The ban on Burqa

http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/opinion/the-burqa-ban-debate/20100520-vm3h.html

Australia is the latest country to join in the western outcry of ban against Burqa. Burqa is the attire conservative/staunch Muslim women wear when they go out in public. The idea is to protect themselves from unwanted attention and let them feel secure in the outside world. This may seem ridiculous to many people but that is their cultural value. Unlike the popular misconception that it is a means of oppressing women, it is actually something that dignifies a woman in the Islamic society.

I agree with the lawyer in the video, that if the real concern is about the oppression of women then the concern has to be shown in a manner that shows intention of understanding the values behind it. In Islam, women are considered precious. A woman is allowed to dress as she pleases, adorn herself and satisfy her vanity but only in front of people that matter- her husband and her family. While the Burqa is more of a cultural significance, the colour, shape, cut varying in different countries the basic ruling is to dress modestly. The idea is that a woman should value her own dignity and present herself in a manner that befits a lady of high morale and character. By adorning the burqa, the Muslim woman exercises her right to dress according to her religious and cultural values. She feels safe and protected. Not to mention the convenience of a Burqa. A quick  slip-in and she is ready to go anywhere without much worry of how her hair look like or what kind of dress or shoes she is wearing.

For the clarity of my non-Muslim readers I would just like to mention that while Islam specifies modest, loose clothing that covers a woman's body and hides her curves.  There is no specification of the need to cover the face.  This is something that has evolved with time by religious groups who feel they want to prevent any kind of interaction with males and decide to cover their face as well. This is again a cultural and social phenomenon. Although a headcover is recommended as hair are seen to be the most attractive feature of a woman. Mostly, burqas, veils and hijaabs are also an emulation of the way the prophet's wives dressed and it is a way to show their love for these ladies.

Also, many modern Muslim women adorn the head scarf with western clothing as it is symbolic of their religion. Hence, even in the Islamic world you will find variations. There are also many Muslim women like me who neither wear the hijaab or the burqa, because I feel I dress modestly and can carry myself with dignity without these accessories. Although as a Muslim, I feel it would be better if I start the 'purdah'. Purdah is the concept of totally hiding yourself from the view of other Males. But, so far I have not felt that need to exclude myself in this way and find it more practical to dress like an average person who draws no attention.

Maybe the black burqas stir some kind of fear in the mind of the ignorant, but just remember this woman is only exercising her right to dress as she feels like it. It's not fair to judge anyone by your own moral standards. If the west believe in 'Flaunting it if you have got it' most of the Muslim women believe flaunting only leads to more social evils and they are happy to maintain their decorum and only share their beauty with people who matter. I actually find it quite ironic that the 'headscarf' draws so much criticism and outcry. I wonder why these people do not point fingers at the attire of nuns in the Catholic church, whose attire is very much like a burqa- A nuns dress is also loose clothing that covers them from head to toe.

The burqa should not be seen as a symbol of Islamic extremism. I feel Islam is becoming synonymous with paranoi in the western minds. For this, I take some responsibility and apologize for the heinous acts performed by a small group of morons in the name of Islam. These people are not only enemies of non-muslims but also a big scar on the face of Islam.

I would also like to plead to the western media to stop exploiting issues by presenting only half truths. Its important to see both sides of the coin before passing any judgements.

For any other clarifications, feel free to post your questions here. Although I am no Muslim cleric I will try to give you a balanced view of the peaceful Muslim majority.

In the name of Freedom....A response to the Facebook page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l96PuC8iUTYFreedom of speech indeed, what a sham!! The recent attack on Muslims by a seemingly innocent drawing competition has mocked the meaning of freedom of speech. " Everybody Draw Muhammad Day' was posted as an event on Facebook. It called out to everyone to draw caricatures of the Holy Prophet who is held dear by Muslims all over the world.

Once again the biased international media chose to stay quiet on this issue. Even though thousands of protests were launched all over the globe, there was no mention of it. Until, they got the images they wanted. The image of some radical Muslims burning the US flag and condemning Facebook was posted on CNN and other news channels almost a week after the event began. It was celebrated on 20th May and gave people a chance to ridicule Muslims by posting demeaning paintings of the prophet.

The event was boycotted by thousands of Muslims all over the world and some Muslim countries placed a ban on Facebook and  You Tube with limited access to Wikipedia. While, as a Muslim I salute this stand I am also concerned that the mischief mongers are successful in their mission. Through provocation they rejoice in bringing out the emotional out bursts and continue to deface Muslims as intolerant maniacs.

People criticise the extremism in Islam, all Muslims criticise that too. Has it ever occured to anyone why this sudden rise of extremism in the last 2 decades? I am not supporting the terrorist activities but if you see your own family being maimed, your house blown up, yr city ravaged by foreigners then do u expect ppl to remain sane. This is the true cause of terrorism, the fear, the hatred that has been thrown upon oppressed ppl in Iraq, Afghanistan that is what is coming back to haunt you. Not Islam. 

Since when did slander of character become a symbol of freedom of speech? Why is freedom of speech used as a tool to make racist comments and hurt people's feelings? Is this what freedom means to you???!!

You people know nothing about the religion or the man who brought it to us. Most of the ppl in this group are brainwashed by the media. There are all kinds of terrorists, some of them are Muslims but not all Muslims are terrorists.

What you are doing in the name of free speech is spread more hatred and fear, and why ?? what have you got to prove? what are you proving by this stupid game? If someone abuses you, your family or your friends are u ready to accept it as free speech???

Hypocrites!
The media is just interested in showing the half truth and that is the reality. There is no such thing as freedom of speech.
The reality is that what you ppl call terrorist organisations are the product of the western victimisation . Dig deeper and you will know why people act in such fearless manner. Why is it that they are able to overcome the natural fear of death and ready to blow themslves up for their cause?

I am totally against these suicidal bombings and all terrorist activities. Islam strongly condemns the blood of any human being. It is the planned persecution of superpowers, the half truths of the international media that is working on defacing the Muslims.

We as Muslims respect all faiths. All prophets who came before Muhammad are dear to us. We will never ridicule anyone by drawing caricatures of Jesus,Virgin Mary or Bhagwan or Buddha.

Religion is a personal thing, we respect your faith all we ask is you respect ours. There are radicals everywhere, in every religion and state , question is what do you have to gain by provoking them? Is this ego gratification worth it?
In the end all I can say is,

You may insult me and my faith, you may feel you
have the power to undermine the people I hold dear, yes I am hurt, angry
and sad but I still pray God shows you the right path. I feel sorry for
your insecurity that leads you to gain pleasure through ridicule. I
pray for you and wish you peace as that is what Muhammad has taught his
followers to do.