The writer is the social media head for the web desk at The Express Tribune. She tweets @EmaAnis
While there’s nothing specifically wrong with superheroes abroad, there is the fact that they are not really ‘Pakistani’ looking; their attire is completely out of place. We don’t wear swimsuits or knee-length skirts here, do we? No matter how hard I try, I just cannot imagine a Pakistani superwoman fighting the Taliban, let’s say, in Sohrab Goth, wearing these clothes.
Recently, though, I came across an incredible video for a brand new female superhero for the 21st century distressed Pakistani. ‘Burka Avenger’ is the name she goes by.
The first thing that came to my mind was, “Oh my God, this is excellent animation! Finally our artists are starting to go mainstream. Oh, the quality!”
I was in raptures. I immediately shared the trailer on my personal social media accounts and clocked in a reminder of when the show would air. But what happened next broke my heart. I came across innumerable, disdainful tweets criticising the disguise of this local superhero. “Burka! Burka! Bad burka! No burka! Why burka? This burka and that burka”.
But wait, isn’t this really good animation, very creatively produced with a positive idea promoting education? No, the highlight of this great breakthrough is the fact that the main character wears a burka.
What’s so wrong with a burka anyway? And if it’s okay to call a veiled girl a ‘ninja’ after superhero cartoons, why is it wrong to name a veil clad superhero ‘Burka Avenger’?
This superhero is inventing a new type of martial arts. She looks like a ninja and fights crime wearing a dress that helps in hiding her identity and blends into the crowd simultaneously. The character itself, the ‘ordinary’ girl behind ‘Burka Avenger’, is not hijabi. Her superhero costume is just that — a costume.
I’m a feminist myself and I believe in giving all due rights to women. But I ask again, what has a burka got to do with freedom and how can this piece of attire restrict freedom?
My colleague who sits next to me wears a burka. No one else in her family does and according to her, this choice has nothing to do with religious reasons. She wears the burka because she’s “too lazy to dress up every morning”. On other occasions, she chooses not to wear the burka and dresses differently.
My mom wears a burka occasionally; no one forces her to. When she’s cooking in the kitchen, still in her night-suit, and needs something quickly from the nearby market, she’ll pull on her burka and be back with her stuff within 10 minutes. What’s wrong with her being comfortable with this practice? I highly doubt she feels oppressed or restricted by this habit.
I’m all for freedom and I believe that the burka is not the opposite of freedom. I agree we live in a patriarchal society where women get negligible rights. I have seen this phenomenon with my own eyes and I have gone through it myself. However, creating hype about non-issues like burka-clad animated characters, when we have real issues badgering us every second, is not going to help.
Condemning ‘Burka Avenger’ does not make anyone cool and liberal. I think this innovative cartoon series is an excellent effort. It’s unique, it’s Pakistani and children will be able to relate to it. I highly doubt that any girl will feel compelled to wear a burka after watching a cartoon character that wears one. Stop criticising just for the heck of it. She’s fighting all the bad men — the ‘Vadero Pajeros’. Appreciate that.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (81)
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Those who donot like women in burqa are welcome to keep away from it, rather be in the natural dress.
@amin khan: Yeah, right. After the woman's been abused and beaten into it. You are a liar - and so are these women pretending to be happy wearing the burka. They are lying because they are afraid.
@Hitler: BULLCRAP. So sick of these LIES. You should be ashamed of yourself. It IS oppression, sexism, misogyny and all the rest.
BOO!!!!
@ADEEL: It's DISGUSTING that you believe viewing women as a piece of meat to be covered is okay. There is nothing wrong with the female body, and if women want to show it off, that's their business.
The burka is anti-women EVIL. Those who defend it are VILE.
@someone you started your comment by one word that makes all the difference - 'IF' ........ everything else you said automatically becomes meaningless .. dont worry you have all my sympathies!
@Shridhar: in islam women are to dress modestly, burqa is not compulsory, please clear this misconception, and its just that burqa is more convenient that fulfill the demand of dressing modestly more easily in todays period. its easy to buy, easy to wear , easy to cover! thats why muslim women prefer burqa.
