In their shoes..
Being back home is amazing. You don't know how much you've missed it, until you're back with your family and friends. The thing people ask me the most is "How is Qatar?".
They listen me describe Doha, trying to explain what it feels to be in this oasis in the middle of the desert. And there is something they ask me a lot "are all women covered?"
I say not all of them, and of course not me. The truth is, the media has done an excellent job in making all of us think of the Middle East as a war region, arabs as people who are crazy about Islam and therefore, maniacs, terrorists. They have really educated all of us in a very wrong way, being the first responsible for our misconception of Islam and Muslims, of the Arab culture and the way people live here.
Recently, France passed a law prohibiting muslim women to wear a Burqa in their country, or covering themselves. They say it is a sign of oppression. My friends think it is a sign of oppression. Most of the people believe so. I've lived in Doha for just a few months, and somehow I came to understand why women are all covered. It doesn't bother me the way it used to, when I lived in London and I came across women who were all covered in black, only their eyes showing, for the first time. I think you have to see it from their perspective to really understand what is going on underneath their abayas. I now came to respect their tradition, to admire them for being so passionate about their religion and their beliefs they don't surrender to our western dress. I wouldn't ever think of covering myself like that, but I admire them for doing so, for standing for their tradition.
Most of the people in this forum might not agree with me, most of you despise the way they cover. But just remember that is us who label it as "Oppression". For them, it is their right to pass by unnoticed, to hide their beauty and save it for their husbands. Is like a girl who wants to stay a virgin until she gets married, she wants that to be only for the person she loves and no one else.
We sometimes are so narrow-minded that whenever we see something that goes against what we think is right, we attack it. We live in a sick and very sad world, and instead of being understanding with others, we criticize and make fun of people who do not think the way we do.
I guess what I'm trying to do is invite you to be understanding towards others, what makes us different is what makes us beautiful and special. Live and, for goodness sake, let live!
We're taught and raised to do so not forced. It's different.
@ garnet06ph, it's meant to be worn in a way that doesn't reveal any curves so that men don't look @ them the wrong way mate,i.e loose...@donosa,to repeat myself,they wear it over their designer threads because family & cultural constraints force them to do so,if they weren't forced to they'd just wear & flaunt the designer stuff minus the abaya,so yes you're right that it would mean a lot if they did it out of choice & wore it the way it was supposed to be worn,else,it pretty much defeats the purpose don't you think? they could just as well wear a designer figure-hugging evening gown,it covers from top to toe as well but it's not the same is it?...
well gadarene, there's always the young and the rebel. I don't know why they do it, for me, the simple fact that they are wearing a black cloak instead of showing off the clothes (expensive ones btw) they would like to, like any other girl anywhere else in the world (in an age when girls meet fashion and style and like to show it off) means a lot.
Personally I'm against the veil especially that women during the Prophet's era didn't cover their faces, even though I wear it sometimes when I'm in the mood for more privacy.
As for abayas I don't want to repeat myself. I've already discussed it here:
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/529896
Thanx donosa..I appreciate it..
gadaren, thats a good observation about wearing abaya in a tight way.. curves showing.should it be worn loose? just askin.
"Ka lain nimo oi...."
I believe the issue here isn't with Muslim women that choose to cover up but those that are forced to due to religious & cultural constraints...@ donosa,please explain to me why else one sees young (& sometimes not so young) local girls in abayas that are like 5 sizes too small for them,showing every anatomical curve they possess?...if they were doing it out of choice,they'd wear it like it was supposed to be worn,loose & flowing,thereby not anatomy defining & minus the swarovski crystals...
agree with snow white
I think most people agree, if the woman wishes to cover herself, then that is her prerogative.
But not every country in the Middle East is like Qatar. Some countries do force women into wearing Abaya's, and that is where the oppression begins. Yes, people shouldn't assume all women wearing Abaya's are oppressed, but then we can't assume they are not oppressed either.
What makes us different is what makes us beautiful and special.
'Agree to that.
It is a way of writing Alexa
Sounds like a sympathizing, glorifying and consultating passages for these Arabs in defending their culture. A kind understanding for you to have these passion about who they are and what they wear. What could you or we do to comment on these at their homeland unless abroad where they have to comply with the host countries dressing codes and laws.
France hasn't passed a law (yet) banning the face veil.
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
we are suppose to be unnoticed by anyone in this world except husband..........and your thoughts i really appreaciate. Let me tell you the meaning of women in islam is Shyness. The more she covers the more beauty of hers is hidden. Naturally no man will want her lady's beauty to be seen by others.......
very true n right...live n let live (liked it)
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My miNd is a MastEr piEce,diVidEd into 2 pieCes..LeFt & riGhT......beLieVe!!! tHeRes noThiNg riGhT iN tHe leFt N nOthing lEft iN tHe riGhT..;)