Annie Anthrax wrote on Sep 18
th, 2014 at 4:52pm:
Soren wrote on Sep 18
th, 2014 at 9:52am:
What makes the observant Christian different is that you cannot tell by looking at her that she is. Christianity is really in the heart, not on the sleeve and people find public demonstration of piety ostentatious.
That revulsion and perception of showing off also applies to other religions public preening.
What did you think about demonstrating your Muslima credentials in public in a society where this is not the nor? Was there a dose of youthful rebellion in there?
Do you dress to please other people? If we didn't challenge norms, it would still be risqué to show a bit of ankle.
When I was a Muslim, I didn't wear the scarf as an emblem to say "Hey - look at me, everyone. I practice Islam." The hijab is functional - a tool for covering the hair.
The hijab and niqab are religious and social challenges to the norm, otherwise a hat or a cap would do. Public demonstration of the challenge is the main thing, I think, and challenging the non-muslim public sphere is crucial.
If Muslis were to dress in a certain way in private, Muslim spaces, it would be an obviously purely religious attitude. But bringing it to the neutral, nonreligious public space is a challenge to that very norm: neutral, nonreligious, public space.
It is as anachronistic in the west as the hashids' fur hats and frock costs or wearing a kimono to your office job in the city or Sikhs driving cabs with a turban or a PNG highlander applying for a job at Macca's dressed in nothing but a penis sheath and a bone in his nose to accessorise.
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