@Chulbul Pandey: i think u have slight misconception about burqa, its necassary in islam to dress modestly whether its a covered sari or shalwar kameez or anything for women(burqa is not necassary) and as for men they have to lower their gazes to control themselves.(but like every other religion few are practising) and you also have to clear this misconception that women are oppressed by wearing burqa or something like that,(its totally wrong) because nobody forced me to take burqa and i dont think so anyone is being forced to wear burqa or abaya.. @Indian: i think he is bit confused about the concept of burqa so its okay if i let him understand and clear his misconception. btw i recommended your comment. thankyou!:)
@GIndian:
"One word – ugly looking and not suitable for hot and humid geographical area like Pakistan."
That depends on what one tries to cover up!
I understand that there is always a deep rooted science behind everything practiced in Islam, which for non-believers like me are difficult to understand..... But I always wondering what is the science behind wearing black colored burkha??, that too in Hot climate countries like Middle East & South Asia...???
It is your right to wear whatever dress you are comfortable with...but at the same time we have to consider local culture & traditions while following any dress code.. As we don't like western women to wear bikini in Muslim majority countries, likewise we should avoid wearing face covering veil in western countries as they feel it is against their culture...
Someone wearing it voluntarily , is just fine. Nothing wrong with it. Its not right when you are forced , under societal or legal compulsion to wear it. Then it becomes a repressive tool.
@Indian: Dear Indian brother, your attempt to educate us is appreciated :) However, you may have missed my point in its entirety. Saying that women should wear Burqa because of miscreants on the street is like making men starting to wear full body armor because of bad law and order situation. We need to fix the problem in the society rather than dictate what women should wear. . As far as comments on TOI is concerned, the less said, the better. The comments section there is not moderated like it is on ET. Otherwise, we would see similar comments here as well. You yourself mentioned that our culture is similar to Pakistan, right? :D
And lastly, in your eagerness to educate the rest of us, you incorrectly jumped on conclusion about my identity. :D I am not a woman but so nice of you to assume and start calling me your sister. :D . Sincerely Your Indian Brother ;)
@Citizen: an excellent response i must say ..... the 318 recommendations on kaalchakra's views scare me .......
@Annie: Very good thanks for standing up for us girls:-) :-)
@ds: Very well said
I think its about time that people learn to differentiate between what is ordained in Islam and what is in fact part of Arab culture but has been imported into our country under the wrong pretenses. The burqa has nothing to do with Islam, it is merely the form of dress which Arab women (that too mostly in the Gulf area) have worn for centuries. Those who have been to that part of the world will also know that the burqa helps protect oneself from the oven hot winds in the summer, much the same way as the thobe worn by Arab men. Islam asks for women to cover their head which is done so by the hijab and does not require one to cover their face. Islam also asks women to dress modestly, which I think can be done quite well by our shalwar kameez and does not require covering from head to toe. That being said, for those who don't seem to understand, "burqa avengers" is a form of cultural satire. It takes a piece of women's clothing that is admittedly often associated with women's denial of freedoms, and uses it to allow its superhero to conceal her identity as she fights for women's education. One can see the irony. It does not actually advocate women to wear the burqa nor does it reject it. The superhero is a masked vigilante much like Batman or Superman. People did not start wearing Batman costumes to work after the Dark Knight came out. Finally, @kaalchakra I find your comment ridiculously offensive. Your implication that all women not wearing burqas are out selling their bodies for a few coins disgustingly portrays perception of women. I am not sure what has given you this idea but I would suggest that you consider changing the company of women that you keep.
You want to wear a burka, do it by all means. However, please don't judge those who choose not to wear it just because YOU do it. You don't want to wear a burka, don't wear it but please don't judge those who choose to wear it because YOU find it less attractive / oppressive etc. ....... how tough is that to do .....
@Chulbul Pandey Also, I am sure that you know the reason why Burqa was made mandatory for Muslim women – something to do with their body being some kind of sin or something……..
You are confusing christian teachings to Islamic ones here..I believe all these posters would rather have people wearing bikinis or bodices...try doing that in New Delhi..forget bikinis..try roaming around dhaula kuan in New Delhi or Gurgaon or Ghaziabad..and see what happens..and yes dont forget the pepper spray..you may need it...
