The Way I See It
Burqa woman: A 'make-believe' refugee

Burqa woman: A 'make-believe' refugee

The one outrageously true aspect about this outfit is that the friends you make in it are your true companions.

Yusra Mujib September 20, 2011

"Excuse me ... I'm almost afraid to ask this, but I have never seen anyone like you before. May I please take a picture?"

Summer hat, sea blue shirt with khaki shorts revealing legs tanned, the right shade of cocoa-brown - how could I say no to this guy? So I pose next to a palm tree and say:

“I have my best smile on but I bet your photography can’t do any justice to it.”

As he manages a nervous giggle, I can almost hear his thoughts:

"Crazy woman with a strange sense of humour."

That was justified, of course, considering the fact that he couldn’t see my glowing expression. With a jet black veil covering my face and the rest of my body, I appear little more than a silhouette to most. A single window for the eyes and an accompanying voice, are added features. Now that’s worth a picture, isn’t it?

Approaching a cross-roads, this article can go in two different directions from this point; I could begin explaining my choice to wear the face-veil due to the Islamic beliefs that come with the package, or I could share contemporary experiences that come with the package, only in the 21st century. I choose to do the latter as you can find much better authorities on the former from within Muslim society.

Thanks to the millions of images emerging from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, there are only two nations people associate me with – Afghanis or Arabs. Living in Dubai more specifically, I appear to be a UAE national to many.

Now the UAE is a country where nationals have the greatest privileges in lifestyle and authority. Rightfully so, it is their country after all. Although the association inspires utmost respect and overwhelming politeness in many people, they also assume I know no other language apart from Arabic. You can expect that from any UAE-national but not from me – a Pakistani. That’s where the struggle begins. Speaking fluent and articulate English doesn’t help. One may damage her diaphragm enunciating, however, these fellows will refuse to understand a single word. They will insist you comprehend the four words of Arabic they know and respond solely in that language. Talk about globalization!

Also, talk about global aphasia – the loss of the ability to communicate. The other half of the people, mostly fresh arrivals from the West, assume I am from Afghanistan and appear to be suffering from global aphasia. With that thought in mind, a man walks up to me and without uttering any sound, starts making the most perplexing gestures. I try to make sense of the flailing hands and jerks, sometimes even a chicken impression if they are looking for KFC. I brace myself as I attempt to respond with similarly exaggerated gestures, because a reply consisting of intelligible words and ideas is extremely shocking to many. I rarely make use of them.

That’s not my only reason though. Turns out, an Afghani woman who does know English is a sign of pitiful oppression and must be sympathized with. I’ve overheard people say that my situation involves a talented mind imprisoned by conservative tribal bounds. For fear of innumerable cardiac arrests, I never mention I’m actually not from Afghanistan. I do understand how oddly contradicting that would seem. People would see me in the same light as George Bush – waging wars to make peace prevail.

Nevertheless, ever heard of the old lady who didn’t want to cross the street?

With the Afghani assumptions follow the pat on the shoulders, the motivating words, the visits from understanding colleagues, the taboo subject of my family, and the friendly discussions about the overriding power of government officials. Someone needs to ship these folks to Afghanistan. They will do well helping others; I speak with the authority of a 'make-believe' refugee.

Truth be told, these are just the occasional light-hearted moments I share with strangers mostly. Friends are the highlight of my experience. You see, the one, overriding, outrageously true aspect about this outfit is that the friends you make in it, are your true companions. Their judgment lies solely on your personality and has nothing to do with your nail colour or its brand. That doesn’t stop them from suggesting Batman and Darth Vader for my Halloween costumes, though.

Agreeably, the view from my window to the world is no different from my peers. The tools to operate aren’t any different either. Occasionally though, one may deny her own identity to avoid unwanted company. For instance, when approached by a clingy fellow, one may reply in unrecognizable Taliban-language to make the individual run for cover. But then again, being comfortable in our skin is what’s it’s all about. Fortunately for me, the veil has become a second skin.

