Today is World Hijab Day

[JI7]

World Hijab Day is designed to counteract these controversies. It encourages non-Muslim women (or even Muslim women who do not ordinarily wear one) to don the hijab and experience what it's like to do so, as part of a bid to foster better understanding.

The hijab has been a frequent target of criticism from people like Maryam Namazie, a vocal ex-Muslim and campaigner, who sees the garment as a form of oppression.

Organisers of this event say they were fed up with seeing the words "oppressed" or "subjugated" when it came to discussing the Muslim head-covering.

They reject the notion that women only wear hijabs at the insistence of a father or a radical member of the family.

This day, then, is about showing the world that women can choose the hijab willingly.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21283301

[Duckhunter935]

1. is there a day where

a woman can choose not to wear one without being punished?

[Fred Sanders]

3. Having to ask means you do not want the answer.

[Duckhunter935]

5. true

a sad situation

[Fred Sanders]

6. Yes, sad.

[cwydro]

21. !

Bingo.

[dhol82]

2. Well, having spent 8 days

Wearing a hijab, along with 'modest dress' during a tour of Iran, I can say that it was a pain in the butt and, being grateful that I was there in the fall, could not imagine what it would have been like in the heat of summer.

Essentially, it sucked.

Of course all the men could wander about as they chose.

Pathetic.

[Fred Sanders]

4. That is all you can say about a "tour of Iran"?

[dhol82]

11. The tour of Iran was amazing!!!

Loved every minute of it. Country was fascinating. Visited many holy shrines, where we women had to get loaner chadors because our modest dress was not modest enough, in addition to historical and political sites.

Whole country was very welcoming. Most people thought we were either Italians or Germans since those are generally the national groups visiting. Most were surprised that Americans had come to visit and were very pleased.

Was still annoyed by the end of the trip to have to be constantly aware of my hijab so that I did not offend someone's sensibilities.

One of the other women in our group told of needing some assistance in her hotel room. When the young man arrived at her door he had a major problem because she did not have her hair covered. Much averting of eyes and sidling aoudad the room. I mean, come on people. A guy gets nutsy jus because a woman has her head uncovered? And, as an addendum, this was a 70 year old woman dressed modestly just without her head covered. Let's get real with this.

[SheilaT]

18. I visited Iran in 1977, before the Revolution.

While many of the local women were quite covered up, no one expected me to do so.

I would not be willing to put up with that bullshit, so I guess it's good that I don't go to places like Iran these days.

[dhol82]

41. Must have been interesting.

Having read 'Reading Lolita in Tehran,' everything was so different for women (and most men) back at that time.
Reminds me of pictures I have seen of women in Egypt in the 60's.
I was saddened by the young women working everywhere who just accepted the status quo. Most wore the black chador. Actually, don't know if they can do anything in such a repressive society.
Heard from our guide that many of the young would like to go back to zoroastrianism (old Persian religion) but that would be killed for being apostates.
I hate organized religion.

[SheilaT]

42. It was. There was a genuine friendliness from the locals

that was difficult to square with the anti-American feelings not long after when the Revolution occurred.

I was there on my own, and I'd made friends with an American man there on business who was staying in my hotel. One day he was free, and we had breakfast together, then took a taxi out to the Shayyad Monument which was absolutely fascinating. He suggested we walk back to the hotel, probably about five miles, and it was just great. With a tall, strong American man at my side (I suppose everyone assumed we were husband and wife) I was perfectly safe. We simply strolled along, peeking in various shops along the way. Once a group of about five men insisted on posing for us. It was a genuinely delightful experience.

I also made friends with Pan Am crew members who also stayed at that hotel, and one of the flight attendants led a group of us to the bazaar, another amazing and wonderful experience.

Again, many women were wearing western clothing, and no one seemed to think any of us were inappropriately dressed because we weren't covered up.

[dhol82]

43. Just got back to this thread

Loved Iran. The people were all, universally, wonderful and happy to see Americans. At first they thought we were German or Italian since that is the majority of visitors. When they found out we were Americans they just got so effusive it was charming.

I had bought an abbaya before leaving the states (unfortunately in blush pink so it did not really fit in) so I wandered around in Tehran. Had no problem as a single female walking at least a mile from my hotel to try to find a shop that sold a particular type of sweet that I wanted to take back home. Had found this type of sweet in Ishfahan and wanted to get more as gifts to take back home. Anyhow, did not find it in Tehran but just wanted to say that I also did not have a problem as a single female walking around by myself.

Really, the only negative experience I had was at the Turkmenistan/Iran border. The Iranian guard practically spit in my face when I said I was an American. That was it. Everybody else was warm and welcoming.

It seems to be a lovely country (aside from the 'training hijabs' that they give to the six year olds) that has major problems because of the crazy government.

Sad. I put it at the feet of the CIA.

[msongs]

7. so when are all muslim men going to start wearing them on a regular basis? Oh sorry, only

women have to do that

[Duckhunter935]

10. I think they should nt

[JI7]

16. there are Sikh guys who wear the turban which is a lot more difficult to wear than the hijab

and those sikh guys want to do it.

[Jesus Malverde]

8. 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman in hijab

https://m.

[Duckhunter935]

9. should ladies have the choice?

