Dearest Friends and Family,
Amma has counseled us to raise our voices wherever see see adharma or unrighteousness. I greatly appreciate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 19: that we have the right to voice our opinions and communicate them through whatever media we choose.
In recent years, there is increasing criticism by western countries of the outfits that Moslem women wear. Increasing denunciation of anybody wearing ‘religious jewelry’ or symbols. There seems to be a great fear of people thinking on their own. This type of intolerance is now spreading to India, in certain pockets, as She seeks to emulate the repressive western political fads.
I recently saw an article by an Australian woman who is Muslim, and trying to spread awareness in that country in reaction to recent governmental barking about Moslem dress on women there. I wrote this comment, which I wanted to share with all of you. I like to be frank about things, and `agree to disagree’, if need be. It reflects an evolution in my thinking, which I think is due to living here in India.
This is in response to an article called: Banning the Niqab by Zara Syed on Countercurrents.org on June 24, 2010. The url to the article is: countercurrents.org/syed240610.htm
A mafta is the head scarf worn by Muslim women, that covers their ears, neck and hair, but leaves their faces visible. A Niqab is a facial covering as well. My comment:
I am not a Muslim woman, but in talking with many of my women friends over the years, we have all agreed that the Muslim style of dress for women is not necessarily prohibitive at all, but, one that allows women to be taken more seriously, as the author notes:
“Everything about me BESIDES my beauty should be important to society” .
At this time, when human society is hurling itself towards ribald, gross and unbridled expressions of its primitive instincts of brutality, greed, and lust rather than our ethical and humane instincts, the dress of Moslem women is an eloquent reminder to all people who see it, that there is another way of thinking about being a human being in today’s world, about being a woman.
All voices and views need to be honoured if we are to have a creative and humane society in which to live. Our children’s minds are improved by teaching them to respect different outlooks upon life.
The Moslem way of dressing is not offensive, crude, violent or hurtful to others.
However, I do feel offended as a woman, when I see my sisters deliberately showing their breasts and bottoms to men, when all women know that many men, strangers unknown to them even, will look at a woman’s body, and desire it, particularly if she accentuates it. Its offensive because it limits the dynamic role that women have in society. When one woman agrees to be a play thing, to an extent, it hurts the chances of other women to be taken seriously.
What young wife would be completely and totally comfortable with her beautiful female friends coming over infront of her husband with their breasts pushed up with push-up bras, their shirts revealing their mammary glands almost down to their nipples? Or their bottoms tightly outlined? There is a basic code of human decency which we expect each other to be aware of and observe. Denying it in the name of ‘objective’ individual self-expression doesn’t make it go away, nor invalidate it.
Perhaps it is because women have been diminished and demoralized into sexual playthings that human brutality towards other humans, other mother’s sons, to Nature, has increased to the destructive level that it has.
If the women who wear it feel the Moslem style of dress is oppressive to them, if they feel they are being conditioned to believe that they are to blame for the lustfulness of men, rather than men having and exercising responsibility to educate and restrain themselves, then, they should feel free to do away with it. But this is their choice, and not something that can be imposed upon them from somewhere else.
However, the author repeatedly uses the word “Protection.” This shows that women do not feel safe from the eyes and intentions of men.
Why is this and who is to blame for this?
Its time that we, women and men together, work towards a society where the relations between women and men are founded upon an ethical footing, first and foremost. Then, perhaps in a more ethically inclined atmosphere, Moslem women will not feel it is necessary to protect themselves through their clothing.
Perhaps opponents should view this insistence on clothing as a sociological symptom – a reaction to an imbalanced human society that does not protect and honour some essential quotients of being a woman? Like Motherhood, maternal feelings, like Love Power, like prizing the creation and children? All Life is One. We are one human family, no matter what religion we call ourselves.
It is hoped that Muslim women, recognizing they feel a need of protection will strive even harder to inculcate ethical ideals into their sons that will enable all women to feel safe around them, as should all of us mothers. We must be vigilant in the character development of our children and each others children, so we have sons and daughters that won’t wage war or hurt others, for anyone. We the women have this power. Lets use it. A son who is violent or who rapes women, has not been given or allowed to have the education he was meant to get from Nature, through his Mother. If Mothers get distracted from their primal duty to Life itself, who is to blame?
Even if the distraction has been generations, we all have that power, ever present inside us. Lets use it.
We are human beings, with the capacity to behave with consideration and courtesy towards one another. Tolerance is part of this. I feel that anyone who wants to be reminded of their religion or noble inspirations by wearing a cross or a skull cap, or a pendant of some sort, bracelet or hat, should not be denied that opportunity. That is self expression also. Its at a higher level than just the physical, its at the level of the mind and aspiration. As a globalized human society, we should encourage any and all ideals which will motivate us towards becoming kinder, saner, more loving and respectful, humane human beings.
I know most of you probably agree, but wanted to put this out there.
Loving you,
Aunty Kamala
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