WRITTEN BY:
Yusra Mujib An aspiring journalist cum graphic designer, with a part-time ninja duty.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (50)

Aysha | 13 years ago | Reply Wow, all these people with Muslim sounding names, yet with very unIslaamic comments. What is your problem? You do know that mocking Allah or our religion puts you out of the pale of Islaam, right? I like doing this occasionally (responding to comments on various websites), though it does drive me insane sometimes. Here goes: MJ: You said, "Please do not take this personally but I find niqab, not scarf or burqa mind you, to be quite insulting and I feel as if it is an involuntary judgement of my character." First of all, the burqa refers to the type of covering Afghan women wear (the commonly blue or yellow coverings). Secondly, how can you find the niqab insulting when ALL of the credible scholars (I say credible because, these days, we've got a bunch of "scholars" who don't deserve being called such) have said that it is something that it is at least mustahab - encouraged - if not obligatory? Omq: I don't understand what you're trying to say. It's an all or nothing type of thing for you? She shouldn't wear niqab, even though it liberates her, because there are other issues around? S: Actually, I think it just might be the opposite. I also wear niqab, though not in the UAE but in America. I try to make it a point to say salaam to all of the Muslims that I see and to be friendly and maybe even become friends with them (with the sisters). However, a lot of times, people are not comfortable with me and I'm not the type to push myself on others, so I leave them alone after they make it clear through body language or their manner of speaking to me that they don't want to associate with me. I have my dignity too. However, I guess what you say is also true in a sense. I try to only become good friends with people who I know will better me in how I practice my deen. But that's because the Prophet sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam said that a person will follow the religion of his friends. Shumaila: "Nonetheless I consider the burqa with it’s restrictions to be donned at all times and inability to be abandoned without guilt a restrictive form of wear." Donned at all times? I don't know who you hang out with, but I, and all of my friends who wear the niqab, take our niqab, khimar, and abaya off when we get home or are at all girl parties. Secondly, people SHOULD be guilty when they commit a sin, because when one stops feeling guilty, then that is a sign that their heart has hardened. The scholarly opinion that I follow is that niqab is necessary, but even if I didn't, I love niqab too much to ever abandon it. Also, I guess you should say the same thing about regular clothes, eh? Why should women have to wear clothes at all anywhere, anytime (according to your logic)? You also said, "Also know that you are a confident, well adjusted woman (as appears from your article) despite the burqa and it’s restriveness, and not because of it." I became much more confident when I put my niqab on. I'm also much stronger. I live in the U.S. and I started wearing niqab when I was barely 18 and starting university. If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't be able to handle people staring at me wherever I go because I have decided to wear niqab. I wouldn't be able to handle some of the comments (perverted or prejudiced or otherwise) You also said, "What if your wife feels the same way about you wearing a burqa?" Well, that's ridiculous, because the hijab for men is different than it is for women. Men need to cover their bodies from their navel to their knees, grow beards, trim their mustaches, and lower their gaze. We have to cover our bodies (and faces and hands, according to the opinion that I follow) and lower our gazes. Would you have a problem if a man wanted his wife to cover her chest? Would you tell that man, "Well, you should cover your chest too, if you want her chest to be covered?" Again, there are differences between men and women. Our Creator knows best and I choose His Word over yours. MF Hussain: Why give advice in such a condescending way? You do know that many of us have windows and backyards where we can sit where no one can see us? I, personally, get my vitamin D from the sun that way (and some from food, but nothing compares to the sun). And, as you must know, sitting in the sun for just a few minutes a day (up to 20-30 for browned skinned folks) is more than enough sunshine. Parvez: Maybe you should try reading up on the Islamic evidences before you go around talking so confidently as if no such evidence exists for niqab. Balma: "Desi Muslims of Pakistan and India have a terrible identity crises." What in the world? Trying to practice Islaam as the Prophet Muhammad, the best of mankind, sal Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, practiced it, is having an identity crisis? Islam transcends borders. We are Muslims first and whatever ethnicity we are second. In fact, the ethnicity part isn't even important in terms of our actions. It's our religion that is. Jahaan Ara: Actually, that is incorrect. ALL of the (credible) scholars, past and present, say that the niqab is encouraged. And MOST of them say that it is obligatory. All four of the madhaahib say it is fardh. Some people have placed the condition in the Hanafi madhhab that it is only fardh when there is fitnah. But when is there not fitnah? Check the website www.islam-qa.com and look at their evidences for the face veil. Salma: "I wonder how you would feel if the veil was on the other face and your face uncovered." I have been in that position before I started niqab. I was always mesmerized by the niqabis and loved them for the sake of Allah. I didn't have a single bad thought, I just knew that I loved that they wore niqab, though I never said that to their faces. S: "Why is it the right thing (meaning not wearing a scarf is, by definition, the wrong thing)? How many old people are you helping across the street by donning a scarf? " 1.) It's the right thing to do because Allah and His Messenger commanded it. It is sinful to disobey them, so yes, it's the wrong thing. 2) Why is it an all-or-nothing deal for you? Helping the old, giving charity, doing Hajj, praying, lowering one's gaze, covering the way Allah wanted us to, etc are all things commanded by Allah. They are different deeds. Not connected to one another. If one drinks alcohols, they can also do many other good deeds (and still be sinful about the alcohol, but rewarded about the other things). If one wears hijab, one can do many other good deeds as well as commit sins (and be rewarded for the hijab, and sinned for other things). Your argument doesn't really make much sense unless the person in question is not a Muslim at all and just wears hijab, in which case, the hijab is worthless since the condition to good deeds being accepted is for one to be a Muslim Malik: I don't wear niqab because of any men. I wear it because of Allah. Simple as that. I don't care that you are offended that I decide to cover my beauty (or lack of beauty, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder). I wear it because I love to worship Allah and obeying Him in this command is one way through which I can worship Him. Anyways, we all make mistakes and I am a very sinful person. But at least I would never discourage someone from doing something Islaamic which is what many of you seem to be doing.

