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Halal Police and Secular Brigades

VCheng

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I hope this is not a repost:

from: Of Halal police and secular brigades | Blog | DAWN.COM

Of Halal police and secular brigades
by BushraS on September 17th, 2011

A few days ago, I read a post about the righteousness and haughtiness of the so-called the halal police. It reminded me of a topic I had taken up when I had just started my career; but one that I had not re-visited since. The point of discussion was how a hijab or abaya-clad woman feels in a world full of extremely opposing views.

I wear an abaya. I have been wearing one since I was fifteen years old. Part of the reason behind observing this Islamic requisite is respecting God’s order; part of it is respecting the tradition of my family. (For the purpose of this post, I will intermittently refer to myself as a “hijabi” only because of the ease with which this term fits in sentences!)

Having studied in all-girls school and college, I never really realised the effect a hijabi girl has on others. The first time I experienced it was as a graduate student. There was a book launch event outside college premises and our head of department had asked us to meet her there. When I reached the venue, and made eye contact with her, the look I saw in her eyes was enough to make me pause. Her smile froze when she saw me, and I could see her spacing out as she tried to process my appearance. All of this took hardly a couple of seconds before she politely averted her eyes.

I’ve read a lot about peoples’ exasperation about how overtly religious men and women make them feel uncomfortable by their blatant show of righteousness. I don’t deny it. It happens. It even happens to me. I have been questioned about and commented on many things including my appearance. The questions have ranged from why I was wearing nail colour to why was the lock of hair visible over my forehead.

It’s a difficult world out there with both extremes of the spectrum, conservatives and liberals, nurturing a certain idea of “modesty” and “emancipation” respectively. It requires a continuing effort of vigilant observation, judgement and decision based on how people perceive you.

The easiest to recognise and deal with are the traditional, conservative men. They see your hijab (and abaya) and immediately put you in the “good girl” category. In public offices or out on the street, they generally treat you with respect and courtesy. This attitude lasts, however, only till you fit their definition of a pious woman. The minute you step out of that circumscribed role — debate something, aggressively contest their viewpoint, or be authoritative — there’s a definite change in behaviour.

Then there are “liberals,” the beacon of civil rights in Pakistan including freedom of choice and diversity. It’s a bit tricky dealing with them. Some are genuinely not concerned about your appearance; they wait to converse with you before forming any opinion. However, their number is painfully small. Generally, there are two reactions which you face while meeting such people for the first time. They either politely smile at you, very unsure about how to act and especially what to say. It takes a little extra effort on your part to put them at ease about you not being one of those tableeghi ladies out to correct all evils of the world. The other kind takes the easy way out and simply ignores you. With most, it takes a couple of interactions for them to understand the general direction from where you are coming. Once you pass that hurdle, you’re usually good to go. A rare few actively avoid the opportunity to know you. Their ingrained biases towards what a person in a hijab or abaya must be like freezes their brains beyond any rational objectivity.

I understand people’s strange reactions towards me. I wear a very overt symbol of religion, that too in black colour (which has more of a fashion value than a religious one). It’s not a small cross on a chain tucked under a shirt, or an imam zaamin discreetly tied around the wrist. It’s a cloak which booms the message of my supposed religious identity to everyone. How can people not be affected by it?

But the reality is that there are thousands of women out there, including me, who observe this one edict of God out of thousands more. Wearing a hijab or an abaya does not automatically put us in the category of rigidly conservative mindset. Being a hijabi does not mean you are the epitome of a pious Islamic woman and a model for others to follow. It definitely does not automatically mean you are an authority on religion. Yet, I’m continually looked upon as a source for Islamic references. In a discussion, whenever a religious reference comes up, many a times speakers have subconsciously looked at me for affirmation or denial.

But frankly, the reality is that I’m as knowledgeable about Islamic history, jurisprudence and theology as any average urban adult who studied Islamiyat in school. I don’t understand Arabic; I cannot quote randomly from the Quran; I don’t even know all the names of Ashra Mubashra, and I definitely do not represent the entire Muslim (read rigidly conservative Muslim) community.

Sometimes explaining yourself just gets exhausting.

The point is: there seems to be some sort of huge communication gap between the conservative and liberals of this country. Whereas the problem does lay a lot with the conservatives in terms of their rigid views, which they are entitled to as long as they are not being projected on others, some of the liberals hold the responsibility for this divide as well. I have been constantly told by people who know me as a liberal person that I cannot be a free thinker till I take off my hijab — a notion I find ridiculous and offensive. My decision to hold power over who gets to see me without my hijab has no bearing on any other part of my life. This constant bickering that continues with a few of my leftist friends, sometimes in jest, but sometimes in earnest, about my choice to cover myself is symptom of a deeper malaise. They are so rigid in their view about what a hijabi girl is supposed to be, they refuse to accept my practice just on the basis of their rigid principles, something they are quick to accuse conservatives of.

In 2007, there was a huge rally organised by civil society on Mall Road, Lahore. They were protesting the new trend of Jamia Hafsa women forcing their morality and code of conduct on others. I was the only abaya-clad girl in sight, and as you can imagine, a big source of attention. Media people wanted to know why I was present (as if just because I cover myself, I’m waiting for the day I can beat others with a stick to do the same). Some “activist” ladies wanted me to hold anti-extremism placards and take pictures with them. It felt a bit like a circus show.

