Wearing a Uniform of Oppression
Wearing a Uniform of Oppression
Having lived my whole life by the teachings of the Islamic faith, I understand the appreciations and values associated with the Hijab. However, also living in Canada, a pro-western society, I also see how some might see it as an oppression set upon Muslim women; objectively isolating them from the rest of society. I believe that the Hijab means much more than just a piece of cloth covering a woman’s hair. It represents their identity and their pride. It is considered to be the flag of their way of life, their religion. Unfortunately, people of other cultures see it as a horrific tradition of the past that degrades a woman’s rights and freedoms.
Catherine Meckes, a Canadian journalist argues that the Hijab does not ultimately liberate a woman. She feels that it is a way of hiding behind bars so one does not have to deal with the realities of life. This is untrue. My argument is that wearing a Hijab doesn’t hide you from the realities of life. In fact, it helps you face them. Wearing a Hijab, doesn’t mean you “give in” to the battle over men’s natural temptations by objectifying yourself. It shows that you want to be loved, appreciated, and, most of all, you want to be respected. You aim to gain this respect not from the appearance of your body, but the contents of your personality and character. Like what Martin Luther King Junior said, “I have a dream where one is not judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” The Hijab can help get this message across throughout the globe.
Ms. Meckes also outlines that the Hijab prescribed for Muslim women has its origins in the need of men protecting their woman. Although I feel that this is true to some extent, the Hijab is not a tool that persuades men to consider women as their property. The western world has seemed to stereotype that woman are radicalized and forced to wear the Hijab. This is utterly untrue. Islam preaches that women must choose
Having lived my whole life by the teachings of the Islamic faith, I understand the appreciations and values associated with the Hijab. However, also living in Canada, a pro-western society, I also see how some might see it as an oppression set upon Muslim women; objectively isolating them from the rest of society. I believe that the Hijab means much more than just a piece of cloth covering a woman’s hair. It represents their identity and their pride. It is considered to be the flag of their way of life, their religion. Unfortunately, people of other cultures see it as a horrific tradition of the past that degrades a woman’s rights and freedoms.
Catherine Meckes, a Canadian journalist argues that the Hijab does not ultimately liberate a woman. She feels that it is a way of hiding behind bars so one does not have to deal with the realities of life. This is untrue. My argument is that wearing a Hijab doesn’t hide you from the realities of life. In fact, it helps you face them. Wearing a Hijab, doesn’t mean you “give in” to the battle over men’s natural temptations by objectifying yourself. It shows that you want to be loved, appreciated, and, most of all, you want to be respected. You aim to gain this respect not from the appearance of your body, but the contents of your personality and character. Like what Martin Luther King Junior said, “I have a dream where one is not judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” The Hijab can help get this message across throughout the globe.
Ms. Meckes also outlines that the Hijab prescribed for Muslim women has its origins in the need of men protecting their woman. Although I feel that this is true to some extent, the Hijab is not a tool that persuades men to consider women as their property. The western world has seemed to stereotype that woman are radicalized and forced to wear the Hijab. This is utterly untrue. Islam preaches that women must choose