If someone wears the Burka out of piety or just because she feels comfortable in it, let her be...those preaching otherwise especially from India should first look at home. Open the timesofindia and you'll literally see many many cases of rapes and gang rapes happening almost daily..not a day goes by without a couple of gruesome rapes or gangrapes being reported..and that is just the tip of the iceberg..India, just like Pakistan has a shame culture..especially in the North and the Northwest..so many many more might be happening almost daily...not relating this to the indecent exposure is naive...seeing my country men lecturing those in Pakistan without paying any heed to whats happening at home..
Just like stripping down to protest sexual attacks on women does nothing more than becoming eye candy to the standing males around.. in the same fashion absolving any responsibility on the part of the female when it comes to dressing appropriately and laying the onus on men is utter foolishness..
Secondly you are lucky that people are responding to you in such a sane and civil manner. May be the English language press in Pakistan is only read by the elite few or only by the liberals...I invite you women to dry debating guys in the comments section of the timesofindia..and see the kind of words and response ull evoke..ull see some real colorful language there and the attacks would be so vicious u'd never dare to comment something there..english has penetrated so deeply in India, that every shukla/sharma or yadav who has deep seated subconscious hatred for any thing thats not conformant..these comments get even more vicious when the comment is related to christians or muslims. The comments are absolutely nauseating. Perhaps these Joans should try their hand there.
ET: Please publish this as I would like these 'sisters' of mine to have a reality check.
@Chulbul Pandey Also, I am sure that you know the reason why Burqa was made mandatory for Muslim women – something to do with their body being some kind of sin or something……..
You are confusing christian teachings to Islamic ones here..I believe all these posters would rather have people wearing bikinis or bodices...try doing that in New Delhi..forget bikinis..try roaming around dhaula kuan in New Delhi or Gurgaon or Ghaziabad..and see what happens..and yes dont forget the pepper spray..you may need it...
If someone wears the Burka out of piety or just because she feels comfortable in it, let her be...those preaching otherwise especially from India should first look at home. Open the timesofindia and you'll literally see many many cases of rapes and gang rapes happening almost daily..not a day goes by without a couple of gruesome rapes or gangrapes being reported..and that is just the tip of the iceberg..India, just like Pakistan has a shame culture..especially in the North and the Northwest..so many many more might be happening almost daily...not relating this to the indecent exposure is naive...seeing my country men lecturing those in Pakistan without paying any heed to whats happening at home..
Just like stripping down to protest sexual attacks on women does nothing more than becoming eye candy to the standing males around.. in the same fashion absolving any responsibility on the part of the female when it comes to dressing appropriately and laying the onus on men is utter foolishness..
Secondly you are lucky that people are responding to you in such a sane and civil manner. May be the English language press in Pakistan is only read by the elite few or only by the liberals...I invite you women to dry debating guys in the comments section of the timesofindia..and see the kind of words and response ull evoke..ull see some real colorful language there and the attacks would be so vicious u'd never dare to comment something there..english has penetrated so deeply in India, that every shukla/sharma or yadav who has deep seated subconscious hatred for any thing thats not conformant..these comments get even more vicious when the comment is related to christians or muslims. The comments are absolutely nauseating. Perhaps these Joans should try their hand there.
and for hte life of me i cant figure out, why is this not in Urdu? if this is for our kids it should have been in urdu
There is nothing wrong with burqa. We must ignore the westerners. they can never understand.
Anyway, the girl behind should atleast have had headscarf!
@ds:
Rape rates in countries, where Burkas are not worn, are considerably higher than where burkas are worn. This explains why Burkas are a protection for women. Case settled.
Dear ds,
Time to wake up and smell the coffee. To begin with just go through the following link.
http://dawn.com/news/1032079/the-father-of-taboos
Now, as you do that, you would come across 2 very interesting observations. I will quote both for your and others' benefit,
A. I ask the question: Have you been abused, at any age, in any way mentioned above? Women, without much fuss, write ‘yes’ in 95 per cent cases.
B. Men come in two distinct groups. There are a couple – more in Punjab and Pakhtoonkhwa – in every group who loudly protest at being asked a stupid question and then write the ‘no’ answer in full view of others. In my opinion, they are not merely abused, they are bruised and possibly still bleeding. Of the rest, around 80 per cent answer in ‘yes’.
