The Hijab: A form of liberation or a sign of oppression?
Word Count: 1051
The Hijab: A form of liberation or a sign of oppression?
The hijab, worn by Muslim women, consists of a veil, worn in different ways, generally covering the head and exposing either the eyes or the entire face. Over the past decade, the hijab has generated controversy around the world. A school in Montreal banned the hijab as a means of adhering to the schools dress code. Feminists argue that the hijab is a sign of oppression that contributes to the inequality that exists between men and women. Whereas, the majority of Muslim women argue that it is a personal, religious choice and a powerful form of female liberation.
Banning the Hijab:
In 2003, two students were expelled from Ecole Charlemagne high school in Montreal for refusing to remove their hijabs. The school administration claimed that their hijabs were in violation of the schools dress code. The administration announced, “she would not be allowed back unless she removes her hijab” (Elmenyawi). Therefore, both students were refused access to a free education because they would not remove a piece of clothing that represents their religious beliefs. The expulsion violates the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which states, “persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities shall not be denied the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion” (Canadian Multiculturalism Act, 3 [a]). The hijab is a strong symbol of religious devotion and prohibiting students from wearing this symbol is an infringement upon their personal rights. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession, which defines the educator’s commitment to the student, protects the rights of students within the school environment. The code claims that the educator “shall not on the basis of race…political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background…unfairly exclude any student from participation in any program” (Strike, and Soltis ix). Based on the Code of Ethics,
The Hijab: A form of liberation or a sign of oppression?
The hijab, worn by Muslim women, consists of a veil, worn in different ways, generally covering the head and exposing either the eyes or the entire face. Over the past decade, the hijab has generated controversy around the world. A school in Montreal banned the hijab as a means of adhering to the schools dress code. Feminists argue that the hijab is a sign of oppression that contributes to the inequality that exists between men and women. Whereas, the majority of Muslim women argue that it is a personal, religious choice and a powerful form of female liberation.
Banning the Hijab:
In 2003, two students were expelled from Ecole Charlemagne high school in Montreal for refusing to remove their hijabs. The school administration claimed that their hijabs were in violation of the schools dress code. The administration announced, “she would not be allowed back unless she removes her hijab” (Elmenyawi). Therefore, both students were refused access to a free education because they would not remove a piece of clothing that represents their religious beliefs. The expulsion violates the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which states, “persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities shall not be denied the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion” (Canadian Multiculturalism Act, 3 [a]). The hijab is a strong symbol of religious devotion and prohibiting students from wearing this symbol is an infringement upon their personal rights. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession, which defines the educator’s commitment to the student, protects the rights of students within the school environment. The code claims that the educator “shall not on the basis of race…political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background…unfairly exclude any student from participation in any program” (Strike, and Soltis ix). Based on the Code of Ethics,
Cited: Canadian Multiculturalism Act. Statutes of Canada, c. 24. Canada. Department of Justice. 1988 Strike, Kenneth, and Jonas Soltis. The Ethics of Teaching. Fifth. New York: Teachers College Press, 2009 “Bans on the Full Face Veil and Human Rights.” Global Campaign for Free Expression. Article 19, 2010 Abdul-Fattah, Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2008