An interesting blog by Gena Somra about her experience of wearing the dreaded ‘niqab’.
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…Could I have dressed in my everyday western attire, or merely worn a hijab? Most likely, yes. But I have found there is an all-too-common misconception of westerners when we travel: we expect everyone else to accommodate our needs, our way of life, and our points of view, instead of trying to adapt to theirs…a misconception I wanted no hand in continuing to perpetuate…
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Even after the above assertion, many commentators to the blog demand that unless women expose themselves ‘appropriately’ they cannot be liberated going to the extent of calling for a UN resolution banning niqab worldwide.
I don’t really care what you do to women in the west, why is it your business going into other cultures and demanding they adopt your ways?
A couple of comments from the blog would explain why I ask the above question (and how much ‘respect’ they have for women):
lEE November 6th, 2010 9:01 pm ET
I dont recall the last time a muslim women came to venus beach and tried on a bikini to see the world thru a western woman’s eyes. Oh wait, they would have to be let out of the house for that, never mind!!
patriot0919 November 6th, 2010 9:12 pm ET
well,I don’t know you and what do you try to say,well,for me that I would happy a good looking islam chick wear a Bikini and interview me on the califonia beach,and I would also happy to adjust her bikini in a proper way if needed,then I would happy to talk with her things about our culture and way of living,hows that?see the different?thing is when you willing to listen in their way and back home write stuff like this and no one give a sxxt about it,and that islam chick if do the same as you and interview me the way I have said above,and back home write something like this,guess what???I am going dar