And this comes from a serious professional psychiatrist working in Pakistan. Would you recommend the Burka for young boys too?
Moderator ET- The issue of rampant sexual abuse is too important to be brushed under the carpet. Since @ds has raised it, let it be aired.
If many educated suburban women wear burqa in Pakistan on their own free will and to cover themselves despite oppressive heat then why these women do not wear burqa in a free society like USA and Canada? In fact there are few women who use burqa even in the coldest months in north America. Those who wear it are mostly old women not young and educated. If it is their own free will then they should always use burqa when surrounded by so many non-Muslims. The fact is if a young lady wants to cover (not necessarily burqa) herself to feel secure in our male dominated society then it is fine. About 80% of Pakistani women live in villages and they do not use burqa. They simply cover themselves and cannot afford extra clothing like middle class suburban women using "flashy brand name" hijab and burqa.
I’m a feminist myself and I believe in giving all due rights to women. But I ask again, what has a burka got to do with freedom and how can this piece of attire restrict freedom?
But then why do we have the Mutaween in Saudi Arabia flogging women for not being in head to toe Burka? So much so that they would rather watch youd women burn to death, than see young women on the streets without a Burka. I guess they must be defending the ‘freedom and due rights of women’.
Perhaps the most serious and widely criticized incident attributed to them occurred on March 11, 2002, when they prevented schoolgirls from escaping a burning school in Mecca, because the girls were not wearing headscarves and abayas (black robes), and not accompanied by a male guardian. Fifteen girls died and 50 were injured as a result.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutaween
P.S.- May be in some future episode the Burka Woman will deal with the Mutaween too.
@jamila baig: i really dont want to discuss men or society here, i m just saying let a person do whatever she or he wants to do if there is no harm in it.
Fair enough. However, wearing a particular attire is directly related to the culture/society, does it not? Why do women in West and a lot of Asian countries do not wear a Burqa? . Also, I am sure that you know the reason why Burqa was made mandatory for Muslim women - something to do with their body being some kind of sin or something........ . Sincerely
@Chulbul Pandey i really dont want to discuss men or society here, i m just saying let a person do whatever she or he wants to do if there is no harm in it. and beside that we have so many other things to sort out , why are we so obsessed with normal burqa.. i mean its just a piece of clothing!
I know just one thing that if I have a beautiful valuable jewel, I would like to keep it with great care and would like to keep it in some protected place where nobody could see it .perhaps views is something like that for my beautiful daughters. I don't want anyone to harm them. Protecting oneself from some unwanted people is everybody'sright. Burqa is not a symbol of a muslim anymore. It is now worn even by Hindu women in Karachi and we do pay respect to them, because it was not their religion but they opted for it themselves and found comfortable in it.
@F Its not about yours and ours custom . its about personal freedom and personal choice. Its illogical for us to ask you to wear burka in our country - same applies the other way.
@ds:
Rape rates in countries, where Burkas are not worn, are considerably higher than where burkas are worn. This explains why Burkas are a protection for women. Case settled.
Rapists in other countries get convicted. But in Burka Land
A. The President declares the Rapist innocent -Sui Rape Case.
B. The President accuses women of getting raped for foreign Visas- Mukhtaran Mai.
C. The Ulama-e-Ikram hold scientific evidence (DNA) to be inadmissible- Pakistan again.
Case Settled- INDEED.
@ds: If that European tourist was raped in Pakistan, she would have to brought 4 men to prove her self a victim otherwise it would be her being sent to the Jail. In India at least rape cases are reported and highlighted so much in the news to put pressure on government to bring tough laws. In Pakistan on the other hand the rapes are not even reported. Which rape victim in her right mind would report it if she knows that it could in fact her to be persecuted if she can't produce the witnesses.Just remove that law and then you will see, not 100 but thousands would be reported in Pakistan every day and it won't be bomb blasts but the rape news across the news paper and your talk shows.
Rape is not reported most of the times in countries where the burka is worn because the very same countries have no legislation to protect female rape victims. Sadly, these are ALL Muslim countries, following the religion that claims it was the first one to give 'rights' to women. Rights such as preventing them being buried alive in the 7th century and considering rape justifiable if the woman isn't wearing a burka.
