Hijab: Oppressive or Empowering
Hijab: Oppressive or Empowering :-According to Islam, the hijab signifies a headscarf or modest clothing. Most of the time non-Muslims are confused between a hijab and a burqa. Burqa is a term that is used for a garment covering the entire body where as a hijab covers only the head. In the West particularly wearing a hijab has become a symbol of oppression for social activists. Muslim women, like all people in the western countries, have the right to practice their religion. They also have the right to be treated equally and the right not to be discriminated against or harassed because of their religion, their gender, or perceptions about their nationality or ethnicity.
What does the Quran say?
The Quran instructs both men and women to observe modesty in their dress and behaviour. World Hijab Day, is celebrated on Feb 1, starting in 2013, it came about through the efforts of Nazma Khan, an immigrant to the United States from Bangladesh, who had been shamed over wearing a headscarf. She decided to start a day when both Muslim and non-Muslim women could experience wearing the head garment. As sociologist Rachel Rinaldo says, the past three decades in Indonesia have seen the emergence of a new generation of female religious leaders who are interpreting the Quran in a way that is empowering for women. The word female llamas are more accepted, compared to women’s rights activists, In Islam, the ulama literally “the learned ones” also feminine: alimah are the guardians, transmitters, and interpreters of religious knowledge in Islam, including Islamic doctrine and law. Basically ulama are educated in religious institutions . The Quran and sunnah are the scriptural sources of traditional Islamic law. The point is that, like other faiths, Islam is a multifaceted religion and Muslim women are choosing how they want to be heard and seen.
ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF HIJAB
If we talk about the Islamic perspective wearing a hijab is the commandment of God. It is a sign of purity, modesty and has nothing to do with male domination. To most Muslim women hijab provides a sense of empowerment. It is the personal decision to dress modestly according to God. Hijab is used to cover women’s beauty and ensure their modesty. Hijab has nothing to do with oppression or degrading women rather it liberated them . Women are also ordered to cover their heads with a hijab. So wearing of hijab by Muslim women is a commandment from Allah.
MODERN PERSPECTIVE OF HIJAB
Most people especially in western countries believe that Muslim women are oppressed and have a lower status than men. People of the West consider the hijab as a hindrance to the progress of women. The country turkey provides one such example who replaced the Arabic Alphabet with Latin script, abolished the caliphate, changed the dress code, encouraged women to adopt European dress etc. The western perception of the hijab is that it prevents them from receiving education and taking up employment, restrict their movement outside the home and result in curtailment of their social participation. A woman in the west who wears a hijab finds it difficult to find a job and if she gets a job, she often has to work harder than her colleagues to prove herself than a woman who does not wear.
CONCLUSION
Islam believes that modesty, good character and manners are the way to achieve liberation. Muslim women wearing a hijab is to be seen not as the symbol of the oppression of women but also show the double standard of the west which tries to create misunderstanding and confusion regarding the principles of Islam. The wearing of hijab by Muslim women increases her beauty rather than degrade the women in society. A woman should be accepted for her character and behaviour rather than her appearance.
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edited by :- yasha malik
