Her Modesty: “Don’t try to be a gangsta hijabi”
Her Modesty is a Muslim Fashion blog that will soon be a print magazine.
I’ve been reading Her Modesty, a Muslim women’s fashion blog. The project has a lot in common with Coilhouse: both Coilhouse and Her Modesty are blogs that will soon launch in print magazine format, both extoll the virtues of being covered vs. letting it all hang out (you may have noticed our obsession with covered necks, loosely-flowing clothes and total body coverage), and most importantly, both Her Modesty and Coilhouse are interested in the tenuous relationship between the “mainstream” and the “underground,” and where one stops and the other begins. They’re two different “undergrounds,” but the concerns are largely the same.
Primarily a fashion blog, Her Modesty’s main purpose is to display “how sisters can be covered but yet still feel good about themselves and how they look.” The blog author, Kima, obsessively catalogues her new favorite trends as inspired by street wear and the runway, follows the appearance of the hijab-inspired styles in Western fashion magazines, and offers readers tips on how to create the “modest version” of various popular styles. My favorite is this outfit, which in the author’s opinion walks the line, though her readers seem to love it.
Haute Hijab from the Her Modesty blog.
Kima’s writing tone reminds me of the sweet and upbeat Gala Darling, and similarly to Gala, Kima also challenges the readers by briging topics for discussion into the fashion mix. In one post, Kima posts a loose leopard-print D&G dress that resembles an abaya (the loose overgarment that’s worn by many Muslim women), and asks her readers, “would you rock it with a shiny red bag, black pumps, and a hijab?” In another post, Kima engages the readers in an interesting debate about the female “fashion police” in Iran. Similarly to my obsession with goths in TV commercials, there’s a post about a hijab-wearing girl in a Sunsilk TV ad. The most profound post, one where I almost felt like a voyeur when reading the impassioned comments, is the post where Kima asks readers if they’d still dress modestly if Allah didn’t will it.
But the best part are the hilarious Muslim Fashion Dont’s! Here they are, after the jump.
“DON’T WEAR A SKULL & CROSS-BONES PASHMINA“
“PLEASE DON’T TRY TO BE A GANGSTA HIJABI”
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I’m on kind of a kick as far as Persian/Iranian culture goes. I’ve read almost everything Satrapi has written, and saw Persepolis, and I’m finishing up “Reading Lolita in Tehran.” It’s all coincidental, but it all reminds me just how many liberties I do take for granted in my daily life. And I’m really glad that women like the one who is doing this blog are trying to find loopholes in Islamic law that would allow them to express themselves creatively without fearing persecution.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I kind of want to know where to get the skulls pashmina, m’self. It’s perty. O_O
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I’ve always had a fascination for the various forms of hijab ever since I started to notice overlaps between Islam and Internet culture – the idea that de-emphasizing physical traits and sexuality only leaves room to express yourself through personality, intellect, passion, and insight.
Which is not to say that several of these outfits don’t catch the eye…
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
this article is great. I especially like the dos and donts!
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
as an iranian and a clothes horse, I can tell you I hate this.
will they have segments like girls guides to accepting clitoral mutilation?
islam is tacky, like every other religion.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Wow, that is fascinating. Funny, yes, how two such very different “subcultures” can arrive at such similar ends, at least on the surface.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I’m so excited to see that you’ve covered my favorite fashion blog! I found this post from a search that I did on goths… what a coincidence!
To “Sense”, I just want to say that you shouldn’t judge a religion by the people who are SUPPOSED to follow it. There is no place in Islam for female mutilation. In actuality, there is emphasis placed on the fact that a woman has the right to be sexually satisfied by her husband and that if she is not sexually satisfied with him on a perpetual basis, she can divorce him. As you can see, this is contrary to removing the sexual organs of females.
Just as is true with followers of any religion, what Muslims do and what Muslims are supposed to do are sometimes two very different things. I see that you are Iranian and I hope that you haven’t gone through some of the crazy things that Iranian Muslims may have imposed on you. But if you have, I encourage you to take a look at true Islam because true Islam can be considered as the first feminist! Just my 2 cents.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
The “Haute Hijab” is a look that I’ve been doing in various incarnations since I was in high school, so needless to say I adore it! I’ve often thought Muslim women could enjoy many of my designs ~ elegant and dramatic, yet fully covered…
And I am eagerly awaiting your printed incarnation & wish you much enduring luck with it! :)
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
sense : Well said!
