what is Hijab?

Hijab is the Arabic word for “Curtain, or Cover” it is taken from Hajb meaning to cover, to veil, to shelter. There are different concepts about wearing Hijab. Some wears  to delight their God, some to please their families and some to obey the law. but according to holy Quran, the reason Muslim women were asked to wear an outer garment when going out was to differentiate them from non-Muslims and recognize them as “believing” women in the society. The purpose of this verse was to protect women from streetwalkers for whom sexual harassment was/is an occupation. Holy Quran does not say that women should be veiled and kept at home away from mix society, conversely, it insisted in full participation of women in the society and religious practices. Unfortunately, the concept of Hijab in Quran has strongly been misinterpreted by powerful islamic groups.

They establish rules against women desires to remain home and avoid mix society. No legal rights and freedom have been recognized to them and if they go against their brothers or husbands, they should be punished. I believe, It is part of growing feeling in Muslim men that they no longer wish their wives and sisters to be independent and uncover, however the Muslim men meet and make relation with non-Muslim women who are not veiled and treat them respectfully, but not the same respectful treatment to Muslim women. Moreover, if they see Muslim women on street, regardless of any family connection, they feel responsible of their security and quickly acquire guardianship and if need be, they beat them like Taliban.

Women in Muslim countries like Afghanistan are compelling from very beginning. When a girl is born, different treatment is arranged to the girl. They are told to avoid men room, talking among elders, walking with out veil, joking with boys and even the mother is criticized of delivering a baby girl not a boy.whereas a different treatment is delivered to the boys of the same family. Girls are always shown and proven a weak human being and boys are strong. If a boy cries, the parent says, “are you a girl to cry?, or a boy never cries’. The boys get the sense of being a strong being, whereas if a girl cries they say “let her cry girls are weak and cry”. The girls get the sense of being soft, weak and men followers. Motivation, support and equality never delivers to the girls in the families, rather discrimination is growing inside till it spread out to the society that women find it hard to stand up and speak for their rights. Obligatory cases for wearing hijab are increasing. Most women are living against their desire in advance society like Australia. They are fully covered by black outer garments and tight veils; however their husbands or brothers walking by their sides are in European outfits. Question rises, why such discrimination in the same family from parents to their children? Why women should wear and behave against their wishes and oppositely not the same for men of the same family? Not only that, some other Muslim families believe by wearing Hijab, their personality will be protected and they will earn more respect in society. But does it mean  non-Muslim women do not have personality because they are not covered, or no one will respect them in the society? This is such an incorrect concept. Personality rises from a person’s knowledge, thoughts and the way (s)he grows up in the family and respect in the society again will be earned by your behavior and knowledge.  It has no connection with clothes, hijab and appearance. I think reconciliation of these incorrect concepts is necessary. Families should educate themselves and deliver equal treatments to their children. They need to understand that personality, Islam and region is not on appearance. It is in you and they way you behave and treat others.  people should increase their level of awareness and avoid religious practices like force marriages, hiding women in door and spending thousands to visit Macca asking for forgiveness. They should instead sponsor a poor family, provide shelter, food, clothes and medication for those who are suffering. I am one of the Afghan Muslim girls who do not cover, because I believe my region and my God is in my heart not in my appearance. If I want to please my God, I am going to please him by doing the right thing and helping people who are dying every day from hunger and medication luck.

So, let’s live practically and avoid religious exercises and make life easy. Avoid old concepts of keeping your wives and sisters indoor and forcing them to cover. Instead, ask them for help, make them work by your sides and speed your lives.  Aware yourselves about life around the world, respect other regions, wear what you find it comfortable, prevent human abuse and stop limiting your options in life.  Now here are some questions for you to answer,

• What do you think as a Muslim or Non-Muslim individual about Hijab?
• Does Hijab affect your personality?
• Is God going to be pleased if you cover, but not honest?
• Is God going to forgive you if you only visit Macca? 

Love to hear your voices!