Using burka to feel protected is a ridiculous assumption. A piece of cloth cannot protect women against rape. If you feel like your wives are being stared at by other men, covering them up isn't the solution, addressing the societal frustrations in men is a more permanent solution. Burka in no way addresses the problem, it only ignores it and sweeps it under the rug, something that Pakistanis like to apply to most problems.
@Annie, 'I am a girl, and i feel so lucky and blessed to be a muslim female. I wear a burka, so does my sister, my mother had worn it, all my paternal aunts wear it, my grandmothers wore it'
This statement says it all doesn't it?
'It’s true, girls who wear a burqa are very different from the ones who choose not to; which can be the easiest option out there. Never once have I felt uncomfortable or in an awkward position among hoards of men, in reality i am free in this big world.'
You need to know that you are also free without it.
To girls with similar opinions, address your confidence issues and try to develop some courage. You will face men in many walks of life. Hiding behind a veil shouldn't be an imposed solution. Do it, sure, but it's also easy to come out of the submissive shell and not feel ashamed of being a female. Males and females are equal, so what is there to be scared of?
Wear your burqa in your country - your custom, your rules. Just don't in ours. Respect our rules and customs.
ds 3 hours ago Reply Rape rates in countries, where Burkas are not worn, are considerably higher than where burkas are worn. This explains why Burkas are a protection for women. Case settled. And Indians: your men are raping poor Europen tourists in India so go and control them first. Recommend647
3 Hours= 180 minutes. 647 Recommends- i.e 3.594 Recommends each minute.
It is raining Recommends in the Holy Month of Ramadan.
@Naveen That woman was NOT a rape victim, she went to her Sudani colleague's room by her own will after a night of drinking out. What was she expecting? By the way she also changed her statement twice with the police. Your argument is invalid, poor you.
India is a big country,With over 1.241 billion people. I ask Sara to roam in all major cities, ride the metros, buses and see what wonder does the burqa can do.Girls face all sorts of harassment to the extent of molestation. There is daily some such incidents, inside metro trains, buses, cinemas. But when you are in Burqa, then you are to a great extent safe. When I enter cinema halls with my wife in Burqa in Mumbai, usually I donot find any guy trying to be close to her which is so common if your are without Burqa. Same happens in Kolkata's Big Bazars and Delhi's Chandni Chowk.
@ds: Given how a Norwegian rape victim herself got convicted in Dubai, It comes as no surprise that Rape rates are (kept) low in Burka laden countries.
@Ali S: Off all stupid comments,you are the only sane one looking out for oppressed man like me.You telling me how sticky and hot it gets down there.? Very few know half of it?Of all the pleasure and comfort I found in USa,24 hours hot and cold water is the best reward for living in USA and escaping unbearable sticky hot India.I normally only read Tribune never reply to any one,but your common sense,rejoinder compels me to say'' Small Mercy and understanding from some one sane.''Feel really sorry for Muslim female.What is worse some female like it,like me ,saying 'loving a hole in the head'.Now I go back to silence until some one like you,compels me,to say something..You take care,I'm still alive and kicking.h.Mani
@Ahmed: Sir, i do not know what Islam says but what its many followers are saying is visible and they are not using their brain to its best . Had it been so, there would have been a different scenario in Pakistan. No offence please
Paaji, let the women decide what they want to wear. It is their right, I detest anyone imposing anything which a culture or faith dictates. It is a mean to remain free, though I might disagree, but the authoress is entitled to her opinions. I wear a turban too myself, the only advise I can give them is no burkhas in passports and government identifications. Live and let live. Jai hind , rab rakha
Rape rates in countries, where Burkas are not worn, are considerably higher than where burkas are worn. This explains why Burkas are a protection for women. Case settled.
And Indians: your men are raping poor Europen tourists in India so go and control them first.
BruteForce
"Indian genes, Indian music, Indian movies, but Culture and Religion of Arabia. Nice!"
