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From The Times

October 9, 2006

Why Muslim women should thank Straw

The veil is not a religious obligation — it is a symbol of the subjugation by men of their wives and daughters

Saira Khan

MY PARENTS moved here from Kashmir in the 1960s. They brought with them their faith and their traditions. But they also arrived with an understanding that they were starting a new life in a country where Islam was not the main religion.

My mother has always worn traditional Kashmiri clothes — the salwaar kameez, a long tunic worn over trousers, and the chador, which is like a pashmina worn round the neck or over the hair. But no one in my immediate family — here or in Kashmir — covers their face with a nikab (veil). As a child I wore the salwaar kameez at home — and at school a typical English school uniform. My parents never felt that the uniform compromised my faith; the important thing was that I would fit in so that I could take advantage of all the opportunities school offered. I was the hockey team captain and took part in county athletics: how could I have done all of this wearing salwaar kameez, let alone a veil?

My mother has worked all her life and adapted her ways and dress at work. For ten years she operated heavy machinery and could not wear her chador because of the risk of it becoming caught in the machinery. Without making any fuss she removed her scarf at work and put it back on when she clocked out. My mother is still very much a traditional Muslim woman, but having lived in this country for 40 years she has learnt to embrace British culture — for example, she jogs in a tracksuit and swims in a normal swimming costume to help to alleviate her arthritis.

Some Muslims would criticise the way my mother and I dress. They believe that there is only one way to practise Islam and express your beliefs, forgetting that the Muslim faith is interpreted in different ways in different places and that there are distinct cultures and styles of dress in Muslim countries stretching from Morocco to Indonesia. But it is not a requirement of the Koran for women to wear the veil.

The growing number of women veiling their faces in Britain is a sign of radicalisation. I was disturbed when, after my first year at university in 1988, I discovered to my surprise that some of my fellow students had turned very religious and had taken to wearing the jilbab (a long, flowing gown covering all the body except hands and face), which they had never worn before and which was not the dress code of their mothers. They had joined the college’s Islamic Society, which preached that women were not considered proper Muslims unless they adopted such strict dress codes. After that, I never really had anything in common with them.

It is an extreme practice. It is never right for a woman to hide behind a veil and shut herself off from people in the community. But it is particularly wrong in Britain, where it alien to the mainstream culture for someone to walk around wearing a mask. The veil restricts women, it stops them achieving their full potential in all areas of their life and it stops them communicating. It sends out a clear message: “I do not want to be part of your society.”

Some Muslim women say that it is their choice to wear it; I don’t agree. Why would any woman living in a tolerant country freely choose to wear such a restrictive garment? What these women are really saying is that they adopt the veil because they believe that they should have less freedom than men, and that if they did not wear the veil men would not be accountable for their uncontrollable urges — so women must cover-up so as not to tempt men. What kind of a message does that send to women?

But a lot of women are not free to choose. Girls as young as three or four are wearing the hijab to school — that is not a freely made choice. Girls under 16 should certainly not have to wear it to school. And behind the closed doors of some Muslim houses, women are told to wear the hijab and the veil. These are the girls that are hidden away, they are not allowed to go to universities, they have little choice in who they marry, in many cases they are kept down by the threat of violence.

So for women such as them it was absolutely right for Jack Straw to raise this issue. Nobody should feel threatened by his comments; after all, the debate about veils has been raging in the Islamic community for many years. To argue that non-Muslims have no right to discuss it merely reinforces the idea that Muslims are not part of a wider society. It also suggests, wrongly, that wearing the veil affects only Muslims. Non-Muslims have to deal with women wearing a veil, so why shouldn’t their feelings be taken into consideration? I would find it impossible to deal with any veiled woman because it goes so deeply against my own values and basic human instincts. How can you develop any kind of a social relationship with someone who has shut themselves away from the rest of the world?

And if we can’t have a debate about the veil without a vocal minority of Muslims crying “Islamophobia”, how will we face other issues, such as domestic violence, forced marriages, sexual abuse and child abuse that are rife in the Muslim community? These are not uniquely Muslim problems but, unlike other communities, they are never openly debated. It is children and women who suffer as a result.

