to stop shopping at M and S for selling hijabs for young girls

[worstmotherintheworld]

So M and S have started to sell hijabs as part of their school uniform range...aimed at primary school children. One reviewer helpfully suggests getting the small one for a 4 year old.

I have been shopping at Marks all my adult life and have remained a faithful customer despite some dodgy clothes of late and the uninspirational Sparks card, but I think this is going to be the last straw for me.

Remember all those women that were murdered in Iran for protesting the introduction of the headscarf?

“How ironic then that women in Iran, Afghanistan etc see it as exactly that. If only they could have that freedom to choose.”

Leaving aside the fact that you don’t know the correct meaning of ironic, are you able to speak for the role of womanhood across these countries!?

Women protesting against force rather than choice. Women who always chose to wear a simple scarf protesting against full burka / abeya and virtual house arrest. Women who choose to wear hijab protesting a ban on dancing, or driving.

Women wanting freedom to choose is not the same as not wanting to wear simple hijab.

“There is nothing immodest about a woman's head.

Therefore, the concept of covering it in part or whole to be 'modest' is inherently flawed.”

Maasai women may Well say the same about breasts.

Actually ‘modesty’ ‘modest dress’ equates as much with ‘din’t flaunt, don’t show off or draw attention to your physical looks’ as it has to do with a concept of ‘indecency’ or ‘sexualisation ‘.

For the record, I can’t really be doing with women doing the full cover up, or little girls in hijabs or any form of coercion over any of it.

But DH’s cousins and SILs have over the last few years chosen to start wearing hijab. They have variously talked about feeling stronger about identifying as Muslims (but not feeling more religious as such), one has deepened her relationship with her faith, one started in a period of mourning for her mother and then decided she liked it.

it most certainly is ironic.

dawnmist I don't see the irony either. Can you explain how it"s ironic?

Can any of you answer the repeated question on this thread: why did we rarely see headcarves on young girls 25 years ago and NEVER on little kids?

The influence of political Islam pushed by the Saudis/Wahhabis (who the West need to keep sweet as they have oil).

^^

Luckily Tesla's are getting popular. So the goddamn Saudis are screwed.

Beesandfrogsandfleas

Who are some of the "important" Islamic female speakers we could learn from instead?

^^

Yes, I want to know this too. Because I'm damned if I see them marching in the streets and saying what they really think.

Last comment from me on this :

Lala - grandma (a very lovely and religious lady) never covered her hair in the West - she said the whole idea was that you didn't stand out in a crowd. Very sensible lady.

^^

Fair dos.

Odd how these days you see a hijab and a face full of makeup.

I mean, come on. You're either in or you're out. A head scarf and fuck me eyes?

Give me a break.

To quote Caitlin Moran... Are the boys doing it? No? Well, then it seems highly likely that there's some sexist bullshit afoot.

I'm not denying that there are complex and varied reasons behind different women's Muslim dress. But the bottom line is that the tendency to cover women in a way men are not covered springs from - if not oppression - then at the very least a fear of female sexuality. It's the same reason female nipples are hidden behind bikini tops but male nipples are fine. It's part of the same spectrum of sexism.

I don't want that for little girls.

People are inventing straw men left right and centre on this thread - all those cries of "Well, are you saying you're going to police girls' clothing choices?!"

No. OP is uncomfortable with the promotion of sexist ideas towards primary-aged children. She's suggesting expressing that feeling by boycotting M&S. There's no question of "telling women what to wear." She just has an opinion

Yes, I want to know this too. Because I'm damned if I see them marching in the streets and saying what they really think.

Search for TED talks by Muslim women on YouTube.

They can reach more people on YT then marching in the streets to satisfy your demands.

I mean, come on. You're either in or you're out. A head scarf and fuck me eyes?

Are you as judgemental about what white women wear and how they do their make-up?

You have ZERO right to judge how much make-up a Muslim woman wears. You're no better than misogynists. Sickening.

Little schoolgirls have no need to cover up. Let them be kids. Let them be girls.

iramramzan.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/the-ludicrous-irony-of-world-hijab-day/
This seems to save me the bother of explaining to people who don’t understand the irony.

dawnmist. So you can't actually explain the irony you're referring to?

If you can't explain it in your own words (rather than linking some random article on World Hijab Day), then you don't understand it.

It is nice to feel the wind in your hair mind

•Antigon* there's nothing wrong with putting up links to put your point across. It was quicker and easier to explain and it also makes the point that irony and the hijab are key words on a google search.

But if you insist on me explaining why I think it's ironic I will say that I see the irony in the fact that thousands of young girls and women across the Middle East have absolutely no choice how they can dress, they risk being beaten in the street if they dare to go out uncovered, yet here in the uk, women do have that choice, but bleat about how empowering it is etc and wear it with no regard for those that don't. I call that irony. Apart from that where's the solidarity.

That's not irony, dawnmist. Muslim women in the UK are not responsible for the actions of governments in the Middle East.

Your argument is with the people upholding those governments.

How many Muslim people do you actually know?

It is irony.

So no Muslim friends then? There's a surprise.

Oh my goodness...just hearing about this on LBC.

I agree Marks and Spencers are sexualising children. Allowing little children to cover up. Where in the Koran is that prescribed? Nowhere. Small sizes are apparently up to age 4 girls. This is abhorrant.

www.marksandspencer.com/hijab/p/p22522579?OmnitureRedirect=hijab&pdpredirect

and here's a bloody woman telling us on reviews that it fits her 4 year old. Absolutely sick.

I'm sure m&s are mourning the loss of your custom.

So no Muslim friends then? There's a surprise.
Oh dear you expected an answer straight away, I do apologise. Mustn't let things like driving get in the way. Yes I have two Muslim friends, but that's totally irrelevant to my remark about irony. The fact that you aren't responsible for governments doesn't negate what I have said.

YADBVVVVVVU.

For me, it is the complete opposite of 'when in Rome...' ...The fact is we do not identify as a Muslim country

People who chose to dress this way seem to have very little interest in integrating into the society in which they live

If you go to middle eastern country's, you HAVE to abide by their principles and way of life

I totally get the ''fuck me eyes'' comment - completely cover your head yet trowel the make up on?