Please learn about Islam. There is no racism in it. And Islam is the religion of the universe. Don't confuse it for a religion of Arabia.
i wear a burka and i'm proud of it :) to all those who think who think that by bashing a burka you can automatically be considered 'liberal', let me tell you something, your brand of 'liberal' only exists in Pakistan!!! All around the world, liberal values preach tolerance and freedom of choice, NOT your narrow minded views about freedom :P Infact in the west you guys would be considered conservative because you support the restriction of personal freedom. Good luck with being 'liberal'; hope you hit it with flying colors ;)
@Sarah: agree
@ADEEL: It's not about a woman's choice to wear a burqa. It's when other people expect you to wear one and judge you when you don't.
freedom has nothing to do with dress.. it is an attribute of mind.
howeber west equates semi clad women with freedom. even though this semi clad women could be working on the streets of europe as forced prostitute but for westerners it is freedom- she has to pay this price for freedom.
@Sarah:
Well then pants are a symbol of male oppression. You know how sticky and sweaty it gets down there?
Burqa is not prescribed anywhere is Islam. It is only an Arabic dress which has been worn by Arabic women. No dress has ever been prescribed by any religion. Personally I do not trust anyone who wears a burqa.
As long as there is no obligation and as long as the person concerned is not averse to the idea of showing his/her face when asked to do so by those with whom he/she intends to do business/consultation/work with; I see no problem with Burka. But given the fact that those who vouch for greater choice & freedom in Islamic Republic of Pakistan are usually tagged as 'liberal fascists' (never mind the fact that Liberalism itself is nothing but anti-thesis of all things fascist), I am pretty sure that down the line, shows like Burka Avenger will be remembered as softer initiatives that took Pakistan on path of next door Afghanistan (where sale of women's cosmetics is attracting greater umbrage than sale of life threatening drugs) rather than that of Bangladesh (which of lately has emerged as a shining example of improving the quality of life of its poor through women empowerment).
I suppose democracy allows the opinions of conservative as well as liberals. But this is going too far. Burka is a prison where women are in and men are free. I cannot say ban it because in a country where millions of women are not even allowed to step out of their homes, banning burqa will be like imprisoning them inside 4 walls of their homes all their lives. This obsession with 'protecting' women's honor has spread to Jews as well. Some years ago, a group of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish women in Israel began donning the Burqa as a symbol of piety. Following its adoption by Bruria Keren, an estimated 600 Jewish women have taken to wearing the veil.[12] Keren claims to “follow these rules of modesty to save men from themselves. A man who sees a woman's body parts is sexually aroused, and this might cause him to commit sin. Even if he doesn't actually sin physically, his impure thoughts are sin in themselves.”[13] However, apparently at the insistence of some of their husbands, a rabbinical authority quoted as saying “There is a real danger that by exaggerating, you are doing the opposite of what is intended [resulting in] severe transgressions in sexual matters,” issued an edict declaring burka-wearing a sexual fetish, that is as promiscuous as wearing too little.[14] According to The Jerusalem Post, a Member of the Knesset is intending to put forward a bill to "prohibit the wearing of a full-body and face covering for women. The bill would not differentiate between Muslims and Jews. Sometimes I wonder if we need stone age mentality in 21st century.Women are hiuman beings. They should not be treated like cattle.
Just call her a ninja. End of story.
This superhero is inventing a new type of martial arts.
Really?
Forget about the 'Martial Arts',Try even walking fast in a Burka.
After all how many 'Martial Arts' champions have come out of the Burka Compulsory states of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan under Taliban?
@whitesky
Ermm..Islam says that those who don't THINK are the worst of animals. Not the worst of human beings but the worst of ANIMALS!!!!!Please do your study and then talk!
Well first of all people speaking Islamically its not optional but OBLIGATORY for a woman to cover herself. Burqa is just one form of covering oneself. There are many other ways aswelll.
Secondly, logically a girl whose body is visible or even the shape of her body is known is not MODESTY. I'm not talking about a bikini but anything that might have one of the above.
Thirdly, free women who do not believe in liberties are those who know that they(liberties) are what destroy the moral base of a society.
Finally, if this article had been about anything else than a burqa , anything remotely related to Islam there would've been criticism . We'll make fun WHILE YOU CAN.
What’s so wrong with a burka anyway?