Many moderate Muslim women in Britain will welcome Mr Straw’s comments. This is an opportunity for them to say: “I don’t wear the veil but I am a Muslim.” If I had been forced to wear a veil I would certainly not be writing this article — I would not have the friends I have, I would not have been able to run a marathon or become an aerobics teacher or set up a business.

This is my message to British Muslim women — if you want your daughters to take advantage of all the opportunities that Britain has to offer, do not encourage them to wear the veil. We must unite against the radical Muslim men who would love women to be hidden, unseen and unheard.

I was able to take advantage of what Britain has got to offer and I hope Mr Straw’s comments will help more Muslim women to do the same. But my argument with those Muslims who would only be happy in a Talebanised society, who turn their face against integration, is this: “If you don’t like living here and don’t want to integrate, then what the hell are you doing here? Why don’t you just go and live in an Islamic country?”

Honey ur confusing culture with religion!!
There are millions of women who cover up...are you telling me that they are all wrong??? You need to read and understand the Quran before you can make such comments regarding the veil. You also need to read some hadith and learn about the believing women and understand that many of them were highly accomplished and educated women.

I actually feel sorry for you because you have no idea how free and how fulfilling our lives are even with a veil on!

But then you entitled to your opinion and I am to mine!

p.s Did you know that there are more female converts to Islam than males?? Why do you think that is????

Kavz, London,

What is with you Orthodoxes?

I'm Muslim and admitedly I wear Hijab now and then but only when I can't be bothered to preen and primp myself. That's what Hijab is all about-not having to make too much effort to please others. Being practical. Unfortunately as we are all weak as that's how God has made us, vanity is a weakness we must all try to oversome which we've made a lousy job of doing, Muslim or not.

Even though Saira Khan doesn't wear the HIjab that doesn't mean she's not Muslim. How can any of you Orthodoxes even dare to say that when you know very well according to the Hadeeths you so cherish that we as Muslims have no right to impose religion on others nor judge who is Muslim and who is not? Is it that you throw away some Hadiths and keep others that suit you just like us naughty Western Muslims?

At least Saira earns her keep with God's gift of a business minded character, which is more than I can say for someone earning 3 figure salaries and two wives.

liberalsistah, Kuala Lumpur,

This article is so on point. I am a Pakistani-American male with a similar background. And the extent of "hijab" in my family Pakistan and here was "chunni", which is a regular scarf thrown either over your head or around the neck or left to sit on a shoulder or tied around the waist while dancing at weddings. :) First time I ever saw a 7 year old girl with a Saudi Arabia like hijab was when I was visiting a cousin in Manchester, UK in early 90s. I was so shocked as I had never seen anything like that in USA or in Pakistan. I couldn't agree more with your closing lines. I have used them on some wanna-be Taliban sickos here too.

Ali Ahmed, New York, USA

It looks to me as if you are being judgmental how do you know what the majority of the muslim women around the world have been forced to marry or wear the head piece. I live in a Western society i do not feel disrespected at all. The Western culture seems to be obsessed with a very narrow ideal of feminine beauty, and women are derogated if they do not match this ideal. Many women spend hours each day picking just the right outfit and styling their makeup and hair before they will even step out of the house. Any feminist will tell you this obsession with women's beauty and sexuality is bad for women and should be ended. Isn't modest dress a good way for a woman to get off this merry-go-round and to tell people that they will have to judge her by her intelligence, personality, and character, not her appearance? When men dress to be respected, they wear a business suit that covers them to throat, wrist, and ankle why should women be different isn't this what your trying to prove equality

Fatima, Sydney , N.S.W Australia

I'm a pakistani student here in Glasgow. To assimilate into non-muslim state, it is higly imperative to respect the laws laid down for the citizens of that particular state.
My question to these (unclear) muslim brothers and sisters: Would you mind if a non-muslim lady goes out in bikinis to a beach in Karachi? I'm sure,being a minority in pakistan; she must possess the will to do what she likes there.
"You want to impose what you think is right, everywhere; which is wrong"
Islam delivers a message of peace and happiness which doesn't come with veils in place. If you fear being treated as sex object, you should better be strong in your personality than using incompatible ancient traditions.

