AIBU to question John Lewis advert and its message about women?

Is she in a relationship @Growlybear83 ?

As Ive said in a previous post, my daughter was born into a mainly atheist family with no Muslim connections at all, in south London. She graduated with a first class honours degree and has a master’s degree and is the least oppressed woman Ive ever met. She chose to concert to Islam with no influence at all and has worn traditional clothing for the last five years. She has never been happier or more fulfilled.

No they don't because nuns and clergy wear specialist clothing! This outfit is for a normal woman who happens to be a muslim. I guess a bit like jewellers that sell a cross on a chain.

The racism is open on this thread!!! John Lewis (like many other retailers) have decided to provide clothing for as many potential customers as they can. and why not????

You said you were Muslim. 😐

Well yes we can debate about free will and choice regarding most decisions, including shaving our legs etc. We are all functions of our environment, culture etc. But are you saying a single Muslim woman who decides to wear a hijab is always being directly forced to by a man in her life? Just to be clear.

I generally think other people should not be telling women what they should or should not wear - whether it is conservative mullahs in Iran, French secular governments or self styled feminist liberators on here.

Leave people to be themselves.

I've no idea what it's called and don't really want to know but it covers them from head to toe.

A poster up thread said the outfit the OP had highlighted was a prayer outfit and nothing to do with being covered. It may be a prayer outfit but to imply that muslim women cover up only to pray is quite simply bollocks.

TBF, I’ve seen this ad/item, and I definitely wasn’t looking for it.

It really doesn't matter what the truth is you will be hell bent on pushing your narrative about Muslim women being oppressed. So be it. Im
oppressed and happy. What is your point?

I find these comments mind boggling. But I was born here and not into a Muslim family and have worn them and will wear them. How oblivious am I to the oppression I am under? Please don't insult me with such statements - how are YOU telling ME I'm oppressed when I'm literally telling you quite the opposite. I'm tempted to ask for your qualifications to make such bold statements.

This describes my daughter perfectly

Oh fgs (a) becoming a nun is a choice and a choice made by very, very, very few women. Christianity does not routinely require women who are Christians to wear nuns' habits (b) when did you even last see a nun wearing a full habit.

It's such a silly comparison.

What do you make of single, European women with no Muslim family members who convert and embrace the wearing of the hijab and abaya?

If you were born here and not into a Muslim family, you wouldn't be wearing these oppressive clothes. It IS men that have made you wear this, you just cannot see it as you have been so conditioned.

So the women you think are oppressed should be further oppressed by not having options for clothes that they may like and feel better in?

How?

Shocked at some of the stupid responses to this.

Women have NEVER chosen to wear this all black Demis Roussos style clothing, unless they were forced to by Men and religion. You only need to look at photo's of women in Iran, in the 70's to see that! They wore mini skirts, and t-shirts, just like in the West.

Women who wear these outfits are oppressed, but would never dare say it. How's about we speak out about this, instead of being woke eh?

Well that’s what some women wear isn’t it? John Lewis sell clothes so..
Besides stuff like make- up and heels isn’t that different really in terms of sartorial oppression.

Well aren't you lucky living in the UK. It's disingenuous saying it's a choice when for millions of women it certainly isn't. Your "choice" is a validation of the idea women should be covered up.

OP what is your background in terms of knowledge level of Muslims and Islam? And do you know many people who are Muslim/follow Islam?

The reason I ask is because I grew up in a heavily Muslim city and I had friends who held their religious choices close to their heart, wore these kinds of clothes when at college and they still do, and they are very happy to. It is part of their beliefs and history and lifestyle. I also have friends who did not want to do this. As with everything it is nuanced and people are different.

I say this because I worry about my friends and my home city community where Islamophobia is getting out of hand and so many broad brush comments are thrown about about how (for example) all Muslim women are oppressed, hate wearing this, die if they don't. But the truth is you're talking about lots of different Muslim countries that are often hugely different, often with grotesque govts whose actions actually disrespect what Muslim holy texts say yet the power of pretending it is religion is effective in subjugating and brainwashing people.

Please don't jump to conclusions is what I'm saying. If you're interested about Islam there are lot of good sources. It is not one dimensional.

Just to add a personal observation, all my Muslim male friends were observant so didn't drink or take drugs and as a result I was safe to walk home with them after any night out, they always got me home safe, were good guys and never had any interest in me as anything other than a friend (as I'm not Muslim). None of them could care less what I wore or what I believed either. We are all different and living side by side often makes everything pretty relaxed and accepting. But we need to understand each other. I don't want my friends to be targets of Islamophobia.

Not at the time she converted.

oh god, the Falke ones with the exposed bum!

I'm more concerned about the pervy underwear adverts that I'm getting on this site.

Came up randomly on my Facebook page too. Can’t say I’m bothered to be honest. Some women dress like that. On mine the next image along was the sort of summer dress that I do wear.

Ah, British clients. None of them could possibly require this garment, could they?