Say no to Valentine’s, yes to hijab!

Why are people so preoccupied with the piece of cloth that covers the hair? A woman’s dress is of little importance, they say, for as long as she performs her obligatory acts of worship.

Well, it’s not.

That thing we called Hijab or veil, is not just a piece of cloth. It is feared by some governments and threatened man-made political systems. Yes, it is rather funny that the piece of cloth which brings peace to many hearts of women is capable of doing all that.

A garment so powerful that we think the money-sucking-scheme Valentine’s Day is not worth remembering, let alone being celebrated. Put your money to something more useful, and long lasting as deeds to be counted in the hereafter.

Let us celebrate 14^th February as the International Hijab Day instead.

And let me tell you why Hijab, is a symbol of power!

HIJAB AND PHYSICAL OPPRESSION

Early last year, as I was reading the article on Hijab makes a return in Tunisia by *Yvonne Ridley (http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2011/01/21/hijab-makes-a-return-in-tunisia/), it struck me that the issue of Moslem women is still very closely related to Hijab, despite many attempts to downplay the significance of it.

*Yvonne Ridley is a British who made headlines after reverting to Islam, the religion of her kidnappers, the Taleban, barely 30 months after being freed. She is now a devout Moslem championing issues of Moslem women.

The regime of President Zainal Abidin of Tunisia had enforced rulings that disallow a Moslem woman to wear Hijab to school and workplace as early as 1980’s, as it viewed Hijab as an imported entity.  Turkey had once imposed such decree too but the ban was lifted in 2008 when the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assumed power. France and China are examples of non Moslem countries that from time to time, stir the Moslem hearts, by imposing such ridiculous prohibition in order to safeguard secularism and communism they uphold, respectively.

Given the turnaround of the events, why is it then Hijab which is oft repeated as nothing more than just a piece of cloth, becomes the target of a despot verdict and the cause of concern of western propaganda disguised as human rights group and feminist movement?

The truth is Hijab is neither just a piece of cloth nor simply a personal choice. Hijab reflects the strength of ideology that threatens corrupt regimes and corrupt practices. Hijab denies the grip of capitalism and secularism, which reduce a woman’s worth to only her choice of mascara, 6 inches stiletto or the lingerie. Hijab has the potential to cripple the industries that are capitalizing on women’s exploitation. It doesn’t agree with absolute obedience to state/ruler as in communism and fascism, as a woman submitting herself wholeheartedly to a fashion ordained by Allah, has no fear of others.

More story at ISMA Pusat