You really summed it up perfectly.
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 am
Fascinating.
And sure a somewhat hard theme to write about. Great to see you pull it off that well.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
This was a really interesting post, Thanks guys.
I have to say i know very little about Muslims, but i think this post has taught me something. Im pleasantly surprised.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 am
I thought the whole point of that type of dress was to not stand out at all?
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Dovanna – I see where you’re coming from, but taking an item of clothing designed for a specific purpose and then completely subverting it is hardly an unprecedented tactic in fashion. As a random example, Doc Martens were designed purely as a comfortable and durable work shoe that first found a mass market amongst the middle-aged German housewives of the 1940s. These days, you’d be hard pushed to find a new pair for sale outside of a trendy high street store aimed chiefly at an ‘edgy’ younger demographic.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
in this issue i’d have to say that i am in the middle of two camps-
those who are in favor and those who are not.
(i am also iranian and i have strong feelings about this subject)
hijabs are not required by islam. they are not mentioned in the koran- it is an arabic tradition used to subordinate women that spread when the arabs went in and invaded other countries such as iran. as a way to completely dominate the countries that they invaded, they would completely destroy the culture (for example, burn libraries, destroy art, kill leaders) and instill their own in. and one of these was the hijab.
you could say that the hijab encourages modesty and the women are not treated as sexual obeject- the truth is contradictiory. i have heard of many western men who have hojab fetishes and in a sense the whole reason for the hijab MAKES the women a sex object- because, women are seen as property and they want to keep that property hidden from other men so that they do not steal them. the hijab isn’t for modesty, its for jealous men!
another argument is that it doesnt truly suppress women-look at those muslim female doctors and engineers! this is true, but only for the wealthy, in metropolitan areas where they can afford to send their daughters to get an education. however, they wealthy and the middle class contitute only a small part of the country and among the poor and those in rural areas, it is not so-women are suppressed- they are married off young, they are denied educations, they are to make children and cook dinner.
and why not male modesty in islam? why only women? men wear tight clothing, they walk around topless and long beards are no longer required- so why only women? how is this not sexist?
for the other side of the issue, if they want to wear a hijab, they can wear a hijab. its their own buisness. if you want to do it, but dont force me or anyone else to.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
http://buriedtreasurebooks.com/PrairieMuffinManifesto.php
Here is another good site for women who embrace oppressive customs. Let’s prove our inclusiveness and talk about how groovy this one is too.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hijab is not only required for women. Men are also required to cover up thier gential area which is the area between his navel and his knees. He too is not allowed to wear tight clothing, so any Muslim man that dresses that way is dressing in a manner that is inappropriate.
Hijab is not about “not standing out”. It’s about not having your body hanging all out for the world to see. It’s about not enticing people to stare at you and lust over you. People act like it is a degrading notion to think that what a woman wears can entice a man. But, if it’s so degrading and so ludicrous to think that a woman’s clothing can be enticing, why is there the whole campaign of “flaunting what you have”?
We’ve all heard it before. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Why flaunt it? So that you attract a man (or men) to your body and make them want you. Muslim women don’t want to be seen in that light and God wants women to be held in a better regard than that. So, He commands us to cover our bodies.
It’s freeing and as Muslims, we believe that ultimately, God knows better than any of us about how we should live. And many of the things that He commands us to do are supported by science. Take hijab for example, do you know that covering your body and hair in the sun is better for your health than showing it off? And that the sun is not only dangerous for you in the summer time?
So it makes sense then that we are encouraged to cover our hair and skin.
