To think to say wearing the hijab brings you 'respect' and 'security'.

[Eltonjohnssyrup]

Just to start off - this is not a 'ban the burka' thread. I respect the right of all women to wear exactly what they want be that a burka, a bivouac, a hijab, short shorts or a bikini.

It was World Hijab Day yesterday. An event which was promoted by government agencies including the Home Office.

The organisation promoting this event has claimed that the hijab brings you 'liberation'. I'm fine with that. I can see how it would feel liberating not to have to worry about bad hair days or styling every day. And feeling liberated is a personal thing. One woman might feel liberated wearing a full length skirt and long sleeves, one might feel liberated in a bodycon dress and bikini.

But then they went on to say that the hijab brings you 'respect and security'. I feel really uncomfortable about this. It implies that there is a type of respect which women who do not wear the hijab are unworthy of. That showing our hair makes us unworthy of automatic respect.

And 'security', security from what? Harassment? Rape? Terror attacks? This sort of language is moving the responsibility for women's security onto women by saying 'wear this and you'll be secure'. In other words, don't wear it and you're taking risks, asking for it, sending out a signal it is okay to grope or harrass you.

This makes me really uncomfortable, especially in the era of me too. AIBU to think that this campaign should be moderating it's language to avoid tarring those who don't wear it with negative associations? And that the government and Home Office shouldn't be endorsing an organisation that uses it? It's not sending a message of 'women are free to wear what they like' and instead is sending a message that if women want to safe and respected they must cover up.

[Jaxhog]

I can understand that wearing a Hijab may make some women FEEL more secure, but it doesn't MAKE you more secure!

[Hissy]

A women wearing the hijab scarf is seen by Muslim men as pious, devout, not to be leered at in a sexual way.

Over 98% of women in Egypt suffer sexual harassment

egyptianstreets.com/2015/03/05/the-moral-epidemic-of-egypt-99-of-women-are-sexually-harassed/

Work that out.

Religion oppresses women. Some how ALL religions tell women what they can and can’t do.

I lived in Egypt. I know what it’s like. It’s hell on earth for women there, putting up with looks, comments or sneers.

[Hissy]

I don’t like women having to cover because the menz can’t stop leering.

I don’t like the idea of women covering at all. But it’s wrong for society or state to tell any woman what she can and can’t wear. What separates us then from the taliban? When women wear what is government approved.. what next? The food we eat? Where we go, what we do? The way we live?

[wakemeupbefore]

The only thing burka or similar does is hide your identity. Brilliant choice for would-be bank robbers.

[MrsJoyless]

Would I be correct in thinking that, as far as the situation in the west goes, the liberal feminist considers it's entirely a woman's choice whether to cover her hair and nobody else's business, whereas the radical feminist would say that every woman who covers her hair makes it a little harder for the woman who chooses not to?

[honeylulu]

I'm wondering if for many Muslim women the hijab simplifies life. You would never have to think "do I look modest enough?".

I'm non Muslim so might be flamed for this comparison but ... I do an office job (law firm) and the dress code is fairly relaxed. However I almost always wear a trouser suit and smart shirt. I never have to worry about:

1. Do I look smart enough /formal enough if I have to go to court or see a client unexpectedly?
   
2. Is my skirt too short/too long?
   
3. Does this top show too much cleavage?
   
4. Arggh my tights are laddered!
   

I just have a wardrobe of suits and I just put one in each morning without any thought at all. Sometimes I think how nice it would be to just bung on a scarf and not worry about my hair either.

Oppression by men us an issue in itself but maybe many Muslim women enjoy the simplicity the hijab brings.

[LostMyBaubles]

I wear the hijab.
No one has forced me to do so
I love it.

Would I force anyone? Nope

Does it make ME feel secure, important etc NOPE

It's personal choice. It makes me feel like me.

I dunno where they've got it from about being more secure.

[LostMyBaubles]

Actually thinking about it
It does make me feel a little more secure
Secure from the wind ruining my hair lol but that's about it

[lucylouuu]

jaxhog but that is what the home office have said. they've said " the headscarf is worn by some women who see it as representing “liberation, respect and security." some women see it that way and for some women it makes them feel secure.

[AngelsSins]

All these things make her worthy of a mans respect.

