Ban the Hijab??

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

I personally do not wear a hijab but was still highly disturbed when reading this story on the BBC World News website…especially with the term, “Political Islam”.

I believe that if a woman wants to willingly wear a hijab, then more power to her! The hijab should not be used as a mechanism to block women’s entry into the government, schools, etc. which is what is currently occuring in Turkey.

Such stories first came to my attention when a couple of years ago, a woman who was voted into the Turkish government was thrown out by her colleagues due to the fact that she was wearing a hijab.

So much for Turkey being a democratic society!

2

*By Firdevs Robinson *
BBC Turkish section reporter

The headscarf debate - one of Turkey's most controversial issues - is hotting up again following the landslide election victory of the Justice and Development Party.

The party, which now has a comfortable majority in the new parliament, is trying hard to convince the establishment that it does not pose a threat to the country's secular system.

Its leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is choosing his words carefully and trying to steer clear of controversial issues.

For Turkey, lifting the ban on headscarves may prove to be more difficult than abolishing the death penalty.

Ban tightened

Mr Erdogan's party, which tried hard to avoid the issue during the election campaign, is now once again forced to deal with it.

The Turkish press is asking what will happen if the prime minister's wife turns up at an official reception wearing a headscarf.

Wearing the Islamic-style head covering is banned in Turkish government offices, schools and universities.

Enforcement of the ban has been tightened since 1997, when the country's first Islamist prime minister, Necmettin Erbakan, was forced by the military to step down.

The subsequent closure of his Welfare Party by the Constitutional Court was partly due to one of its female members of parliament wearing a headscarf in the assembly.

The Justice and Development Party has always avoided confrontation over the headscarf issue and decided not to put forward any female candidates wearing an Islamic head covering.

Seeking consensus

Mr Erdogan chose to educate his daughters abroad, but his wife wears the kind of head covering which is considered a symbol of political Islam.

For legal reasons Mr Erdogan cannot become prime minister, so the party has to nominate another candidate. Mr Erdogan's deputy, Abdullah Gul - regarded as the strongest candidate - also has a wife with a headscarf.

Party leaders say they will not ignore this issue but try to solve it during their term in office by achieving a public consensus.

Mr Erdogan has indicated that they may try to lift the ban on university students first - but he has warned that he will not allow the issue to be exploited by either the religious extremists or the staunch secularists

3

Re: Ban the Hijab??

[QUOTE]
Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
I personally do not wear a hijab but was still highly disturbed when reading this story on the BBC World News website....especially with the term, *"Political Islam".**
[/quote]

Crooks can make whatever they want.

4

This is more a political topic.

Bottom line.. Rogue Armies.. the root cause of evil and the first chamchas of foreign elements.

There should be no ban NOR enforcement of dress codes.. So if someone likes to wear headscarves.. let them knock themself out but the trouble starts when the people who wear them start acting holier-than-thou and as if they are fulfilling some grand divine commandment and look down upon those who choose not to follow suit... in that case, Turkey may be better off without that please of cloth.

5

I think it comes down to personal choice. If they want to wear a hijab and go to university and get a government job, then I don't see why they should be stopped.

By forcing their people not to wear a scarf if they want to, then there will be definite trouble brewing in Turkey.

6

i agree :k: Good thread, Mehnaz.

7

Nothing wrong with wearing Hijab, so long as they respect other womens' right to wear bra and undies in public, or not.

8

Well we all have to live with the aftermaths of Kemalism and the secularism he envoked into the people of Turkey the astonishing thing is islam still did not leave the land !

9

As far as I remember, this started because Turkey was trying to fit in with the European Union countries to become a member and now EU members are saying that it's the only Muslim country and has a totally different culture. * tsk tsk tsk *

10

i think their disgusting hypocritical slimeballs
I cannt believe theyre calling themselves 'democratic'

11

interesting fact is that to gain entry into EU.. they may have to allow wearing of headscarves by women.

It all comes down to personal freedoms enshrined within the European Law.

I would guess that the military establishment which is so inclined to push turkey into EU may have to push the govt to pass a legislation to allow women to wear headscarves in govt buildings.

easiest way forward is for the new govt of turkey to hold a referendum on the issue.. full legitamacy in eyes of the public.

12

I met Mr Erdogan's kids today at an iftar dinner. They go to my school. They are mashallah such nice people! Religious and have achhi adats. The girls wear hijab.

13

Turkey is a muslim country but it is trying so hard to be not classified as one. They want to become european and they want the EU to accept them like any other European country.

But Turkey needs to understand that no matter what they do they can never be a part of the West.
Look at their economy for God sakes! Their currency is one millionth of a dollar....they need to stop sacrificing for the West. It will do no good to them but damage them more than ever.

14

My Friend,

I am not of your faith.

But my logic tells me that banning is wrong.

Allow those that practise religion faithfully, (or in the old ways), wear them if they desire.

If wearing hajib (Spelling might be wrong), makes you uncomfortable in the modern World. Then don't.

If it if gives you a feeling of holiness..then wear.

Because its God talking to you. A feeling.

And he isn't talking to you to Force you to wear it. Definately not to make wars over it. Its just a special blessing that he recognizes.

People,

God is not stupid.

Do you think he would measure your goodness on whether or not you wear a hajib?

(It''s the goodness in your soul he is watching, not your clothes.)

Do you think he would judge you to be good or bad because you wore a hajib or not?

If I was of your religion, I would wear one if wearing one made me feel closer to God.

15

Those who wanna wear it should be allowed, and those who dont want to shouldnt be forced too. It should be optional.

16

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by NYAhmadi: *
Nothing wrong with wearing Hijab, so long as they respect other womens' right to wear bra and undies in public, or not.
[/QUOTE]

I agree with this statement.