i agree that no one should change who they are just to fit in.. you’re only deceiving and disrespecting yourself; have the courage to stand up for who you are and be proud of it!
but if you know youre going to be around racists, you’re gonna have to put up with people who will be racist or taunt you.. but remember that true faith in any idea is only proven when its tested.
bottom line.. yes, its wrong for someone to bash someone just because they wear a hijab. no, a hijab does not mean someone is a great person or better than anyone. yes, we should all tolerate ppl’s different beliefs.
I was trying to explain the background. If you read the article, this is a classic case of bullying. Bullying is a huge problem in UK schools. But this is definitely not a case of anti-Islam activity.
So lets all condem bullying and commend the state’s attempt to deal with by providing additional security.
You are correct that a piece of clothing should not be used to judge a person.
However we must realize that as human beings we do facilitate the right communication by wearing specific types of clothes. Here are few examples.
Priest’s white collar
Police uniform
Nun’s clothing
Doctor’s white coat
Soldier’s fatigue
etc.
etc.
Thus the type of clothing we have, identifies our character to large degree.
You should never show up for a executive level job interview without a coat and tie, trousers and clean black shoes (in pretty much around the world).
Similarly gangs wear certain type of clothing or symbols that identify their affiliation and thus a large part of their character gets represented by even a small tattoo.
For good or bad reasons, certain style of clothing gets associated with certain group, and thus the group’s behavior.
If Nuns start suicide bombings, you will see their garb as negative, no matter how pious it looks.
so in fact we HELP stereotyping by wearing clothes that are different from the mainstream.
Hijab too has become (sadly) associates with terror. And thus people react to it that way.
So if you chose to wear it, then be ready to get associated with the negative behavior.
Even though I personally support freedom of expression that includes speech and clothes etc.
But you gotta see the history of each style to know what is IN and what is OUT. And if you still go with OUT, then be ready for the negative reaction and do not complain, because YOU chose to appear in specific way.
— If you saw a man wearing a small topi called Yarumka in New York city, what you think of him?
He is probably Jewish (stereotyping? NOT!)
If he is wearing a suit then he is probably a wall street big wig (steretyping? NOT!).
If the same guy is walking in Sadr Karachi and if he is alive, he will be assumed to be supporter of Israel (Stereotyping? Not!)
Same way, if a Niqabi woman is walking in Sadr you will think of her as:
----- Jamat Islami member or at least a practicing Muslim (Stereotyping? Not!)
If the same woman is walking down Wall street, what would you “MOST LIKELY” think of her?
A wall street banker?
An orthodox Muslima?
A street walker?
A potenial Jihadi wearing a sui-vest under the burqa?
Is it A, B, C, or D?
And if you end up choosing one over the other based on your study and knowledge, would you then be blamed as a stereotyper?
Human beings just like animals, use, body paint (makeup), God given colors of skin, clothing etc. to show their status and their inclination in the society.
Why?
So that society in general would not confuse them with something they are not.
From Western point of view, Hijab, Nikab is associated with Middle Eastern tribal culture.
And no matter how hard you try it, it won’t be replaced with cat-walk woman from NY fashion scene.