Honestly | 13 years ago | Reply @Braveheart um, last time I checked men in islam CAN show their upper bodies, as well as their legs.. for them the 'area to be purdafied' only lies between the navel and knees.. I do hope that you know what six pack abs are...? :S How can you refute Malik's comment?? He is right!

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

vickram | 13 years ago | Reply Two views have been expressed here; 1.) “It is when the captives begin to praise the jail that encloses them that it is time to worry.” 2.) “When the prisoner notices that the Warden has stopped beating him regularly, he starts doing things to please the Warden out of sheer gratitude. “ Will the author of this blog respond to these please ?

Braveheart | 13 years ago | Reply @ Malik if u follow islam and know what are the limitations of clothing for men then u shudnt b talking like a toddler go get some info before giving ur kind opinions

malik | 13 years ago | Reply @BraveHeart: A handsome guy too is likely to arouse impure feelings in a woman. So, in your opinion, a guy - if he is smart with six pack abs - should also cover himself from head to toe? Don't you think your arguments sound ridiculous however divinely sanctioned it might be?

BraveHeart | 13 years ago | Reply @Malik A simple question when a beautiful women (lets add some perfume to the scenario )walks down the street she wil attract attention I wonder why a girl sitting in the underground in London was covered from head to toe and was even wearing gloves to hide her hands in a women dominated society where even the law bends towards women? when a diamond is sitting in the street everyone would be tempted to touch it or even take it A muslim women is just like the diamond one more thing have u seen when a lollipop is left open gets covered with bugs and flies? on the other hand the covered lollipop doeznt have any such insects think about it

malik | 13 years ago | Reply @Braveheart: Mr Braveheart...when you come to my house, i ask my sister to go and hide herself somewhere and not to come anywhere within the sight of Braveheart....how would you feel about it? When you come to my house, I immediately cover my silvers with a cloth, so that you should get tempted into stealing it. How would you feel when you come to know of my act of covering my valuables in your presence? Wearing a burqa is similar to that. It presupposes that every woman is a walking temptress and every man is a potential molester. Women wear burqa, because, people like you in male dominated society have conditioned women into believing that if they are virtuous and pure they will wear burqa. And they have submitted into this coercive behavior feeling that they are good women so they cover themselves in veils as it is the right thing to do. When educated, well travelled persons (like the author of this blog) wear an instrument of female oppression and wear it proudly occupying a higher moral highground, it only shows to the success of brainwashing and indoctrination that has gone in the islamic societies to reinforce the idea that women are sex objects and they need to be protected at all costs. The author has willingly accepted the view that she is a sex object worthy of being coveted and the only way she can feel safe from evil male gaze is to surround herself in a black tent. To defend burqa saying that it is a religious symbol and it is a badge of pious religiosity is just pulling wool over the eyes of unsuspecting people. "When the prisoner notices that the Warden has stopped beating him regularly, he starts doing things to please the Warden out of sheer gratitude. "

