My OperaMuslem Headscarves
Friday, December 22, 2006 2:35:07 PM
By Becky & Leonard
It is this form of headscarf that has caused controversy in Europe. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said he would like to see it abolished because of its "implications of separateness."
Since as what we know, the niqab has caused controversy in Europe. People think it is "implications of separateness". We had been thinking a lot whether or not to put these photos to reveal our true feeling. It was our first reaction when we saw those clothing. We are sorry to say really it scared us a little. However, we have also been thinking much how to put our point right without giving readers the impression that we don't like the Muslims. We respect the Muslim religion just as we do to the Christian, Judaism, and Buddhism.
After being asked whether it is reasonable for the Europe to ban niqab, we did some research to related series of problems, hoping to find the core and feasible solution.
Why does the Europe ban that headscarf? What is the inner and essential reason? Even it is an acceptable law that each culture or religion should try to take in something of the others for minimize the differences, does there still remain an important point the majority should show that it is not trying to oppress or force the minority to obey the changes?
13 years ago, Samuel Huntington argued that a "clash of civilizations" was about to dominate world politics. The United States and Europe are divided by a fear, while much of Asia displays a culture of hope. Although America is the most powerful economic country, however, the Americans are thinking a lot of problems such as their bodies with the plague of obesity, their huge deficits and hatred and pressure from different directions of the world. Besides, after 9.11, security remains a big headache for most of them. When it comes to Europe, they fear being left behind in economy and being ruled by an outside power. There is also fear about being Islamists or being demographically conquered by them as their continent.
As stated above, Europe have always been fearing that the Islam will dominate their status in the future. In their eyes, the niqab is not only a thing that really scare them like a usual monster, but also a sign as their implied hatred towards the Islam world. They wanted the Islam culture to be assimilated to the general one. They can tolerate any minorities that does no harm to them but not the "extremist" one, which to some extend is consistent opinion in western countries.
Based on this, we don't think it is fair for the Islam women who are supposed to get rid of the niqab. Let’s not discuss whether The Koran is right or wrong about doctrine of women's headscarf. This issue is not a scholarly one but a political deal. They want to oppress their opinions onto others. How ridiculous, and only by directing and commanding but no respect!!!
Objectively speaking, we will not agree that the Muslim women refuse to take off their headscarves when taking an identification card. And when in classes, for the sake of better being understood, we tend to suppose they take off the scarf, too. But it is not good to say they want to separate something in order to protect themselves. If it is real, why they want to do so? There must be some historical root. And those are against them! To remedy this, it takes respect, understanding and patience.
No shortcut is there to pull the thorn in people’s heart and only by time-consuming methods, such as setting up more association for culture exchange, can root the evil feeling embedded in their blood. It sounds very stupid. But how come you can treat it like Bush administration deal with Iraq through power?! Anyway, asking to quit the habit is equal to asking the Europe to get rid of beer everyday!
It is reasonable to demand that members of all minority communities integrate or assimilate with the majority to some extent, but it should be in a right way, and at a right time.
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