AND,
A. What is wrong with allowing non-Muslims in Mecca anyway?
B. What is wrong with Ahmadis calling themselves Muslims anyway?
C. What is wrong with allowing Bikinis on the beaches of Pakistan anyway?
D What is wrong with having a Hindu/ Ahmadi/ Christian for President/PM anyway?
Let us have freedom of choice for a change.
One word - ugly looking and not suitable for hot and humid geographical area like Pakistan.
"My mom wears a burka occasionally; no one forces her to. " - The author have closed her eyes on the fact that the girl from the childhood receives sermon from her parents , relatives, teachers and society that as per true Islamic teachings Burqa is a must while going in public.and it is visible and practiced in the society. the mind accepts it normal one and she follows suit saying that Burqa she wears by her choice and she firmly believes in it. But is it really by choice?Society imposed it on the name of religion.. Another example how come that we see so many suicide bombers who are willing to die ( because of some belief which is pushed in their mind in a specific environment needed for it must be that every one there believes in it i.e. to die for a cause because he / she truly believes in it. should we call it by choice? same is the case with extremists who truly believe in killing all who do not subscribe to their belief / version of ideology. To them they have become what they are by choice. But is it really so? this is a situation where oppressed starts sympathizing( believing ) with the oppressor. he / she does not think him / her as oppressed . Every Religion be it Islam, Christianity , Hinduism or any other religion demands submission teaching you to believe and don't ask a question , don't doubt what is being said. . There is a need to ponder but don't' believe without using your brain..I am a girl, and i feel so lucky and blessed to be a muslim female. I wear a burka, so does my sister, my mother had worn it, all my paternal aunts wear it, my grandmothers wore it; and it nothing what the writer or a few ''urban liberalists'' make it out to be. It is perhaps the only and the best form for the personal freedom and expression for the women. And when Allah ordained all muslim women to cover themselves and not be the eye candies to unrelated men in the muslim vicinities, it is by right and less by choice for us to follow more. It's true, girls who wear a burqa are very different from the ones who choose not to; which can be the easiest option out there. Never once have I felt uncomfortable or in an awkward position among hoards of men, in reality i am free in this big world, and in the next . You need to don one to really experience the pleasures and blessings of women who follow what Islam commands men and women to do. I always have this feeling of Allah protecting and looking out for me in every way possible. It's just inexplicable to put my thoughts and feelings in words.
I am a girl, and i feel so lucky and blessed to be a muslim female. I wear a burka, so does my sister, my mother had worn it, all my paternal aunts wear it, my grandmothers wore it; and it nothing what the writer or a few ''urban liberalists'' make it out to be. It is perhaps the only and the best form for the personal freedom and expression for the women. And when Allah ordained all muslim women to cover themselves and not be the eye candies to unrelated men in the muslim vicinities, it is by right and less by choice for us to follow more. It's true, girls who wear a burqa are very different from the ones who choose not to; which can be the easiest option out there. Never once have I felt uncomfortable or in an awkward position among hoards of men, in reality i am free in this big world, and in the next . You need to don one to really experience the pleasures and blessings of women who follow what Islam commands men and women to do. I always have this feeling of Allah protecting and looking out for me in every way possible. It's just inexplicable to put my thoughts and feelings in words.
Who is going to be our next superhero? A green turbaned maulvi who saves us from the evils of secularism with some good Kung fu? Let us be careful about the role models we choose. Do we really want our young girls to be looking up to a burka?
@Author
I’m a feminist myself and I believe in giving all due rights to women. But I ask again, what has a burka got to do with freedom and how can this piece of attire restrict freedom?
I stopped reading after this. Are you serious?
Nathan
@jamila baig: i mean i also wear burqa and i am quiet comfortable in that, in fact people give you respect and even apart from that if a woman wants to wear provocative dresses no body have problem with that, thn why there is always issue with woman who is wearing burqa.. . Jamila ji, with due respect, I fail to see why a woman's respect is contingent upon her wearing a burqa. It is all about control. Men have devised many ways in different societies and cultures to keep women under their control, on one pretext or other. . It is an obvious observation that a woman, wearing a burqa or provocative clothes, usually does not impose herself onto others. Miscreant men, on the other hand, don't really care what their target of ire/eve tease is wearing. I say, make all these "luchhe badmaash" type men wear burqa :D After all, when a thief is caught, he is the one put behind the bars not the home owner. . On a lighter note, one of my Muslim friends back home in New Delhi told me a hilarious story about his class mate eve teasing a burqa clad woman who turned out to be his own sister :D
@ADEEL: There is nothing wrong with a woman wearing a burqa of her free will. I object when those women who choose not to wear get acids thrown on them. Furthermore the Koran asks men and women to dress modestly and does not tell women to wear a burqa. This waht is wrong with it.