uzma | 13 years ago | Reply @Shumaila: haha niiiice :D HASSAN JAWAB DO NAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Braveheart | 13 years ago | Reply @S if the sister is doing hijab/Nikab then she is thinking it as a right thing for her to do this is what you fail to understand why dont you understand the fact that if a girl covers herself she is in a fact protecting herself from the people walking on the streets , the boys standing at the end of streets , the people on the bus stops etc i have seen it with my own eyes that even in England girls chose to do hijab and people respect that let them do whatever they want and b supportive to yours sisters and if they chose to do all the things you mentioned then thats their choice and not to forget why are u seperating them out as one see thats the problem we associate and judge all by looking at some of the member of that community or religion all beared muslims are termed as extremists Why?

S | 13 years ago | Reply @ Braveheart: See, it's this very complacent, righteous attitude that "its the right thing" which nauseates people like me to rant on blogs like these. Why is it the right thing (meaning not wearing a scarf is, by definition, the wrong thing)? How many old people are you helping across the street by donning a scarf? How many children are you educating? How many sick people are you treating? How many light bulbs are you switching off to conserve energy, and save the earth? Not that me, or any other non-hijabis do these things all the time either, but at least we don't live in our own little bubble where we look down on other people condescendingly, feeling assured ourselves that "we're right, they're wrong!!!"

BraveHeart | 13 years ago | Reply @ all those women who do not want to wear hijab or burka Sisters it is your choice and opinion that you dont wanna wear a burka but when some one does want to cover herself from the eyes of the evil you should encourage them for having the courage to do the right thing and not to oppose them Instead of giving them your support you are making them feel inferior , oppressed , and forced and may be they do it with their own free will think about it

Salma | 13 years ago | Reply I respect your choice of apparel and the freedom that goes with it. I always think there is a certain kind of voyeurism behind the veil. I wonder how you would feel if the veil was on the other face and your face uncovered. Would that change your perspective at all? I always associate the veiled/unveiled face to radio/television broadcasts. I like listening to the radio but definitely enjoy television more!

hassan | 13 years ago | Reply @Shumaila: Instead of you, it would have been better if the author Ms. Yusra Mujib had given her views to my post !

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @Expat: "Agreeably, the view from my window to the world is no different from my peers." Self-admittance!

Shumaila | 13 years ago | Reply @ hassan What if your wife feels the same way about you wearing a burqa? She might want you to be handsome, but at the same time, not want you to be seen by others. Because, if they see you without hijab, they will start coveting you. She will feel glad if you understand this on your own without her having to tell you about this openly. She might be so happy when you wear a burqa on your own. When you do that, it will give her a hint that you want to please her, and you want to be a virtuous man. She might feel doubly happy when you refuse to talk to all women, even with burqa. Because, you have a lovely voice and that might make the strangers to lust for you. So, when you keep quiet on your own choice, she might feel lucky that she got such a pure husband. She might give you all the freedom to wear any clothes of your choice. But, if you prefer to wear a burqa with a gauze over your eyes, that might make her so happy, because that would indicate to her that you want to be virtuous and you want to be hers and hers alone. When you wear a burqa on her own, you will feel so safe and liberated. And you will feel very glad knowing that you are pleasing your wife !! ===== So hassan. When are you starting? Think about it?

hassan | 13 years ago | Reply @abdullah: I too have the same feelings, friend. I want my wife to be beautiful, but at the same time, I don't want her to be seen by others. Because, if they see her without hijab, they will start coveting her. I will feel glad if my wife understands this on her own without me having to tell her about this openly. I will be so happy when my wife wears a burqa on her own. When she does that, it gives me a hint that she wants to please me, and she wants to be a virtuous woman. I will feel doubly happy when she refuses to talk to all men, even with burqa. Because, she has a sweet voice and that might make the strangers to lust for her. So, when she keeps quiet on her own choice, I feel lucky that I got such a pure wife. I will give my wife all the freedom to wear any dress of her choice. But, if she prefers to wear a burqa with a gauze over her eyes, that will make me so happy, because that would indicate to me that she wants to be virtuous and she wants to be mine and mine alone. When she wears a burqa on her own, she will feel so safe and liberated. And she will feel very glad knowing that she is pleasing her husband !!

BraveHeart | 13 years ago | Reply much appreciated the need for people to understand and think beyond their minds

KolachiMom | 13 years ago | Reply @Usama Zafar: a lot depends on where the university is located. I work in Abu Dhabi & interact with both abaya & scantily-clad women on a daily basis. Strive for balance, dear. The world is not black and white.

