The Hijab

Huh?

What is so wrong with the human form that it should be hidden? Actually having just looked into a full size mirror, where can I get one?

Anyone see Panorama last night? Very interesting split in opinion amongst UK muslims re the religious and the political. Unsurprisingly it's those who believe that there can be no divide between religion and politics that are the ones who shout the loudest, because, well because they're political. Also interesting was the tendency to merge cultural aspects (as in the wearing of the ... ok I've forgotten the name but the long dress the schoolgirl wanted to wear ... as opposed to the tunic and trousers) with religious aspects and give them the same weight. The MCB leadership did not come over well - I've seen Tony Blair give straighter answers. Good stuff though.

I agree. A few years ago I was threatened by a group of men while giving a lecture in London about Algerian Womens art and literature. I wasn't wearing the veil. But then I'm not a muslim. It doesn't have to be a religious thing but I think it's too easy to say that it's about control or counter culture. It can be as simple as identity and respect but it depends on the country, the moment in time and the person implemeting it.

Well quite, David. I wasn’t surprised by the ‘everything is political’ argument either. What was interesting about the programme was how it highlighted the debate amongst Muslims themselves over the issue. There really seems to be a frustration amongst the moderate mainstream Muslims with the pronouncements of the likes of the Muslim Council of Britain. Even one member within the council was critical. It was the leadership that came off particularly badly I thought. Re the dress code question – the girl herself said that by insisting on wearing that particular garment, she was defending her religious beliefs. Muslim scholars who were interviewed however, said there was no religious imperative for wearing it. If there had been a Muslim version of the Pope who decreed that all girls should wear it, then I guess she’d have a point. But there wasn’t and she didn’t have to, yet she was using the weight of her right to religious freedom to successfully argue her case. In that context I think you could say there was a difference between the religious and the cultural. They referred to the case because other Muslim leaders were critical of the MCB’s backing of her case on those grounds. (Just seen the flack Panorama's received from the MCB - mind you that's par for the course for Panorama I guess)

Well okay, David, who knows? It obviously varies a great deal across the country. All the Muslims I know (friends, neighbours and colleagues) are what I’d call ‘moderate.’ But if the programme was misleading and the centre of gravity of British Muslim opinion in general is politically to the right of the MCB then that worries me. It’s ironic though, as usually the media is accused of overstating the fundamental nature of Islam in the UK. Whatever its flaws though, I reckon it's still a programme worth watching if you do get the chance to see the repeat.

(Hi Camilla - don't mean to talk over you, just quickly finishing my conversation with David) Yeah it’s tricky using the left/right terminology in this context isn’t it (force of habit). I’m no fan of George Galloway, primarily because I can’t see how encouraging the insurgency to continue would help the Iraqis in their new situation (I was against the war in the first place though.) Happily, I don’t find it as alarming if young Muslims are joining Respect, because at least that’s a party everybody can join in so it’s not divisive, whereas we can’t all be Muslims. Anyway, ta for the discussion – I’m off on me hols (again). p.s. Ah yes, Iqbal Sacranie - he was interviewed but he reminded me of Lloyd George saying about negotiating with DeValera being akin to trying to pick up mercury with a fork.