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Syrian woman tells men, “Cover yourselves up”
by Scott Gilbreath ~ October 25th, 2008
Syrian blogger Omniya is sick and tired of men saying that public verbal and sexual harassment is women’s fault for not covering up their bodies. She’s launched an online petition telling men to cover themselves up and not to stare at women.
Damascus clerics claim that the Quran requires women to wear a hijab (Islamic headscarf), but Omniya notes that Shariah dress codes vary between countries.
In Egypt, for instance, the Hijab means that the head cover is long enough to cover the top part of the woman’s body, down to her sides. They are surprised at the long jacket we wear here in Syria. In Jordan, the Hijab means covering the entire body with a robe which covers the neck and a scarf which goes in a circular motion around the head. Because of the anti-Hijab law in Tunisia, those wearing it, show their neck and hair, while in Kuwait, the uniform dress code is a loose Abaya (cloak), and a complete cover on the face, which also covers the eyes.
She’s had enough of feeling guilty and being harassed in public for making herself look attractive and thinks it unfair that men can dress as they please even though the Quran applies equally to men and women.
[W]hy are there no campaigns asking men who expose their bodies to cover up as well? Why are those campaigns restricted to girls only? Why don’t television stations attack men who leave their homes looking handsome? Doesn’t the verse from the Quran refer to both men and women? Where is the unified Shariah-compliant dress for men? Why don’t they have longer shirts, and a Shariah-compliant socks and black shoes imposed on them? Don’t girls have eyes too? And don’t they get lustful? Why don’t girls carry injections with ‘fire water’ in them and spray men who pass by them wearing jeans and tight t-shirts?
Omniya’s blog is in Arabic, but Amira Al Hussaini of Global Voices has provided a translation.
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October 26th, 2008 at 02:19 PM
salam
it’s quite interesting that u are following posts from our regions.
as far as i know, correct me if i’m wrong, canadaians do not know much about us or much about islam. it’s our fault definetly, as we do not show our image the right way.
i was curious to know what made you add this post to your blog?
October 26th, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Omniya, Thanks for your comment. Most Canadians probably knew very little about Islam before 9/11 but, since then, many of us have learned a great deal—not all of it pleasant. I have come to understand that Islam treats women as second-class citizens and have blogged before about the degrading dress code enforced on women in Muslim lands. I saw your blog post as an example of that and I wanted to support your effort to call to account narrow-minded Islamic authorities and insensitive Muslim young men. I wish you every success with your petition.
October 27th, 2008 at 09:51 AM
interesting,
Is this “Second class citizen “’s treatment something only to do with Isam?
and about the degrading dress code.. isn’t there a code imposed on women in chrisitanity and Judisim as well?
October 27th, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I can’t speak for Judaism, but there is no such special code for women in Christianity. The Bible enjoins everyone—male and female—to obey God’s will to be celibate while single and faithful in marriage.
October 27th, 2008 at 01:40 PM
what about the dress code which nuns wear?
October 27th, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Most nuns nowadays do not wear the traditional habits but, in any case, dress code for nuns would only apply to those women who choose to become nuns. Other women are not coerced or pressured to dress like that.
October 28th, 2008 at 01:26 PM
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