Thank you to everyone who made intelligent comments about this article. For everyone else, if you think Islam is sexist, degrading, or negative in any other manner… I encourage you to ask a balanced Muslim about what Islam really is.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
if you think about it….why would god care about what you are wearing on your head if its whats inside your heart that really and trully matters? what does clothing mean to god? if he exists, or if he doesn’t exist….trully, why would it matter? what makes a person think they are so important
true holiness is rare thing this day. even if you wear a hijab amd can quote the koran, of if you are one of the “fashion police” that tells women what not or what to wear….are you trully one of the holy?
people can parrot back philosophy and wear what ever they think god told them to but it doesnt mean that they understand the religion.trully,this is an example of “religion is the opium of the masses.” hijabs are used to keep women in their place.
so if its so great, then what religious experiences do women gain from wearing a hijab? if it is so holy, then why do women only talk about it letting them be modest and keeping men respectfull?
if that is the point of it, then it shouldnt be part of islamic law.
i know that there are many moderate muslims, i’ve known my share….but its the fanatic muslim who rule, who are in power.
and i’ve known my share of fanatic muslims.
(i once walked in on one while she was taking a shower….oy gevault…)
so really, this is just a way to beautify shackles. and if a muslim woman in a rural part of iran dressed in any of the ways prescribed, she would be stoned. they are to wear only dark colors and shapless clothing. only a wealthy or middle class girl in a gib city could get away with it.
also, iran is not origionally an islamic country. it was zorostarian before, and before zarathustra spoke, it was an even more ancient religion. little of true iranain culture exists after the arabs invaded- before that women sed to go around bare breasted and bare headed.
both my parents were raised muslim, my mother moderate, my father fanatic. both hate the hijab and see nothing good of it- it is a symbol of the islamic revolution in iran which killed many people and a symbol of womens opression.
and how could a hijab bring someone closer to god? haha…i mean, god has seen us naked. so why would it matter?
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Well said, Sense. I agree that of the trinity, Islam has given the most explicit rights to women. They’re certainly not equal to those of men, but they were a step in the right direction for that time especially. It’s unfortunate, however, that the New Testament does not put forth explicit guidelines for women’s rights — as some modern Christians have very Old Testament ideas on the rights that women have.
As for the site. I’ve always seen the allure of hijab. Not only do I think they’re beautiful, but part of me is very drawn to the idea of relying on your intellect and personality more than your looks when being presented to the world. Unfortunately, some people have manipulated this and have used the practice as a means of making women invisible (as in the Taliban’s case). However, when it is done by choice, I see how some women would find it acceptable, and even liberating.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I have a Muslim coworker who wears hijab, and she is quite possibly the most fashionable person I have ever met. I sometimes wish I could get away with wearing something as lovely as what she wears, but as an American raised multiracial lady, I would feel… weird.
But, I think it’s lovely! Especially the Haute Hijab.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:33 am
proud hijabi girl : Are you implying that your superstitious custom is vindicated because scientific evidence shows UV rays are harmful to your skin? So by that “logic” Allah also knows that men are immune to the harmful rays of the sun with the exception of their genital area, previously defined by the distance from the navel to the knees.
I am looking forward to the American Dermatological Association coming to this same conclusion thereby proving Allah’s perfect wisdom.
February 24th, 2008 at 3:14 am
wow. You guys are really misguided. Good luck to you!
February 24th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
ack! I meant, “Well said, Proud Hijabi,” I just had the name “Sense” still stuck in my head. Sorry about that.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:01 am
lol. Face it, your subconscious mind knows my logic is superior!
also, this.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
What’s that saying in the Gospels? The one about not throwing pearls before swine? As in, don’t waste your time trying to enlighten those with closed minds. Someone like this tends to be arrogant as well as overly prideful in the fact that they don’t know the subject they are speaking about.
As someone who has been married to an Iranian and has been around Iranians for close to 30 years, I have found that the one group of people who seems to be the most ignorant about Islamic teachings are one and the same. Iranians. Every time. I have spoken with non-Muslim Americans that knew more!
Unfortunately, Sense and Marsiouxpial have reconfirmed my beliefs once again. Not only do both of these people not know their Islam, I rather highly doubt that they are conversant in anyone’s beliefs at all, including Zoroastrianism.
I just attended an all day lecture series at a University near my home entitled “The Presence of Iran in the Ancient World” with many notable academics in attendance and speaking. My husband and I write books for a living.
The one group of people I have found who are severely lacking in
education about their own art, culture, history, etc., tend to be Iranians. Too many of them cannot even give you the proper name of the official language of Iran. And no, it’s not Farsi!