And what things make a man worthy of a woman's respect? Is it wearing something restrictive as well?

[AngelsSins]

Women should be free to wear whatever the fuck they like, and men should mind their own business.

We can dream....!

[UnsuspectedItem]

Those of you who feel so strongly that women shouldn't wear a hijab, do you cover your breasts when out in public? And if so, why?

[sportinguista]

Mainly the cold, otherwise I'm not bashful.

[Growingboys]

Yes the cold is what prevents me going bare chested in England. I notice men do the same.

[MissEliza]

I remember seeing a documentary about Egypt years ago and a veiled university lecturer explained she believed if more women wore the hijab there would be less abuse of women. Yes, because it's the job of women to prevent men abusing them.

[BeachOrPool]

I dislike the hijab and what it represents - oppression of women.

Yes, many British Muslims wear it by choice and like it/feel comfortable but I wouldn't wear a Star or David symbol just because I like the shape. I know the reality of what it means and would take care to avoid such a thing. Not the best comparison but I'm sure you'll grasp what I'm trying to say.

For sisters in the Middle East, it's a way to keep women hidden. To shield them from the eyes of these men that can't possibly turn a blind eye to their beauty and therefore they should expect to be abused if not covered up. Men can't possibly be expected to look elsewhere or control their desires, don't be so silly!

And as for little girls covering their heads... Words fail me. Ridiculous - And the excuse of 'she just wants to be like mummy' is bollocks

[CheeseAndOnionIceCream]

I saw an article about the Home Office giving women the opportunity to wear a hijab for a day,and I saw the words 'liberation,security and respect' being bandied about. Personally,the whole issue of hijab-wearing makes me feel uncomfortable,because women who choose not to wear it are often made to feel that they are shameful in some way,because they refuse to cover their hair. Their hair for goodness sake! It's not as if they are walking around topless or with no knickers on and a ultra-short mini skirt that leaves nothing to the imagination. What is so shameful about hair?!

[MichaelBendfaster]

It's a really difficult subject. I balk at the idea of an individual or the state telling a woman she must –or mustn't –wear one, and I can't really argue with women who say it's a personal choice for them to wear one.

But I do find the project crunchy brought up (photos of women in Iran taking their hijab off) interesting; from what women involved have said about the project, they don't find it empowering in any way.

I think I read on here recently too a poster saying that she has relatives who visit from a country where they must wear one, and who rip them off in sheer relief and joy once they get to the UK.

[BeachOrPool]

Those of you who feel so strongly that women shouldn't wear a hijab, do you cover your breasts when out in public? And if so, why?

Yes, I find it's terribly cold in the UK. My nippers would be like bullets.

I've no issue going topless on Spanish beaches though, I love it and I will continue to do so until those big bellied men hide their own 'indecency'

I wouldn't walk around 24/7 like it, purely because I need the support a bra gives me

[BeachOrPool]

Their hair for goodness sake! It's not as if they are walking around topless or with no knickers on and a ultra-short mini skirt that leaves nothing to the imagination. What is so shameful about hair?!

Because hair is somewhat seductive due to it adding to the beauty of women.

You could argue that eyes, lips and cheeks also add to this. And many Muslims will agree, hence the full coverage of the face in some places

[MissEliza]

Men still abuse and harrass women who wear the hijab. Having worked in the Middle East, I know colleagues of mine who were veiled but still get harassed in the street. I can also think of women who wore the hijab who were beaten or treated appallingly by their husbands. So apparent from being wrong in principle that the hijab brings 'respect and practice' it is also wrong in practice.

[halfwitpicker]

So basically people are saying that Muslim men are so stupid and misogynistic that they need a sign on a woman's head to tell them to respect her or not?

Says a lot about Muslim men ( and women)

[halfwitpicker]

The eyes have it, every time.

Seeing women bundled up in a hijab but come to bed eyes made up with mascara and liner makes me utterly

[Teapot13]

I have definitely heard people from the Muslim community say things like, "Well, it's fine for women to go uncovered, it's their choice, but in [our neighborhood, our country of origin] the men harass women without head coverings, so women really should cover up."

Not, ". . . so men need to change their antisocial behavior towards women."

Obviously my experience may not be representative. . .

[NavyGold]

"Come to bed eyes"

Is that a joke??