Says Australian Muslim teenager Feda Abdo: "People think we have no choice -- that we are forced to wear it. Most young Muslim women choose to wear it."
That's great. But what if Ms. Abdo lived in an Islamic state — say, Iran? We recently saw that there, "Women had fought in the revolution so that their choices would be expanded. They had donned the veils at the demonstrations against the Shah to say that nobody could stop them from wearing the veil if they wanted. The Islamic regime reversed their statement and made it impossible for women to choose not to practice the hijab." Would Feda Abdo defend the rights of non-Muslims and non-practicing Muslims not to wear the hijab?
From the Daily Telegraph, with thanks to Jean-Luc:
More young Sydney women are choosing to wear the hijab, or head scarf, to show pride in their religion and encourage others to understand Islam rather than fear it.At a time when the wearing of the veil has come under intense attack in Europe, Muslim women in Sydney are taking up the practice in unprecedented numbers.
Shops and internet sites selling the hijab have reported a spike in sales in recent months.
The shift in visibility of Muslim women in post-"war on terror" Australian society has also led to the introduction of a magazine aimed at twenty-something Muslim women, featuring fashion articles and cooking tips.
Nineteen-year-old student Feda Abdo said more of her friends were choosing to identify their religion.
"More Muslim women are taking a stand and asserting their identity," Ms Abdo told The Daily Telegraph.
"The hijab is an expression of your identity."
Ms Abdo has worn the veil for seven years since her parents allowed her to make a decision.
Her sister did not make the transition until she was well into her teens.
"People think we have no choice -- that we are forced to wear it," said Ms Abdo, who has two drawers full of scarves.
"Most young Muslim women choose to wear it."
Ms Abdo said that by wearing the veil, she was encouraging non-Muslims to ask questions about her religion and help them "understand".
Abdul Shukr, who runs an internet store selling "traditional" Muslim attire for men and women, said there had been an increase in demand in recent months.
"I do believe there are more and more Muslim, and non-Muslim, women donning the hijab," Mr Shukr said.
The irony is that this is how the oppression begins with, voluntarily. Just as Iranian women began to wear the hijab voluntarily and soon found they had no choice BUT to wear it, one can expect the same for these Australian women. Soon, the imam and their men will begin to insist on the hijab; then they'll be castigated verbally and physically for not wearing it. It's amazing how freedom can become bondage with Islam.
Excellent point, Helen. In fact, I think if someone were to do a study, they'd discover that all cults operate in the same fashion. All offer great things at first and then slowly raise the bar while tightening the screws.
Remember the difference between Christianity and Islam. Christianity preaches "Love". Islam preaches "Submission" - doubly so if you are a woman.
I do not understand how a woman with more brains than a bowl of oatmeal would voluntarily convert, excuse me - revert.
jay
Well, then you must not have met many converts. I am one of them, and I have chosen to wear the hijab and not to wear it at different times. One of the reasons I choose not to wear it sometimes is out of fear of harrassment from people who share your views. It is not Islamic to force anyone to wear hijab or grow a beard or whatever, because we beleive that there is no compulsion in religion. Many so called "Islamic" states are operating very un-Islamically and inhumanely, and I do not support their oppresive practices. And yes, Islam preaches Submission- to God alone, not to humans, male or female. And it also preaches love, beleive it or not, though you'll never see that on the six o'clock news. The terrible things being done in the name of Islam are both un-Islamic, and doing possibly irreversible damage to the image of Muslims around the globe. If one takes the time to meet a Muslim, to read about Islam from a different source than this one, you may be suprised what you find. Guess what? Muslims are people too, and Islam is not the enemy, it's the extremists. Tim McVeigh was Christian, but nobody called him a Christian Terrorist. He was what he was, and doesn't represent his religion, just as the 9/11 hijackers don't represent Islam. Open your eyes, people. We're all in this together.