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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Niqab Ban: A Rant

Salam sisters,

I think that this is my first rant. It may not make sense and I may take it down later, but I need to get some of these feelings out.

I apologize ahead of time if I hurt anyones feelings. If I do so please let me know because that is not my intention.

Rated PG-13 for liberal use of the word "crap" lol

START RANT:

I am starting to get really PO'd with all of this niqab banning crap. If you want to cite security reasons, okay whatever, but in France security isn't their issue. (And for the record, I firmly believe that the "security" issues are ultimately red herrings thrown out there to divert the population away from the actual issues at hand: the stripping of a population of their rights due to their religion.) The issue in France is that niqab just isn't "secular enough" for the right wing good ol' boys. So their response? Take away people's rights to make little men in suits feel better about their "secularity."

Why would you want a woman walking around who reminds you of the fact that God and doing good things for people along with yourself isn't a priority in your life, right? We wouldn't want you to feel guilty or uncomfortable with your life choices...

And seriously they are going to fine a dude thousands of euro for "forcing" a woman to wear niqab. #1) how often does that really happen in France??? #2) How are you going to enforce that??? "oh your wife wears niqab so you obviously must force her. Here is your fine and one year jail time." Ridiculous.

Who is going to patrol the French Alps to make sure that every teenager in a ski mask is fined and ever father who puts a ski mask on his child goes to prison for a year with a heavy fine?

Who is going to patrol the countryside churches to arrest that bride in her veil and her father who lovingly covered her face with it before she walked down the isle?

Who is going to fine the doctors in their hygienic masks or the send the hospital administration to jail for requiring its use?

Who is going to fine the fumigators and painters for covering their faces?

If Joe Schmo can wear his lovely swastika on his sweater sleeve because it makes him feel powerful then I should darn well be able to cover my face for the Creator of the Worlds!!!!!!

All of this crap is directly related to the minaret banning crap. What is your reason for banning minarets??? Is that security too? Or secularity? Or just plain Islamophobia???????

And REALLY does Quebec have to do EVERYTHING that France does? I'm frankly appalled that this xenophobic crap has spilled over onto the same continent that I live on. I makes me physically ill.

On top of that they are denying people the right of public healthcare. They are denying CITIZENS the right of healthcare on the basis of RELIGION and freedom of EXPRESSION!!! And no one realizes how dangerous this is for human rights everywhere? Are we the only ones who seeeeeeee this madness?

I'm just really pissed and I have no idea what to do to fix the situation. Who do I write to? Who do I call? What do I need to say? Where do I need to say it? HOW do I help make this madness STOP?

And my favorite quote by Benjamin Franklin:
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

10 comments:

Wafa said...

it's a pure and simple STUPID decision.

Stacy K. said...

Love the Benjamin Franklin quote. My Allah protect us all from tyranny and oppression. We need to do what we can to let our voices of opposition be heard.

Rene´s Bare Essentials said...

I couldnt agree more! And like sara pointed out, it is even worse when our own muslims are on the side of the enemy instead of fighting back. Regardless if muslims wear niqab or not, it is part of the Sunnah of Islam.

Banana Anne said...

Masha'Allah, this post really got me thinking. I do not wear niqab, and I'm not sure that I think it's fard. However, I definitely believe that it is highly recommended, and part of the sunnah. Even if I don't wear it, it is my duty as a Muslim to uphold the Qur'an and sunnah and encourage and support my sisters who choose to wear niqab. I wish there was something I could do to express my support and protest against lawmakers that want to go through with this ridiculous ban, but for now all I can do is despise it in my heart and voice my opposition.

NeverEver said...

Wafa': I agree 100%

Sara: I know... that just makes it all the more painful. How do we get someone to listen to us when we can't even agree in our own group?

Stacy: Jazakillah khair, ameeeeeeen inshaAllah!

Rene: Yes, you are very right. I don't wear niqab, but I should be able to if I want as it IS a part of my religion. Why SAY that you allow freedom of religion and then not allow people to practice their religion the way they see fit? Why not just say "We only allow freedom of religion if it fits in our certain guidelines"? As that is more like the truth.

Anne: That is exactly how I feel. I don't usually like to get into really heavy or controversial stuff on this blog since it often invites people to behave negatively toward eachother (which is so wrong!) but I couldn't NOT say anything, you know?
If you find out any way to protest, please let me know and I will join you inshaAllah

Anonymous said...

I have the perfect solution,
Why not just wear surgical masks?? They are easy to get hold of and lets face it, they arent banned! if they tell you to take it off, its not illegal!
definitely legal for healthcare!
I mean in china and Japan you are encouraged to wear one if you have a cold etc!

NeverEver said...

Elizabeth: Lol, I did think about that, but it just doesn't seem like it would be as comfortable... :-P

Rene´s Bare Essentials said...

I agree with elizabeth, I posted a blog about niqabies wearing surgical masks with their hijabs for those sisters who live in countries where it is banned. The government would never ban surgical masks, especially since so many non muslims wear them! niqabies just need to be creative =)

Christie said...

assalaamu alaikum,

I think you have it right when you said that banning the niqab and minaret and etc. are just red herrings. I mean, what could they possibly want to 'cover up'...failing economies, incredible corruption, arms sales to if-y people, societies falling apart from lack of morals? Really the list could go on and on.

And I think that you were spot on about having openly religious people being a reminder about Allah and people striving for good.

Well done, and insha'Allah we can change this nasty legislation.

Anonymous said...

Rene- "it is even worse when our own muslims are on the side of the enemy instead of fighting back."

Just out of curiosity, who is the 'enemy'?

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