Ahmed Khan, Glasgow, Scotland

I think Saira Khan needs to wake up and not impose her views on others (which seem to be narrow-minded if she truly understands the meaning of "Freedom"). She bases her own experiences to judge other women. If she is a feminist, then consider that women in the West were only given their rights after much hardship in the 1800s after The Suffragette Movement, and Islam had liberated women 1400 years ago!! The West was living in the dark ages, and had colonized much of the Eastern world for their own means - Consider your history, Saira Khan. If she considers herself a muslimah, then consider theses verse from The Qur'an:

Ch 24, V 31
Ch 33, V 51

see web:-

http://www.muhajabah.com/dresslikethat.htm

A.Adeel, Woodford, UK

I am a married American born, Muslim convert of almost ten years. I proudly cover and am proud to be Muslim. Wearing a veil has never compromised my freedoms or happiness. I'm very outgoing and love to shop, eat at fine restaurants and travel without comprimising or losing my identity as a Muslim. My husband and I run our own, very sucessful, business by buying and renovating real estate and managing our own properties. Interacting with otheres in business and leisure has never been uncomfortable for me or the other parties. I feel proud showing people the real idea of Muslim women. We are not oppressed, unhappy, we have rights in Islam, let alone more rights than any other religion. The wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) weren't oppressed and unhappy, They were well respected, forward thinking women and weren't threaten by the veil or being modest. Prophet Mahammad (peace be upon him) was the best example in how women were to be treated.

Muslimah, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES

Saira Khan is one of the women who want to lead her life as she will to but still be termed as Muslim. Saira is a grown up girl and she is living in England. She has all the rights to do everything and I am sure she did.

Saira, Islam says muslims are those who have submitted their will to the God Almighty. So, he did said what is the right path and how should we proceed. Still, he gave you the power of will to choose what you want and said will be paid here after.

Now, your problem is you don't want to cover yourselves and on the same hand you want to be termed as Muslim. There is a conflict. You got to choose what you want, whether you want to be muslim, submitting your will to the God Almighty or you want to go with you will which surely your lord has granted you the power to choose from?

If you don't like it don't do it but be prepared for the hereafter. Again if you want to talk logically, compare any countries rape stats with those with any islamic country.

Taha, Hyderabad, India

These extreme views of saira khan are not progressive at all. And she is causing anything but harmony, just look at the uproar she is causing on this webpage. Saira Khan is complaining of girls wearing hijab, why should you restrict that right in this "democratic" society - the right to wear whatever you like. The amount of double standards is beyond me. If you cant handle people exercising their basic freedoms then why dont you just leave?

Fizza, Peterborough, UK

Saira Khan has had very bad experience in her own personal life and with people she grew up with and and is sadly associating this with her religion....Just for the record this women is thinking she is rights and millions of other muslims are wrong

she says is she had wore a hijab she couldnt be an arobice teacher nor do business.....doesnt she evan know the Prophet Muhammeds wife Khadijah was a succesfull business women and she can become an arobice teacher to children and other females....but if this happily married women for some reason wants to teach other men then islamically its not acceptible

sajid , birmingham, uk

Saira Khan compassionately highlights the largely negative impact of Muslim women who choose to wear a veil in this country. Anyone who has an opportunity to live within another country and practice its culture and customs also possesses a deeper understanding of how to recognise any differences which exist and more importantly, gains some insight in how to deal with them.

Elizabeth, Weymouth, UK

Interesting article and some interesting comments. My view is that the veil is a personal thing as is the hijab and wearing of a jilbab. Although our parents came over from Pakistan in the 60's with their traditional village beliefs, etc and imposed wearing the scarf, etc upon us we could not at the time see why this was so and how it would protect us. Now when I finally got to university and saw what really went on between girls and boys, and how girls are used simply and merely as sex objects, etc I finally chose to wear a hijab because it was a sign that I was simply not like all the others, I believed in myself respected myself and showed the world that although I was covered I could do just as well without resorting to merely a sex object only. I chose this path, and I have given the same advice to my daughters. Do well, integrate in British culture and country, but do not jeapodise your faith and religion because you do not have to. May Allah (SWA ) protect and guide us

Zebunessa Ali, Slough, England

This woman is disgracefuly ignorant to her existence and has no idea of her background and culture never mind what she believs in as a faith or religion.
Having seen this programme she presents visiting pakistan,i think she should visit this place a bit more and learn abour her own identity if she considers herself a muslim because she certainly does not emulate a muslim woman in the slightest.Any decent muslim woman would laugh at this clown potraying herself as a muslim.Please help yourself and learn what a muslim woman is,because at the end of the day its about chosing the path of the devil or the path of the almighty creator.The choice is yours.

