Thursday, September 20, 2007
Context: There is both a 'Shut down f**k Islam or we'll quite facebook' and a 'F**k Islam' groups on Facebook. Randomly browsing through them, I thought how much could be done if only these people put the same amount of effort at condemning each other into philanthropic activities.
One particular argument which stood out was that both sides were arguing upon the rightness of the religion based on the matter of the hijab. The hijab is a head covering often worn by Muslim women to cover their heads and also sometimes their faces except for the eyes. Now, I was raised in a predominantly Islamic nation with a wrongly registered religion which would have deemed me as having fallen under the 'wear a hijab' category but as I was raised a Buddhist...that's besides the point. It's also besides the point that I see wearing a head cover completely unnecessary and frankly a little bothersome as the heat is atrocious back home. And I have lovely hair.
Anyway.
During my research in sociology I can across a study done by Katherine Bullock on the experiences of Muslim women (Bullock, Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil, 2002). There are several others, just google for them, the point is there are intellectual evidence behind what I'm trying to say.
The hijab originated from the middle east as a method for avoiding sandstorms. It was then transfered through islam as an appropriate dress for women. Simply put, it came from a cultural origin than a religious one.
What most people fail to realise is that religious 'rules' are not merely carved out law descended from god. Religion is a mix of culture, faith and human intervention. Someone long ago decided something was a good idea and it stuck.
Point number one : some religious rules are influenced by culture.
It's both true that it's a choice that women have to wear the hijab and an imposition.
Many women choose to wear it because it gives them a sense of identity as well as security.
They also wear them to be obedient to their families.
It's an imposition in that society frown upon women who chooses not to wear it. In some extreme case it leads to unfortunate circumstances to say the least.
That's the behaviour of extremists, not of the majority of society hence it is the exception rather than the rule.
Point number two : women have a choice just sometimes not a very clear cut one.
I wonder what would be use of people slandering religions when many of the world religions have their flaws and positive attributes. Not one is wholly perfect.
Most religions if you look at its core philosophies contain such ideas as treat your neighbours as you would treat yourself, do not commit crimes such as murder or adultery etc.
Most religions also support equality and tolerance, and only when human biasness step in do we see racism, sexism and the like.
They are not inherent to religion but the interpretation of humans.
Point number three : you should go out and make someone's life a little brighter instead of yelling at people through the internet.
cheers
me
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 9:26 PM
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