I would suggest that both of the above people bother to educate themselves in regards to their own history rather than spending their time viewing trashy Persian music videos with girls dancing upon tabletops, trying to get lung cancer smoking and talking about nothing in cafe’s, overeating Kebab and Khorest, sleeping with their boyfriends, living with their boyfriends, using illicit drugs, spending three hours in the morning piling makeup onto their faces, wearing inappropriately missing clothing, and making uneducated remarks about subjects they are not fluent in.
There is another saying as well…
The remark always hurts in proportion to the truth in it.
Khoda hafez,
March 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Noorsaffiyah,
In your case, I’d be more likely to say that the argument always fails in proportion to the contempt in it.
Please keep in mind, I have no more stomach for Imperialist, Israeli or Christian strong-arming than I do for radical Islamic tactics. I find it all deeply upsetting.
Someone like this tends to be arrogant as well as overly prideful
Wow! Hi, there, Pot. This is Kettle. How ya doin’.
Seriously, though… I’m surprised that you’re being so directly hateful towards the Iranian women commenting here and making huge assumptions about their character. Why do you feel the need to personally attack them?
From what I understand, the Persian Empire was invaded and forced into conversion, and when I consider the longstanding brutality and subjugation that women in that country have faced since the revolution, I really feel for them. No one takes kindly to being forced against their will, whatever the context. Bullying women into donning a hijab regardless of their beliefs is bound to create a scary environment, so I can completely understand why they are speaking out in this thread. But even if I shared your own opinions, I certainly would never insinuate that these fellow commentors are trashy, uneducated, or shallow. What on earth is the point in that?
They were discussing their preexisting way of life in the context of this post, a culture that has been systematically dismantled and negated by the current regime. Apparently it’s a way of life you find distasteful and seek to paint in as unpleasant a light as you can. But after purporting to be well-read and open-minded and making a point of bringing up that Ravi lecture series as well as your own status as a writer, are sweeping generalizations and insults really all you have to offer this discussion/debate?
Please refrain from any further bile-slinging. Actually, if everyone could refrain from making personal attacks in Coilhouse’s comment section, that would be faboo.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
(I’m sorry if that seemed overly harsh. I realize this is sensitive and volatile subject matter, and very personal for you, as well as Sense and Marsiouxpial. But there’s just no need to hit below the belt like that.)
March 15th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I’m a Muslimah scarf-wearing academic feminist. Meaning I know feminist theory, I live a feminist existence every day of my life. What is ironic, is that I am probably more conscious of gender, sexism and racism than the women who claim I am unliberated. But if you want to live in a black and white world where headscarf equals brainwashed and uncovered heads and bikinis equal enlightened that is up to you. Just understand that those are your binaries and not necessarily some ESSENTIAL truth.
I think that the leap from wearing a scarf on your head to FGM is quite long. I accept your choice not to believe as I do-to think that Islam is “tacky,” to ridicule us “brainwashed” Muslimahs who do in fact think that modest dress can in fact affect your heart and inner being. But do try to accept that your point of view is simply that -a point of view based on your experiences.
I mean I’ve worn a lot of stuff in my life- and it directly impacted the way that I carried myself and the way that I interacted with others. Since people like sense are indeed fashionistas I’m sure that get sick of the idea that “fashion” or what we wear is superficial. But why do you then assume that clothes have nothing to do with determining how an individual might feel spiritually?
We’ve got to live in this world-together. Why ridicule a space for Muslim women (who cover) to talk about fashion and make-up and shoes? There are Muslim women out here struggling to re-think the way Islam has been distorted by patriarchal, misogynist thought, who are putting their life on the line to worship their Creator with scarves on their head and without scarves on their head. Instead of using hate-filled rhetoric try to respect other people’s right to choose what they wear and why they wear it.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I’ve observed many women in islamic dress in Maryland and I think its terrific. My family is catholic background so I don’t know if I am kind of biased but I’ve always felt there is something a bit degrading about a woman who wears seductive clothing in college classes or to work. As a man, I find it hard not to notice certain physical features and focus on the content of my courses. I know I’m not alone in this. Many of my friends feel the same way. Islamically dressed women who I see, many of them are obviously very beautiful but they don’t induce the distraction I often experience around more barely clad ladies. I don’t understand why people have all these negative feelings towards women who choose to be less sexually provocative then the women who we are used to seeing in this day and age? I think it tells a lot about their self-esteem, especially based on the postings I’ve read already, that they are proud to project an image that is not propped up by their sex appeal. Based on what I’ve seen by the haters, there is a lot of jealous people who are trying to convince the world that these women are brain-washed and ignorant but obviously they have the same educations if not better than the haters on this board.
