hijab

It can get chilly at night at the beginning of a Philadelphia spring. So once my winter clothes are packed, I find myself relying extensively on layers. Last night, I threw on a scarf to keep warm while walking my dog. I was a little surprised that two men said salam to me while I was out. One also said be safe after I returned his greeting.

Walking around late at night in West Philadelphia is a strange time to feel community connectedness, but their greetings really evoked that feeling. Because I am not muhajibba, this was a little bit of a pleasant surprise.

A little while ago, when someone forwarded a picture of a female Iranian swimmer clad in a blue body suit complete with cap and added a humourous note to it, I was one of the people saying that one really shouldn't make fun of a person who was wearing such odd garb either out of religious conviction, or out of necessity born of pressure from her society and community--and most probably the institution, sporting or academic or what have you, that she was part of.

Debra Mubashshir Majeed, Leila Montour, Sabina Snot-Face, and Laury Silvers designed the following petition. Please copy, forward, and sign if you choose. The designers of the petition represent a range of choices in Muslim modes of dress, hail from diverse Muslim communities, and support freedom of religion from state involvement. 

We hope to gather enough signatures to demonstrate to everyone in the Muslim community that protecting civil rights matters. In this respect the petition is only a gesture, but Godwilling a powerful one.

Brothers are encouraged to sign as allies, a support to the sisters standing for each other. 

Okay, this is getting a bit nuts.  Now Tony Blair is getting into the fight against face veils as a "mark of separation"?  Granted, states have the right to protect their citizens and make civil limitations on religious life in order to guarantee the rights of all.  Britian (and the rest of Europe) have invasive security measures in place.  First, one must, by law, carry an identification card in Britain and Europe.  "May I see your papers?"  In the US, we are not required to do so.  Our license to drive is just that, and only that.  We do not have to have any identifcation with us when we go for a walk.  Oh Canada?  Second, in Britain, they have security cameras everywhere.  They have face recognition software running off of them.  If a woman's face is covered, well, the authorities cannot guarantee security as they (the state and the people?) have defined it.  I cannot help but say, "V for Vendetta" anyone?  In the US, authorities cannot prevent a woman from covering her face.  The KKK inspired mask laws do not apply to niqab.  Last time I checked on this, the police can stop you and ask you to pull back your face veil in the presence of a female officer.  But that is all.  While our civil rights have been sorely trampled on since the wars on drugs and terrorism, we still got a little something left.

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 A woman is wearing a veil (hijab)as the proper attire for women should be in Islam. She has also put Kohl on her eyes. This is the only type of make-up that is allowed to be worn by women.

 if this is the only make up allowed in islam..then its pretty inticing....woah

I have been reading the articles on this site for a while now and want to add to the confusion of being a muslim.if it is any consolation, being a muslim is even more complicated when you are living  in a muslim country. there is the problem of sects to deal with along with the usual double standards.