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.

This my is when you are made to wear it from the age of 5, I imagine that it becomes so much a part of you and such a habit that there is no ‘choice’ in the matter, so we should not pretend that there is.

*The thing is..

People can wear what they want in this country but I will not accept telling me that women should dress a certain way for 'respect and security'.

Justanotherlurker Ive lived in various parts of the UK my whole life so I think I’m qualified to speak.

Tapandgo I’ve lived in Bradford as it happens and never saw a single person then or on recent visits in a burka. Never seen one sold in the UK either.

Perhaps you’re both confusing burka with something else.

Some of the comments on here regarding the hijaab and Muslim men.

Wow.

Thanks for the lovely insight.

Those words have actually chilled me a little bit. (only read the OP.)
Before I got to the bit about the whole "Me Too" and the banning of grid girls/walk on darts girls. It made me think about that too.
If they really did say this But then they went on to say that the hijab brings you 'respect and security
It's got a kind of ring to it about what you read on here lately. That women can't possibly want to be grid girls, or walk on girls,it's demeaning, it's just looking pretty.
Some of the posts do read like if you're a woman you should be wanting to be respectful and/or covered up or doing something "meaningful and proper."
Each to their own, nothing wrong with wearing hijabs if you want to, but equally there's nothing wrong with wanting to parade in skimpy clothes if you want to.
It does seem like we're sleepwalking backwards sometimes.

The men in the communities in question: are there any strict limitations on their clothing, too, then? For whatever reason?

I ask this in genuine enquiry.

I wonder what the Vit D levels are like in those women who wear the niqab out and about - particularly in the UK where sunlight is scarce this time of year?

The muslim-bashing over the last few days is unreal! It's all men that need to be 'enlighted' actually Diana, not just Muslim men. The #metoo movement shows how endemic sexual harassment and violence is in the West too doesn't it hmm? I was harassed in the street throughout my teens, I was groped, I was flashed at, I had men follow me, I had a man put my hand on his genitals. I was a shy and meek girl and often too polite to tell them where to go. This is my experience of growing up in the West. I started wearing hijab, this never happened again

So, what are you saying? That we should all wear hijabs because men can't help themselves so we should just cover up?!
Fuck THAT if so.

All these threads seem to do is bring out the anti Muslim brigade (as I’m sure the intention was).

Why are you sure that was the intention? I think it's an interesting point and question.
I'm definitely not anti Muslim.

gallicos women who cover much of their skin are advised to take extra vitamin D in pregnancy.

Vit d levels? Are you serious? I've had a doc tell me that he takes vit d tablets all year round. Its not just the "covered" women who need supplements.

In this day and age if a woman can't wear what she wants and describe how it makes her feel (secure and respected) then IMO this is not a free country. The FO DID NOT use these words. They quoted 'women said...'

The racist attitude on some the threads, stinks quite frankly. And the minority of racists are letting the rest down.

World Hijab Day, probably scared the shit outta some of you... thinking it's some kind of take over. Well, it's not. Get a grip.

hmmwhatatodo
No mistake ~ burkas and niqabs ~ worn with dark glasses so look like burkas. Check out Dewsbury too.

Of course it is not some kind of take over. It is as usual the British Government pandering to religions at the expense of women's rights.

The government will never please everyone. Muslim women wear the Hijab for certain reasons. The goverment celebrating and rejoicing with these women, shouldn't make others feel shit about themselves.

If you want to wear a tank top and some hot pants then go ahead, if that makes you feel secure and respected then that's your choice. And your set of feelings. Exactly the same with the Hijab

Tapandgo, I’ll be sure to check out Dewsbury next time I’m in the area.
Why do you refer to hijab as a black shroud? You don’t really think all Muslims who cover up wear black do you?

Why do you refer to hijab as a black shroud? You don’t really think all Muslims who cover up wear black do you?

I know this wasn't aimed at me,but I'm going to answer anyway as I've been giving "fuck that" answer to the covering up (although each to their own.) To show that no,actually, sometimes the opposite view can have some knowledge.
Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on my next points.
There's different kinds of cover ups out there. You've got your niqab, hijab and burka.
The ones you tend to see all black and covered up is the burka.
Hijab I think is more of a head covering and not face covering as well? They come in different types of colours, not just black.
Burka on the other hand is an all over get her covered up covering.
The other poster you're questioning was probably referring to the burka.

The attitudes on this thread are far more depressing than the actions of the home office imo. It doesn't take a genius to work out that respect and security was likely referring to the ability to practice ones religion rather than insinuating that the hijab is like some kind of bullet proof garment.
Covering up Islamophobic attitudes as some kind of faux feminist concern is beyond patronising. Muslims are not a homogeneous group, women cover be it hijab, niqab or burka for different reasons. Are there women whos families encourage it from a young age? yes. Are there countries where its forced upon women? absolutely. But why is it that when a Muslim woman actively stands up and says "I was not forced to wear this, I wear it as my CHOICE", her voice is shouted down because people would rather be outraged than understanding that each Muslim woman has her own experience of life.
I live in a conservative Islamic country. I work with women from all walks of life. Some of the Muslim women wear hijab, some of the women do not, yet they all seem to be able to coexist together without being scornful of each others choices. It blows my mind that in 2018 people are so comfortable to spout out "they're in the UK now so they should do things our way". For the vast majority, objecting to women wearing hijab has nothing to do with being an advocate for women's liberation and everything to do with prevailing imperialistic attitudes that is still ingrained in the UK.

The attitudes on this thread are far more depressing than the actions of the home office imo. It doesn't take a genius to work out that respect and security was likely referring to the ability to practice ones religion rather than insinuating that the hijab is like some kind of bullet proof garment.

If the campaign said 'I can wear my hijab thanks to the respect and security I have to practice my religion' then yeah fair enough. But OP said it implies the hijab BRINGS respect and security. Which are very different things. And where the issue lies.

It’s so bloody depressing that women receive “respect” when covered, whatever your religion.

This is why Muslim men think young white women are trash.

And women in Iran meanwhile fight their own battle for freedom. Wonder what they think to “world hijab day”

Makes you want to weep into the remnants of the burned bras worn by our foremothers

I agree that the wording is problematic but that aspect of this conversation has become the lesser issue by the looks of the thread. It's become a platform for Islamophobia just like pretty much every thread about Muslims does.

People can wear what they want in this country but I will not accept telling me that women should dress a certain way for 'respect and security'.

Nobody is telling anyone what they should wear. You are free to dress as you choose.

If a woman says wearing a hijabs brings here respect and security...then so be it. That's her experience and if the home office was reflecting the views of a number of Muslim women who said this...I don't see the problem.

If someone says wearing a dress and high heels brings her respect and makes her feel powerful...that is her experience....I don't have to agree with it...but I'm also not going to get my knickers in a twist about it.

What I see here is a lack of respect for the Islamic culture.

I don’t respect any culture that places covered and pious women on a pedestal, whilst the rest are deemed to be less worthy. It is warped and utterly unnecessary.

Meanwhile, in Iran...

I don’t respect any culture that places covered and pious women on a pedestal, whilst the rest are deemed to be less worthy. It is warped and utterly unnecessary.

Not every Muslim is of the same culture.

WTF does that even mean?!

Head covering is cultural by the way. It is not strictly required in Muslim writings but the requirement has been adopted into certain cultures