What's going on in Canada? Harper OUT, Liberals IN

[OYMWA]

Re: What’s going on in Canada?

@Jolie

My argument would be, why choose a path** which is not even compulsory/desired in Islam** to bring bad name to your religion in a country that understands and appreciates very little about your religion? Surely, Muslim for sake of their religion, can make a fair and flexible choice. Wearing Niqaab in Western country attracts far more attention (the irony!). It risks your own safety and raises misconceptions about your religion that encourages none of these practices. So what should you do? It’s some food for thought.

I completely understand the reasons why some women choose to wear niqaab in certain countries - it saves them from predatory eyes, harassment, identification for revenge attacks and stalking purposes. Until there’s no law in place to protect women and serve as deterrence, women will choose their own measures for security and safety. But really, what do you achieve by wearing Niqaab in Western countries where people don’t even have the time to look at you unless you are intentionally dressed to attract attention (any sort!) - attires like micro mini or and niqaab would fall in that category.

This is where ulema differ. For someone that wears niqab, it is in fact compulsory and we should respect that.

Like @Captain_Obvious pointed out, the perception ( and/or persecution ) of muslims is out of ignorance and xenophobia. If we simply change our ways, we are not adding any value to this society and we are missing out on an opportunity to educate them. Not because they are ‘backward’, but because we want to leave a better society for our kids.

Frankly, I’d be more wary of muslims who go ‘underground’ when they encounter such bigotry, rather than challenge it lawfully. Those are the ones that are capable of real damage to the muslims in the west.