After reading Marcelas's post (/mclak19.blogspot.com.ar/2013/08/cultural-oppression.html?showComment=1377914652883#c6558972577770965451) I became interested in finding out the reason why Muslim women wear a veil. From an official point of view (see the link above)
among other things, it is believed that the words veil or scarf have become interchangeable with the Arabic term hijab.
This source also provides a controversial perspective about the reasons why women should wear a hijab. What caused impact on me the most was that “in the last 30 years hijab has emerged as a sign of Islamic consciousness”. Many women think that wearing the hijab is an indicative of their desire to be part of an “Islamic revival”, mostly in places where the practice of Islam is discouraged or even forbidden. This explanation seems to be based on the verses of the Quran which refer to obedience to God and the idea of being known as respectable women.
Furthermore, a movement away from consumerism seems to be encouraged by this Muslim viewpoint.
They say
that women make their own personal decisions and independent choices in wearing
it. They exercise their right and are set free from an unrealistic fashion
culture. Even so, hijabs liberate women from stereotypes and images dictated by
the media.
Are all
these reasons enough? Do women appreciate to be covered and only permitted to
show their hands and feet? Does somebody have the right to prevent this from
happening, considering that this behavior has taken root on sacred writings?
As an act
of faith, as a right, as a personal choice, as a symbol, or whatever it is
called, it could not be understood only from our western view on freedom and
women’s rights. We are a far cry from comprehending what a Muslim woman
feels when hearing “take the veil off”.