I know I will be blasted but could she have worn a tighter shirt and a smaller sweater? She did seem to have an agenda and succeeded. How about something in the middle?

I think ladies should be able to wear what ever they want and are comfortable in. Men should not dictate their dress.

[JI7]

17. this is the one i thought was interesting

the woman didn't plan on doing any experiment. she just wore some knit cap, scarf etc over her hijab just because it was really cold. and she started to notice a difference in many people. from non muslim men, women , and other muslims also.

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/leena-suleiman-reveals-what-happened-when-she-covered-up-her-hijab/story-fniym3t1-1226824481862

[dhol82]

13. Gee

Set up, much?

False equivalency.

[riderinthestorm]

12. No thanks

I don't even wear a hat on my head in the Northern Illinois winters - I hate the "tight" feel.

I would be positively twitchy trying to wear a hijab for a full day. Something that tight around my face would drive me bonkers.

[mnhtnbb]

14. Why the hell would a woman wear that get up willingly?

No thanks. I'll wear what I want on my head.

[JI7]

15. because they can look cool and mysterious and a lot better than Christian Fundie Dresses

when i was in india i saw some women riding motorcycles with some covering . as the article in the OP says they look cool like ninjas.








or

[riderinthestorm]

19. They all look brainwashed to me.

Any cult that has religious garb solicits my pity for their level of indoctrination

[JI7]

20. and there are the men also

[11 Bravo]

22. You mean that's not the Weight Watchers bowling team?

[benz380]

31. Maybe it's genetic. They may all be related. nt

[One_Life_To_Give]

23. Why not everyone?

If we are going to have World Hijab Day it really should be for everyone to wear one, not just the women.

[mr blur]

24. Pics of Iran BEFORE the Islamic Revolution:

Why, they're just like... Real People!

More here: http://www.pagef30.com/2009/04/iran-in-1970s-before-islamic-revolution.html

[JI7]

26. this is Iran in the 70s before the revolution also

i don't think they are less "real" people based on how they are dressed.




more importantly is why there was a reovlution .

[JI7]

40. btw, before the revolution women were less likely to get equal education

and were kept at home .

education for women has improved since under the clerics and they make up majority in univerities .

there are a lot of problems with the islamic clerics who hold power in iran. but things like those pics can be misleading .

[randome]

25. You have got to be fucking kidding.

Let's celebrate the domination of women! It's only a lifestyle choice!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

27. it IS a choice for many in the West

[randome]

28. Sure. It's a choice to wear gloves on your ears, too, which makes as much sense.

I despise religions that use various forms of material clothing to distinguish themselves instead of their philosophies. And the hijab has only a tangential connection to religion, it's really about 'distinguishing' women as subservient.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

29. you feel that way about sikh guys who wear turbans ? who are they subservient to ?

and it's a lot more difficult to wear than the hijab

[randome]

30. They have a choice. Women usually don't.

Big difference. And yes, as in my first point, I despise religions (philosophies) that can't stand or fall on their own merit but must depend on a certain type of magic clothing.

There comes a point where it's necessary to move forward into the next century.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

32. many DO have a choice to wear it in the west

just like the sikh guys who go through more difficulty in putting on the turban there ARE women who would want to wear it.

you can disagree with the religion as i do since i'm an atheist. but it's still a choice for many .

[randome]

33. S&M sex play is a choice, too, but why would we encourage it?

Especially when the trappings of the hijab and other magic clothing are emblematic of actual slavery, not playtime.

'Many do', huh? A hell of a lot more don't have a choice.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

34. you don't have to encourage anything, it's about accepting that it IS a choice for many in the WEST

personally i would wear a full on burka than many of the christian fundamentist dresses i posted . and look at what huckabee is wearing.

i don't know why it would be surprising someone might want to wear a hijab which is pretty much a headscarf when people decide on their own to wear all types of shit.

[randome]

35. It's like flying the Confederate flag, IMO.

Sure, there's nothing wrong with that on its own. But what is the Confederate flag emblematic of? What do we all know that the hijab represents for the majority of the Islamic world? The answer is 'subservient women'.

This is cultural equivalency run amok.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

36. that's like saying not eating pork is a symbol of oppression

since it's banned in many of the muslim countries.

in Turkey head covering was actually banned for many years.

[randome]

37. Again, that's a choice, unless one is stoned or tortured for violating the ban.

Then it is a symbol of repression.

But no one is asking that we adopt some other religion's dietary prohibitions in order to show some sort of weird solidarity with others.

More Islamic countries need to get their heads out of the dark ages and recognize that religion/nationality/tribe/clothing/diet doesn't matter so much as one's passage through life.

And yes, I mean that for the Jewish religion, as well, which is only the other side of the same coin when it comes to magic clothing and ritual.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

38. i'm pretty sure pork is banned and many don't have the choice to eat it in many muslim nations

[randome]

39. And that's simply fucked up.

Superstition instead of science still rules in that part of the world. For all the noise that Conservatives make here in America, for the most part we still keep religion at arm's length.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[msanthrope]

44. I'd like "World We Get To Wear Whatever The Fuck We Want Day." nt

[DustyJoe]

45. one might wonder

How would other religions/cultures view a 'today is world crucifix day' ?

Why have a world anything day with so many clashing cultures ?

Maybe just to promote the negativism that is sure to happen IMO.