Mer was particularly angry in his/her language and the contempt in the words written is more than obvious. When we speak on posts, isn’t it natural to generalize. I think its a given that exceptions to every generalization exist. That’s why its a generalization. You guys/girls should get a life, instead of coming here and raining on these ladies parade. Just live and let live. Why be hateful if someone is proud of something? It’s not like they are proud of doing something wrong.
I’ve often been caught staring at a womens chest where the “victim” decides to button up and turn away with a disgusted look on her face. Or what about the girls who I introduce myself to in an attempt to get a phone number and they stomp off insulted that I would approach. I mean why do girls dress in a sexy manner when they don’t want male attention?
I wish girls dressed more modestly in this day and age honestly. It changes the dynamic in our relationships. It’s a refreshing idea to be focusing on the words coming out of a ladies mouth instead of ignoring them while I focus on other more conspicious things. It can create a more person-to-person type interaction compared to the usual sex-hungry male — bouncy sex kitten interactions that often take place in my day to day life. And why would it be a surprise that women cover up in religious settings or in public? I’ve never questioned the idea of nuns covering themselves since they want to be viewed as servants of God. In my opinion, humbleness before God and men/women does create the atmosphere for spiritual experiences that I highly doubt are possible running around in a thong or underwear. And pride that is built on substance is not the same as pride built on something unearned like good looks or curves.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I have not read all the comments, but I do agree with Noorsaffiyah. I am so sick of ignorant comments from Iranians who know NOTHING about history and religion. Those who are so bitter and spiteful, constantly spewing bile about topics they do not understand, gets old. I thank the kind, moderate people on here. I appreciate your understanding. And I would like to say to Proud Hijabi, you know nothing about Iran. And how dare you make that comment about true Islam. Iranians, the believing ones, are true Muslims. But not everybody, yourself and myself included, has the adab (manners) of the Prophet (sawa). People, get out of the matrix and investigate for yourself. I was caught up in anti-Islamic and anti-Iranian propaganda since I was a child, but you know what, the truth has a lot more color than all the grey mush we’re all spoonfed. Anyway, thanks for showcasing the mag. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to see the fair treatment on the site but unfortunately not surprised one bit by any of the comments.
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
There seems to be a deficit of logic or fairness here. A lack of compassion and empathy on both sides of the argument at hand.
Quoting Noorsaffiyah:
I would suggest that both of the above people bother to educate themselves in regards to their own history rather than spending their time viewing trashy Persian music videos with girls dancing upon tabletops, trying to get lung cancer smoking and talking about nothing in cafe’s, overeating Kebab and Khorest, sleeping with their boyfriends, living with their boyfriends, using illicit drugs, spending three hours in the morning piling makeup onto their faces, wearing inappropriately missing clothing, and making uneducated remarks about subjects they are not fluent in.
The Iranian women who protested being forced to cover up, as well as some of those in agreement with them, were abrasive in how they stated things, and that was unfortunate. But how is it that they are all being jumped upon for saying “hateful” and “spiteful” and “ignorant” things on one hand, yet many people commenting have nothing but praise and support for Noorsaffiyah, when judging from the above quote, she is inferring unmistakably that the Iranian women who oppose the hijabi are basically stupid sluts? That is not noble or helpful in any way. It is as unkind as any other comment I have seen on this thread.
How is vindictive anger on one side of the fence unforgivable but OK on the other? I am seeing this hypocrisy in comments from both camps.
I think that the most important thing to do in these situations is steer clear of making big assumptions about others. To be gentle even in the face of blind rage and a lack of understanding. Trying to force someone to your point of view by shaming them, or calling them stupid is not helpful or constructive. You are forgetting that we are all living under the same sky, so to speak.
