I was 11 years old the first time I witnessed a sort of privilege that men held and women lacked.
I was running on the white sandy beach in Ivory Coast and jumping in and out of the waters when one of my father’s friends arrived with his wife.
What struck me by surprise is the fact that she was wearing long sleeves with a long skirt and on top of that a head piece in the equatorial heat!
How are you wearing that? Isn’t it too hot for you I asked innocently.
She was not the one to answer, again something that surprised me, her husband answered on her behalf as if he is her spokesperson.
Soon you will be dressed like that too, he said with a smirk.
In fact how old are you for you look old enough to be veiled!
Veiled? What is that?
In the Quran, which is the holy book followed by Muslims, God tells the believing men and women to lower their gaze and to dress modestly. God specifically addresses women when He asks them not to show off their adornment, except that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their bodies. [Quran 24:30-31]
Why aren’t you veiled then I asked!
For I’m a MAN, he answered as if that is supposed to be reason enough for me to understand.
He said it with a superior tone, as if being a man is more elevated than what we other creatures are. Something that is the total opposite of what I had learned at home, for we are a family that cherishes women and respect them above all.
According to my dad, a muslim man,the Quran states that men and women have the same spirit, there is no superiority in the spiritual sense between men and women. [Quran 4:1, 7:189, 42:11]
The literal meaning of the Hijab, the Arabic word for veil, is to cover or to screen.
This act encompasses more than a dress code. It is a way to show modest dressing and behavior.
Its reflected in our language and actions rather than in our choice of clothes!
If we look at all religions, there is a certain dress-code used by the people that choose to serve the house of God. It is a way of showing respect by men and women. When entering a synagogue, church, mosque, or any temple, men and women have to be clean, lower their gaze, bow, each to serve the same purpose, respect the divine!
We were created to love, cherish, respect and honor. Never to mistreat or be discriminated against!
If you choose to practice violence and ego please do not do it in the name of any religion…
