What the Head Scarf Means, When Everyone Wears One

Middle East • August 2010 • Views: 1,116

This article, written in a style more appropriate for an Islamic women’s magazine than the NY Times, is disturbing on many levels. The author quotes a figure of 89% of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 to 29 wearing the veil, although the source of this figure, which seems inflated, is not mentioned. More disturbing is that the NY Times prints uncritically prints pieces like this that essentially glorify the subjugation of women in the name of religion. Read it for yourself and see.

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2 comments

What, me worry? Aug 12, 2010 9:12:11am

I don’t think it’s really appropriate to comment on what’s going on in Arabic countries where dress is concerned. For me, it’s under the heading of “When in Rome.”

A full on burqa is another issue and I do not believe in covering the face and the entire body with something other than normal clothing, but a scarf is nothing. Jews do it, too.

What is appropriate to complain about is the Taliban gunning down pregnant widows who have alleged affairs. Where is the public outcry about that?

God forbid a woman would be caught dead in the 21st century wearing a scarf when it was all the rage in 60’s. High fashion, in fact, set by the Divas of the day. The times they have a-changed.

Jackie O
Audrey Hepburn
Grace Kelly
1960 Vogue Scarf Patterns

Samson Aug 12, 2010 7:44:51pm

The article specifically asserts that 89% of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 and 29 wear “the veil” (i.e., face covering), not just “the scarf” (i.e., Hijab). While I am skeptical of this figure, which seems impossibly high, I should again point out that the author is not talking about scarves or fashion statements. This is not the same as the entire body being covered (i.e., Burqa), but if you do not believe in covering the face then you do not believe in this. And no, Jews do not do it too. Some orthodox woman wear wigs or other forms of head covering as a sign of modesty, but there is no group of Jews that advocates face covering for women.

While I do not personally advocate or approve of men or women having their faces covered in public, my opinion is of no concern to those living in “Arabic countries.” My complaint is about this pathetic article, which panders to those who actually do consider covering women’s faces in public acceptable or even advisable. I would be tempted to say that it represents a new low for the NY Times, but I will wait until later today to see what else is published first.

And yes, please do complain about the Taliban gunning down pregnant widows who have alleged affairs. The problem is that no one cares unless Israel can be blamed. Here is the website of the UN Human Rights Council, I suggest you contact them right away:

www2.ohchr.org

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