This goes for everyone on this thread with strong and anger-fueled opinions.
November 8th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
[…] I nearly died laughing when I got to Hijab Don’t #3. Which was much needed. It’s been a tough […]
November 11th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Dear Readers and Commenters,
As an educated Western woman who has made the choice to adopt what many would refer to as ‘Plain Modern’ attire (including christian headcovering) the thought that I would be considered brainwashed and repressed could, though not surpriseing, not be further from the truth. I as are we all, fearfully and wonderfully made and i choose to moderate the way I am seen, to draw the eyes to the face, the character, the mind and the heart rather than the shallow gauge, as i call it, of apaerance. Modesty gives back dignity, it does not strip it. modest attire reserves us for those who love and know us best, who will not look upon our imperfections with judgement, but love us just for who we are. This choice, especially for Western Christians has all too often been misinterpreted by those who would choose to draw their own conclusions concerning the reasons why we are drawn to make the radical counter-cultural decisions that we have. I would recommend everyone read Wendy Shallit’s ‘A Return to Modesty’ and ‘Girls gone Mild’. This young, educated, sophisticated woman puts the reasoning thousands upon thousands are drawing to around the world into words more to the point than I ever could manage. Some out there in the wider community believe by these actions, those of us who tread this path are automatically judging those who don’t. Though, sadly, I know this can happen, for the vast majority of us, we have made these decisions after much consideration and thoughtful meditation and far from judging others, hold ourselves up to the critique’s light day by day, step by step. and yes, it is liberating and a trend growing within the small university where I study.
a marvellous website written by a most inspirational woman is http://www.quakerjane.com wherein the author presents her own testimony and some truly excellent articles (written by intelegent, erudite women who have also chosen to step out upon this path.
May we all gain wisdom and understanding of one another and act in love towards eachother as we journey along the path together,
Sarah,
Australia.
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I admit that this is quite an old article, but as a young Iranian woman, the comments directed towards Iran/Iranian women bother me enough to say something, even if I will not get a response (it’s strange that the comments are primarily about Iran, since Iran is NOT the only Muslim country, and certainly not the only country where women follow the “hijab guidelines” as Muslims).
The practice of veiling and wearing chador in Iran existed LONG before Islam made its mark in the country, but chador was banned in 1936 (I think) by Reza Shah. It wasn’t until the post-Revolution years that chador became mandatory — this isn’t to say that ALL women had stopped wearing chador by this time, because many women continued to veil after Reza Shah’s ban. However, the mindset that Iranian women are completely forced to wear chador exists, particularly among Iranians who witnessed the revolution or were born after it, because to them it was turned into something political. It is interesting to note that the very people who wanted the Shah out are the same people who (and their children as well) want the mullahs out today.
To the person who called young Iranian women trashy & so on: Yes, I am young. No, I do not dress like a slut — though I know many Iranian girls who do, I am very modest and always have been (I suspect I would dress and act similarly, even if Islam was not a part of my heritage, because of my personality, morals, and behavior). I really resent your overgeneralization, because while some Iranian girls are like that (as it always goes in nearly every culture), there are also girls who are not like that. I may not be completely knowledgeable about the background of my heritage, but I am trying to become so. Yes, you may have years of experience and knowledge under your belt, but things like that take time. I wish I were born with endless knowledge, but that is not the case. Is that so wrong?
Regarding hijab: The first step is to understand the concept of hijab/general modesty in your heart; the second step is to wear hijab. It takes some women time to move on to the next step — they may dress modestly but are not ready to wear hijab. This does not make them any less spiritual/pious. Contrarily, a woman may wear hijab and not completely understand the concept behind it.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:16 am
I always wonder if what ever god you believe in created you as you are, would he want you to cover up?
Im not talking about being free to run around naked..especially not in this cold winter, you’d freeze bits off!
But being free to wear what ever you please to do is your own right as a human being.
Any religion that forces someone to wear a certain garment all the time is oppressive, no matter how its sugar coated. ( i dont include what is worn during ceremony or ritual only what a person is told to wear day to day.)
Your religion should be what you feel inside, not how you are seen outside.