Expat | 13 years ago | Reply "Summer hat, sea blue shirt with khaki shorts revealing legs tanned, the right shade of cocoa-brown – how could I say no to this guy?" It seems, hiding behind the screen, you do not let anybody 'see' you. But from behind in there, you are free to stare at them.

Cynical | 13 years ago | Reply Is it really an important issue? Personally speaking I don't like this 'burqa' thing, but wouldn't preach against it. It's far better to ignore it.

Salman Arshad | 13 years ago | Reply So, because of your burqa, you are enjoying the importance given to you because you are mistaken for an Emarati instead of a Pakistani. That is amusing. And has a lot to do with the kind of Islam that you adhere to. Its pretty normal here in Pakistan as well. Women wearing the burqa by choice have an undue sense of grandeur.

Jahaan Ara | 13 years ago | Reply Full face is not mandatory. Muslim scholars, at least majority of them, have always maintained that face and lower parts of hands are exempted from covering. The same is view of the famous "Questions and Answers" published in "The Arab News" by Saoodi scholars. This can be seen at http://www.islamicity.com/qa/action.lasso.asp?-db=services&-lay=Ask&-op=eq&number=4941&-format=detailpop.shtml&-find

Misbah | 13 years ago | Reply "Summer hat, sea blue shirt with khaki shorts revealing legs tanned, the right shade of cocoa-brown – how could I say no to this guy?" Window for the eyes, great job!

Arsalan khan | 13 years ago | Reply I recently came across an interesting article on this subject. I feel like sharing with others http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=26513

Sarah | 13 years ago | Reply @MD: Quoting what someone said = misplaced sense of self importance. That makes sense -_-

ayman | 13 years ago | Reply asaalam-o-alikum well done thats the spirit.this is what what islam need and is the need of time ;the liberation of thoughts and enlightenment.

Balma | 13 years ago | Reply The story of desi Muslim women: one step forward, two steps backward. Jobs in Middle East provided money to our people but pushed them backwards by two hundred years. Hijab was a verb in our language (Urdu, not Arabic) but now it refers to an object. Hijab was a romantic word which loosely meant sharam in Urdu, now refers to something ugly and terrible. The word niqab was used in ghazals, now aunties 80 years old and girls even 12 years old actually use it on their faces. The whole nation has become Allah-hafiz type. Desi Muslims of Pakistan and India have a terrible identity crises.

faraz | 13 years ago | Reply What amazes me is the time people spend on petty issues like clothes worn by other people. Burqa, abaya, dopatta or no burqa, no abaya, no dopatta; what do I have to do with it. Live and let live. Do whatever you want; that’s what’s important.

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @S: a lot depends on where the university is located. I work in Abu Dhabi & interact with both abaya & scantily-clad women on a daily basis.

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @MD: Your quasi-intellectual diagnosis of the writer reeks of an attempt to get a response back. Assassinate the character if you cant debate on the issue - nice strategy!

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @Omq: Dont really get the connection between burqa and child camel jockeys / maid abuse / bonded laborers - Looks like you were just going for anything you could find to vent your burqa-hate. You need to stop confusing UAE & Saudi Arabia my friend - child camel jockey's problem was resolved six years ago by the Government (the root of the problem lied in Pakistan btw, if you followed the case). Maid abuse is pre-dominantly an issue in KSA. The problem of unpaid laborer wages is also resolved with the Wages Protection System launched by the government of the UAE. Again, problem of agents in the subcontinent milking money from laborers remains. Again, really dont get the burqa connection

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @Parvez: While I can launch my own rambling about MD & OMQ's perception & meaning of the word 'tolerance', I will just repeat the words of a colleague of mine: "Be Liberal-minded, not OPPOSITE minded'.

abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply i am looking for a wife like you!

Parvez | 13 years ago | Reply Entertaining stuff as you have rightly not gone into the religious debate on this. I think both @OMQ and @MD have summed up pretty well. Its beyond me as to why the requirement of a modest dress has to be turned into a statement by the wearer and then build arguments to defend their state of denial.

Sara A.K | 13 years ago | Reply love your sense of humor! nice article

Bushra faiz | 13 years ago | Reply So good ! I hope somebody learns tolerance ,wearing a veil or not is my personal choice so whoever has a problem can buzz off! I respect you!