Good news, something to watch out for. Burka reigns Supreme.
Those defending burka on the basis of "freedom of choice" would potentially be the same people who very easily deny freedom to others in other matters. Look at this logic:
No free woman wears burka until she is religiously motivated. No? Majority (not all) of religiously motivated women do not believe in liberties. It is not "freedom of choice" they are defending. It is rather convenient "choice of certain freedoms" they are using as hogwash.Besides, the opening sentence of this oped is objectionable. It suggests, only alternative to burka may be bilini. This is just not the case. Vast majority of urban pakistani women do not generally wear burka. They are not generally seen in bikini either.
What's so wrong with burka? As long as it is optional, it is okay, though I personally think it is the worst piece of dress a person of fairer sex can possibly wear.
However, unfortunately the reality is that in most cases it isn't optional. Most wear it because it is necessary to preserve modesty, according to the faith. That is the problem. Burka is inherently discriminatory and oppressive in nature. If people can't see it and acknowledge it, ...!
So Burka is freedom ? Then taliban must be very free.
The author and the Taliban are finally in agreement !
I say Burka for everyone ! All the time !
@Sarah: You surely have read very less about Islam and its teachings. Its not about oppression or anything. Being Muslims, we don't have any option but to follow commands of Allah or do you have problem with that also?
This is also extremism, remember!
u r quiet right..whats wrong in wearing a burqa??i mean i also wear burqa and i am quiet comfortable in that, in fact people give you respect and even apart from that if a woman wants to wear provocative dresses no body have problem with that, thn why there is always issue with woman who is wearing burqa.. i thnk its high time for us to improve our selves thn pointing out others. and its just a normal animation , if superman or batman can fly in underwear thn why there is problem in wearing a burqa? come on people!! why dont we rise our voices for all the distruction happening in our country ?? people of country are so farig that they are disscussing small kiddos cartoon..GOd help Us!!
If Burqa is so good, why don't Muslim men wear it? Why only women? Why women have to wear burqa to feel safe? Says a lot about men, doesn't it :) A burqa is a prison of mind.
Often male chauvinists want to see a woman clad in see through attire, so Burqa hurts their eyes. .
I wear burka myself. I appreciate this character..
Miss Sara wud appreciate that an increasing number of educated women in cities do not consider it symbol of opression but are using out of their own choice
Sarah, very disappointing to see you have swallowed such anti-Islam propaganda. Burqa is the symbol of a Muslim woman's liberation. In it she finds respect. She can go anywhere she likes with appropriate companions. She is not selling her body for a few coins.
it is startling to find article in respected newspaper supporting freedom of choice for burqa women. if we compare 60s and 70s period with present one, we can see more and and more educated women are opting for burqa or full covering out of their own choice. i suggest the dinishing class should accept change.
I have read ur artical,though it is written in good spirit but i would like to comment on ur repeated reference to burka as a means of hiding oneself when one is not properly dressed n one is feeling lazy.y cant we accept burka in its true spirit which is ofcourse religious.i wear burka because of my own choice thinking that it is commanded by my Lord n i take it as a means of liberation of women not subjugation.it raises us to the level of intelligent individuals instead of being placed on the shelves of male amusement as sex objects valued for the display of their body parts.islam gives us dignity n respect n diamonds r kept safe not left on streets for all to use n abuse.we should try to understand the wisdom of hijab instead of covering it up with embaraced explanations.
@Sarah: WOW, if a women wants to cover herself more, its her discretion, and how on earth it can possibly be symbol of female oppression.
I found the trailer to be incredible, would definitely let my child watch the show. A burkha ninja seems like an excellent concept!
the burqa is a symbol of female oppression. that's what's wrong with it