (Genesis 2:4-3:24). The Koran clarifies it was Adam; not Eve (Qur’an 7:19-25).
The Bible says “The birth of a daughter is a loss” (Ecclesiastics 22:3). The Qur’an says both are an Equal Blessing (Qur’an 42:49).
The Bible forbids from speaking in Church (I Corinthians 14:34-35). The Qur’an reveals that women can argue with the Prophet (58:1).
In the Bible, divorced women are labeled as an adulterous, while men are not (Matthew 5:31-32). The Koran does not have Biblical double standards (Qur’an 30:21).
In the Bible, widows and sisters do not inherit any property or wealth; only men do (Numbers 27:1-11). The Quran abolished this male differentiation (Qur’an 4:22) and God protects All.
The Bible allows multiple wives (I Kings 11:3). In the Quran, God limits the number to 4 only under certain situations (with the wife’s permission) and prefers you marry only one wife (Qur’an 4:3).
The Quran gives woman the right to choose who to marry. Bible says “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Deuteronomy 22:28-30).
Who is really punished, the man who raped the woman or the woman who was raped? According to the Bible, the woman has to spend the rest of her life with the man who raped her. The Prophet Muhammad Says: (Volume 9, Book 86, number 101) “It is essential to have the consent of a virgin (for the marriage)”.