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Self evolution, Friends & Family issues

article on hijab

Message by: Catalin Mihai on June 21 2012 at 10:42 AM
Country: United Kingdom Joined: June 21 2012 Total Posts: 1

Hi all. Thank you for this very informative site and forum. As a European and non-muslim I am very intrigued to learn more about Islam (and other religions) because I believe education and cross-cultural exchange results in more tolerance and philanthropic attitudes.

I found your article about the hijab very insightful. According to it, the main justification for wearing the hijab seems to prevent women being molested and raped, and reduce the temptation of men. Now, as far as I know Islam is not a hypocrite religion (like Christianity), so if we apply the same principle globally, we would have to make kids wear the hijab (or even Burka) in order to reduce paedophilic acts. We would also have to body-cover ethnic minorities to reduce ethnic discrimination based on appearance, and turn our homes into quasi fortresses so that we are not burgled. Where does this end? Isn't it better to prevent the PERPETRATOR of an unethical act to commit that act, instead of merely suppressing the act temporarily? This prevention can happen through education and upbringing. Why castigate the potential victim even more? If we keep doing this, nothing will change. It is a bankrupt system of prevention that does not yield long-term solutions beneficial to society. Take for example the youth crime prevention system in the UK: CCTV at every corner, prohibition of hoods and caps in schools, potential arrests due to carrying even a pocket knife, and turning schools into fortresses with metal detectors and cameras. These drastic short-term solutions are not reducing crime. It needs to start with education, upbringing and freethinking. Three essential elements for freeing humanity from any counter-productive doctrines (whether political or religious).

My comments are not intended to challenge any cultural or religious beliefs. However, I believe that in this day and age we have to question any doctrine and tradition in relation to the individual and the social human being. If through discussions these traditions turn out to be beneficial, great. It will reconfirm and consolidate the paradigm. If they turn out to be precarious and archaic. Then, we have the power as human beings to revise them.

C

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