Admittedly the likes of us — women who choose to observe pardah while not letting it dictate what they feel is rational and true — are few in quantity. But we are very much present. And I’d like to be treated as equal humans and not like some frail flower or a ticking time bomb.
 
I’d like to be treated as equal humans and not like some frail flower or a ticking time bomb.

Alas, so long as those are the only options, Ms. Bushra, you'll find that you will be treated as both.
 
Alas, so long as those are the only options, Ms. Bushra, you'll find that you will be treated as both.

I suppose it is up to both sides to comes to a middle ground. This compromise, of course, has to be different for different cultures and countries, but will require concessions from both sides.
 
VCheng, I have heard that you are very passionate about helping Pakistan in a positive way. You also want Pakistan to be a secular state, which many of us agree.

" there seems to be some sort of huge communication gap between the conservative and liberals of this country."

VCHENG and MUSE, we will appreciate if you turn off your computer and make a real life contribution.
Can you come to Pakistan and help us?
Or you will just fight on the forum like many others?
 
VCheng, I have heard that you are very passionate about helping Pakistan in a positive way. You also want Pakistan to be a secular state, which many of us agree.

" there seems to be some sort of huge communication gap between the conservative and liberals of this country."

VCHENG and MUSE, we will appreciate if you turn off your computer and make a real life contribution.
Can you come to Pakistan and help us?
Or you will just fight on the forum like many others?

Of course, but only if you can point out how being physically inside Pakistan would be better in helping, rather than being anywhere else.
 
Take the example of your Quaid, Jinnah. He could have fought for Muslims residing in unified India as he was a lawyer in Britian. But he came back to India to make a physical and ideological difference.

Look at Ana Hazare: He could have posted his views on forums like you, me, muse and many others but he contributed physically.

So, you can also come back and start a movement, no?

As far as I know, you do not like any current political party including PTI. So, why not start your own political party and gather the masses?
 
Take the example of your Quaid, Jinnah. He could have fought for Muslims residing in unified India as he was a lawyer in Britian. But he came back to India to make a physical and ideological difference.

He went back to India to take up his law practice after completing his studies. It was only later that he went into the political arena, after having made a fortune from his law practice.

Look at Ana Hazare: He could have posted his views on forums like you, me, muse and many others but he contributed physically.

His fight against corruption is due his being directly affected by it. Not a correct analogy for me, I'm afraid.

So, you can also come back and start a movement, no?

A movement for what?

As far as I know, you do not like any current political party including PTI. So, why not start your own political party and gather the masses?

And why would that be any more more successful than all the other existing players?

Anyway, let's get back to the topic, which is NOT me. :)
 
"His fight against corruption is due his being directly affected by it. Not a correct analogy for me, I'm afraid."

So, if you are not affected by it including many other issues than why are you here, at all?

"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. ~Don Wilder "

Carry on.

Good luck my online champ, fighter.
 
"His fight against corruption is due his being directly affected by it. Not a correct analogy for me, I'm afraid."

So, if you are not affected by it including many other issues than why are you here, at all?

"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. ~Don Wilder "

Carry on.

Good luck my online champ, fighter.

Like I said, when did my person become a topic here? This thread is on something else entirely.

If you create another thread more suitable for what you want to discuss, I will be happy to participate there too.

(My work supporting Pakistan is not only online, but that is also not the topic here. :) )
 
"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse. "

"(My work supporting Pakistan is not only online, but that is also not the topic here.)"

Good luck with that secret area 51 type mission you accomplished helping Pakistan.
 
"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse. "

"(My work supporting Pakistan is not only online, but that is also not the topic here.)"

Good luck with that secret area 51 type mission you accomplished helping Pakistan.

LOL!

Nothing I do is top secret. My work is well known by those who need to know.

Now can we please get back to the topic?
 
I am sure that you made a great contribution by residing abroad.

"If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another."

Carry on, you are not obliged to reply here.
 
I suppose it is up to both sides to comes to a middle ground. This compromise, of course, has to be different for different cultures and countries, but will require concessions from both sides.

that can only be achieved if both sided don't enforce their views on each. If other side not willing to listen, just deliver your mesaage and move on. A real life of example of Prophet Mohammad. He didn't force anyone to accept Islam. Only preached his views
 
This was an interesting article. It is true that a woman wearing a head scarf for modesty reasons(religion sanctioned) might make other women (& men) uncomfortable since there is an implied reasoning that she could consider those without a similar attire immodest. Very few people like this lady can make a religion driven choice & yet not make mental judgments about the choices of others.
 
I am sure that you made a great contribution by residing abroad.

........................

Ah, the jealously comes through finally! :D

Please feel free to stay clear of me then and do consider adding me to your ignore list. I will continue to do whatever I have been, and if you don't like it, then it is your problem, not mine.


that can only be achieved if both sided don't enforce their views on each. If other side not willing to listen, just deliver your mesaage and move on. A real life of example of Prophet Mohammad. He didn't force anyone to accept Islam. Only preached his views

There is no compulsion in religion. As long as the Hijabi brigade carries on in this manner, there should be no problem. But when they start to force their views on others, it is just as bad as the LBGT community trying to force their views on the mainstream community.

This was an interesting article. It is true that a woman wearing a head scarf for modesty reasons(religion sanctioned) might make other women (& men) uncomfortable since there is an implied reasoning that she could consider those without a similar attire immodest. Very few people like this lady can make a religion driven choice & yet not make mental judgments about the choices of others.

But as long as those considerations and thoughts remain internalized, everyone should be at least able to live together in peace.
 

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