Despicable veil (‘Burqo’) [Archives:2003/650/Letters to the Editor]

Baha Ahmadi, Paris.France
[email protected]
Rules regarding Muslim women's (and men's) attire are derived from the Quran, Islam's revealed text, and the traditions (hadith) of the Lord of creation, Prophet Muhammad (Salutation be upon him). In the Quran, God states: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and adornments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers…(a list of exceptions)”
[Chapter 24, verses 30-31] Also, ” Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons…that they should be known and not molested.” [Chapter 33, verse 59] In one tradition, the Lord of creation, Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying: “…If the woman reaches the age of puberty, no part of her body should be seen but this )- and he pointed to his face and hands.”
From these and other references, the vast majority of Muslim scholars and jurists, past and present, have determined the minimum requirements for Muslim women's dress: 1) Clothing must cover the entire body, with the exception of the face and the hands. 2) The attire should not be form fitting, sheer or so eye-catching as to attract undue attention or reveal the shape of the body.
A nation cannot develop without the equal participation of men and women, in as much as a bird cannot fly with one wing. Therefore, it is imperative upon all women to seek education and wear the HIJAB in order to cease wearing the Burq'a. As mentioned earlier, myriad personalities hide behind this ridiculous tent.
We are a nation with a resplendent civilization and must conduct ourselves in a civilized manner.
The question that needs to be asked is, will Yemeni women ever achieve what other Muslim women have achieved in Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc. or will they be wearing that God forsaken despicable tent eternally?
Do not forget that some of the worst criminals, rapists and terrorists hide behind this repulsive black tent called 'burqo.'
We must not give an opportunity to anyone to liken us to the unruly, uncivilized, unsophisticated, illiterate and crude Afghani people.
Peace be upon those who follow the right path!
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