By: Doaa Farid
Source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/
From a young age, I was told to wear my head scarf and instructed by my male counterparts that if they would see me outside on the streets without it, it would be a disgrace to the family. This is NOT my story, sorry people. Nor is it the fairy tale of most, if not all, Quebec Muslim women. But Premier Pauline Marois wants Quebecers to believe that the charter is a great opportunity for “oppressed women.”
I thank her and Democratic Institutions Minister Bernard Drainville for being so thoughtful, however, maybe if they actually asked our opinion, they would find out that we are more than willing to defend our choice of wearing the hijab (or even the niqab, for that matter).
This male hegemony of thinking that women need to be freed and told what to do has to change. I believe that women who wear any form of religious headgear are brave and courageous, showcasing their freedom of expression.
Do people really think that those wearing the niqab on the street do it because someone told them to do so? Will a woman really go through the hassle of being overtly expressive, leading to mistreatment and looks by people in the streets, just to please a male counterpart? Think again. The women I know do it out of conviction and the fulfillment of trying to get close to God. If people really want to experience what these women encounter every day, they will understand that they do it by choice. They do it out of modesty and integrity, for their own well being and happiness.
Others should stop telling women what they should wear and how they should act. This is unacceptable to any women with dignity.
We invite those heroes who wish to save Muslim women from oppression to have the courtesy of consulting Muslim women before they legislate what should be in their wardrobes.
I think one thing has to be clear: Muslim women have nothing to learn about gender equality from any of these individuals. Islam does not endorse male superiority. It honours both men and women. I can hardly understand why Muslim women’s dress is considered a sign of inferiority.
As a free (oops, I should say oppressed) woman who cherishes freedom of expression and multiculturalism, I find the charter very disrespectful and offensive to myself and others. I believe it is utterly unfair to the whole society of Quebec. It undermines the openness and acceptance of all Quebecers and puts all Quebecers to shame.
Is this is indeed a priority discussion to be having in our deteriorating economy? Is it just another political game to get some more votes?
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of MuslimVillage.com.