Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Strength of the Hijab
Geraldine Brooks appears to misinterpret the role of religion in the life on the Arab woman. Iit was fascinating to learn that Mohammad changed his views on women, as it became convenient to lock them away. However we must keep in mind that Ms. Brooks appears biased and that there must be a lot of conflicting information about what happened in the 7th century. In defense of the Prophet, maybe it is better for his wives to live away from men, where their reputations will not be sullied by ridiculous gossip and they will be free to focus on more important things. Geraldine Brooks seemed most upset not about the religious, but about the fashion, conversion of her friend Sahar, yet if a woman has enough self-respect to wear ugly clothes and still feel good, then we can only envy her and perhaps try and emulate her strengh. Sahar felt freer in the hijab to focus on work, walk the streets, and make friends. She also felt more connected to her religion. Brooks seems to treat the conversion as a sort of mental illness, that adhering to religious beliefs so strongly is as hard to understand as the mind of a schizophrenic.She believes Sahar has imprisoned herself. Yet we should admire those with such strong beliefs and the will-power to maintain them. Indeed, Brooks would herself if she did not think they clashed so strongly with her own feminist ones. Her feminism seems to believe that there is one way for a woman to live a productive and happy life. This life does not seem to include ugly clothes or a faithful and strong connection to God and one’s faith. Yet is the one way of life for an Arab woman which drives her so insane. If Brooks seems to forget that a woman’s strength is oftentimes to look around and draw in the good from different ideas, not to be as militant as the men who fight wars. Because she forgets this, she forgets that she has no right to feel anger with the Islam which has made her friend so happy and free. She should be happy, for the peace of Sahar’s Islam may allow her to use the strength she derives from the hijab to bring peace to other Islamics. There are different ways to live and fight. as
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2 comments:
It is the extreme shift in her friend that seemed to surprise Brooks the most. Remember that the "conversion" to fundementalism goes beyond fashion and devotion. Women's rights were cut in half. Under fundementalist Islamic law, her husband could beat her and have three other wives, if he chose. While I fully support anyone's right to practice their faith however they choose, I shared Brook's surprise and concern at the extremism.
You say that "it is better for his wives to live away from men, where their reputations will not be sullied by ridiculous gossip and they will be free to focus on more important things". These women had very important jobs before they were secluded; some had been nurses while others preached in the Mosque. I am curious to find out what can be "more important" then helping dying people and helping spread the word of the new faith, Islam. Instead of continuing with their lives, the Prophet's wives have to hide behind a curtain in the rooms, only rarely leaving their jail. What are they going to do there, dwell on their depressing existence? It seems to me that their previous jobs, jobs that actually accomplished something, were far more important than the oppression that they now face. gr
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