MF Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply better get some sun, it produces vitamin D and helps neuronal development. Think you might be lacking in the latter. Plus I hear osteoperosis is not very pleasant.

KolachiMom | 13 years ago | Reply @OMQ - @MD Double thumbs up!! Bravo!!

Shumaila | 13 years ago | Reply "It is when the captives begin to praise the jail that encloses them that it is time to worry." I am all for wearing what you want. I am a feminist, and I consider that liberation lies not in the miniskirt or the burqa - it lies not in what you wear but what mindset you have when you wear it. Nonetheless I consider the burqa with it's restrictions to be donned at all times and inability to be abandoned without guilt a restrictive form of wear. Also know that you are a confident, well adjusted woman (as appears from your article) despite the burqa and it's restriveness, and not because of it. That is all.

Waqar Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply More women like you need to speak out

S | 13 years ago | Reply As an aside: Someone from Afghanistan is called an "Afghan". the Afghan currency is the Afghani. Also, the assertion that "Their judgment lies solely on your personality and has nothing to do with your nail colour or its brand" is not entirely true. Most of the niqaabis at my university used to hang out together not because they were BFFs to begin with, but only after they started wearing the niqaab, and realised that they weren't comfortable associating with the rest of us. In a sense, their judgement lied very much in the appearance, meaning I was no longer fit to be a friend just because I "looked" like the non-religious sort? No offence...

Shahrukh kazmi | 13 years ago | Reply Now thats an amazing Illustration right there on the top.

MD | 13 years ago | Reply

“Excuse me … I’m almost afraid to ask this, but I have never seen anyone like you before. May I please take a picture?”

You may speak good English and you could be an Einstein, but, for me, an ordinary mortal, a woman with simple dress, without prejudices and misplaced sense of superiority, even if she happens to be a laborer/farmer is far more respectable than the ones who have some misplaced ideas about their self-importance.

Omq | 13 years ago | Reply There are none so hopelessly imprisoned than those who falsely think that they are free. maid sexual abuses ? child camel jockeys ?, bonded laborers with passports confiscated ?, Hell no, Our lady is bloated over being considered Emirati under that tent!. Come over that vanity please and look at the real issues around.

Mj | 13 years ago | Reply As you seem to be wearing out of your own free will, more power to you. Please do not take this personally but I find niqab, not scarf or burqa mind you, to be quite insulting and I feel as if it is an involuntary judgement of my character. Why burden yourself with something which more than what is proscribed in the religion by an already strict dress-code? If the goal of a woman is to appear modest, then such a goal is not possible to attain even in a niqab as I have so often observed in Arab countries. If the aim is modesty then a woman wearing a sun dress, regular shalwar kameez, or abaya can all equally attain that goal, depending on whether the moral code is superficial or from deep within.

Clouded | 13 years ago | Reply A very light hearted take on an otherwise serious issue. Truly inspirational for all those trying to blend into their surroundings due to respective personal beliefs, knowing that they will always been seen as 'different' and 'weird'.

Fahad Raza | 13 years ago | Reply Why is it a question when a female tries to cover herself.??.. whats the big deal??? Then a proxy server on he left retort.. OPPRESSION...SEXISM..DISCRIMINATION....

Sundas | 13 years ago | Reply Wonderful piece of work. A must read for all those who consider veiled women something either to be despised, or to be pitied. Let them breathe please, let them be what they choose. What is the problem here in understanding this simple notion??

Meharr | 13 years ago | Reply Wonderfully written! Hats off to you! Finally ET publishes something worth reading x

Mohammad Usama Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply we all know one thing for sure, as Muslims, there exists a dire need to revamp and reintroduce the Islamic beliefs and Practices to the world at large!! there are so many rampant cofusions rather Concocted stories about Islam that no one is even ready to pay heed to any welcoming gesture from a Muslim, be it woman or a man. but while doing so we must realize and practice that Humbleness, piety and Grace are our recognition!! our gestures need to be welcoming!! am not saying that we may doff Islamic practices to persude the West, no!! This is caprciousness!! what we are to do is to be a bit lenient and kind but within the ambit of Islamic Law when we propogate Islamic Message.........coz this is the need of TIME!!!

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Burqa woman: A 'make-believe' refugee

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