Just curious. Why are women singled out for veiling their faces. Why not men? Is the answer a sexist edict from Mohammed or Allah? I think there are plenty of reasons to hide a woman's face but why not the mugs of Islamic men? Are women considered property and the veil a symbol of 'this one's taken'? Is the Hijab some kind of sin prevention measure or do some people wish not to be stared at.
If it is not really designated as to who should wear what, is it unlawful for a woman not to wear the hijab? Is it personal choice? Could a man wear one if he wanted too?
It depends on the culture of the country and of course, personal choices made by people. In Turkey e.g. women who wear the hijab are forbidden from entering university and have been campaigning since 1923 for their right to wear it. In India, its driven by family values (even among non-Muslims); people tend to wear hijab or not based on education, social pressure, etc. I only wore a hijab in Saudi Arabia, because there it is illegal to not wear one (btw, hijab for non-Saudis in KSA is only restricted to covering hair). Saudi men also cover their hair and wear a full length garment, in essence I suppose you could call it hijab, if you wanted to think of it that way. I've never seen a Saudi man in shorts.
Seeing how it covers the faces of many women it appears somewhat hygenic. Could the custom of wearing one come from a situation where veiled people once avoided an airborne disease epidemic? Anyway, the fact that men as a rule don't wear a veil, mean that is consider feminine?
I believe the Arabs adopted it from the Byzantine Christians in whom women of the upper classes were veiled. But it is really useful in places like Saudi Arabia, for protection from sandstorms, glare and to prevent drying and sunburn. Many Arab women are very fair. Men also cover their faces by twisting their headcovering (Ghutra, the red/white checkered scarf) over their faces and using the heavy circular Igal to keep it in place, in addition they also wear a Taqiyyah to cover their hair under the Ghutra Igal Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Taqiyah Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Plus most Saudi men also wear a Bisht ( a coat) Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I think the Koran has line or two about covering breasts, but not the face. So it would a later cultural development in that case...problably designed to hide your wife from the covetous glances of other men. There is a tribe in North Africa where its the men who wear the veils, not the women. Cant remember their name, but it was in National Geographic years ago.
I had a Saudi friend in college, he said that that was a way to sneak into a womans' house to see their girlsfriends, & have oral sex, technical virgins still
Got to give those Saudi guys credit. Wonder if the girls remove the hijab for those moments. Sounds kind of sensual. I tell ya, if sex was a religion we'd be at peace.
The girls don't wear the hijab at home; in fact you might be surprised to see what they do wear. Western clothing.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
If the hormones are raging they could be wearing a suit of armor and it wouldn't matter. Still it wouldn't cause suspicion if someone arrived at your house wearing a hijab in Saudi Arabia. I'm starting to think that the younger Muslims are beginning to lose some of the tradition and its their parents generation that one has to worry about.