M A AHMED, SHEFFIELD, UK

actually, i dont wear the hijab... but i find those women that do wear it (well the ones i'm around) are the biggest hypocrites, just because i choose not to cover my head i probably have a stronger practice of the hijab internally and at present dont have a need to externalise it!

I find those that do wear the scarf tend to be more narrow minded, not recognising people as individuals.

in my opinion people can do as they please but the worst thing anyone can do is judge others. head cover or no head cover, we have to realise that apart from religion you have a duty to integrate. if you want to live by complete Islamic law, its best you do this in an Islamic State.

Eli Ishmail, Leeds, UK

Interesting read however the fact that the (says she is) Muslim is the writer raises some ?????? marks

What in carnations are you talking about?

The funny thing about it is that I had a simular conversation about a year or so ago with a nice looking asian women whom started the conversation with me about my hijab we had brief discussion why was it brief well simply because she went from yeah i'm a muslim and my mom covers but i don't and I don't think i should and I don't believe in it and actually I think the quran is nice but i'm not really a muslim (whhhhaaaaaaaat) yes she began her conversation with i'm muslim too and ended it with i'm not muslim that all happen with me questioning her on her understanding of hijab and olbigation to obey Allah and some other question basically I jammed her up with question and words till she just admitting not being a muslim and I was like well there you have it

which is why this writer is so funny to me is she really muslim? Allah know

Fatma, oakland, USA

I wear the jilbaab and headscarf. It does't restrict me from speaking out, being ambitious or even having a life. The only thing remotely restrictive are these ideas people like yourself are having and speading - narrow and close minded ideas. You complain that other muslims are condemning you for not wearing the veil, then why on earth are you condemning me for wearing it! You are no better. You complain of Muslims imposing their ideology on others, are you not doing the same? Do yourself a favour and stop painting all muslims with the same brush, stop making judgements on the basis of your experiences. If there were more like you (there are already enough as it is) there would be a lot more conflict and less harmony.

Fizza, Peterborough, UK

i am quite surprised that you think that just becuase a person merely decides to wear a piece of cloth they lose thier potential or dont have a life. i have friends who wear the niqab go to univeristy and are studying great degrees like law, medicine and pharmacy and following theri religion does not hinder their learning or socialisiation with other students and society. if people choose to wear it who are you to deny them that right and you are mistaken when you say people are forced as the majority of people wear it by chocie as you will find out if you ask people and not merely judge a whole community by the miniority. hijab is a blessing to the woman as it covers her beauty so she may not be molested and presevers her dignity as an individual. it also allows woman to be judged not by apppearnce but by her intelluct.

Anisa, London, uk

Such progressive views. If only more were like you, then there would perhaps be less conflict and a lot more harmony.

ina, Nilai,

Thank you for speaking out for all other Muslins who can NOT speak out.

GS, Orange, CA

I think you dont know much about us as a muslims, you didn't live among the muslims and see what their problems are, aren't you?? I am a muslim & we thank God that we are & I see from my personal opinion that we don't have domestic violence, forced marriages, sexual abuse and child abuse that you said that it rife in the Muslim community..maybe few problems but you cannot compare it to the west ,they are not rife as the US or UK communities & our children and women are not suffering as a result,we always live in rest & peace and we are free to decide what we want to do & to choose our choices in life, we are not like the other communities who always have every moment "sexual abuse and child abuse " problems, I want to tell U to shut up & U don't know anything about us .. U have to live among the muslims in a muslim community & meet muslims to see how they live "watch their great life" & then talk about them.. I know that after U see them, U will find them the best people U ever met.

noora, manama,