Muslim Women Speak Out
By Rajnaara Akhtar
Muslim
women who wear the Hijab have often been pitied by those who are not Muslim
and misunderstand the reason behind the head covering. The popular view of
the Hijab is something forced by fathers and husbands in order to subjugate
women. Any one holding these misconceptions need only have attended the
launch conference of the Assembly for the Protection of Hijab ("Pro-Hijab")
on Monday 12th July, titled "Hijab: A Woman’s Right to Choose", to be aware
of the reality.
After weeks of planning, London’s City Hall hosted "one of the most
successful women’s conferences" it has ever had, as stated by one City Hall
official. The capacity of the Chamber was 250. 300 delegates were present
within it; with dozens more queuing outside for over 2 hours before there
was space for them to join the conference. The delegates represented 102
organisations and were from 15 countries around the world, clearly
evidencing the international face of Pro-Hijab and the solidarity of Muslim
women around the globe.
The opening session was presented by a panel of Muslim women from all over
Europe, describing their commitment to the Hijab, their love for this veil
of modesty given to them by Allah almighty, and their determination to fight
to retain the right to wear it. These women were clearly anything but
oppressed, all being highly educated and integral parts of their own
societies. They were joined by a surprise guest, Hugo Charlton, chairman of
the Green Party and a last minute addition to the Programme. Mr Charlton is
a long-standing friend of the Muslim community and attended to express his
solidarity with the world’s Muslim Women on this issue.
Key Note Speech
The key-note speech was delivered by the eminent Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, the
guest of honour. Following a week long barrage of attacks against the Sheikh
by the extreme right wing press, using misquotes in an overt attempt to
vilify this world-respected scholar, the conference delegates made clear
what their position was. The Sheikh walked onto the chamber floor and was
received with a standing ovation, deafening applause and loud "takbir"
proclamations continuing for some time. This welcome sent out the clearest
signal about the Sheikh’s standing in the hearts and minds of Muslim people.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone also expressed his support by embracing
Sheikh Qaradawi as a long time friend and continuing in his speech to defend
the Sheikh against the unfair attacks against him. He concluded by inviting
the Sheikh back to London in October to join the European Social Forum
meeting, stating with a little sarcasm that he was sure ‘the Sun’ newspaper
would like that.
In his speech, Sheikh Qaradawi stated that the Hijab was not a religious
symbol used by Muslim women to express their religion. It was something that
was worn only in the company of non-Mahrem men and therefore had a specific
purpose. As it need not be worn in the company of women and certain male
relatives, it could not be labelled a ‘symbol’. He stated that non-Muslim
women could wear whatever they pleased, be it bikini or mini-skirt, and so
too should Muslim women be given the right to wear what they chose including
the Hijab.
The Hijab Ban
During the conference, the issue of the Hijab ban and its consequences in
France, other European countries and the world at large was addressed. The
significance of the Hijab to Muslim women, the human rights implications of
restrictions on religious practices, and the way ahead for challenging the
ban were all discussed in detail. Respected leading figures from the Muslim
and other faith communities in Britain and from across Europe all took part
to address these issues.
Speakers included Sarah Joseph OBE (EMEL), Professor Tarek Ramadan (Geneva),
Anas Altikriti (MAB), Milena Buyum (NAAR), Dr Alan Riley (Nottingham Law
School), Councillor Gurcharan Singh), Victoria Vandersteen (Belgium), Mr
Hans Vocking and Ms Ruby Mahera (IFE).
The general agreement amongst the speakers and the interjections from the
delegates and guests all reinforced the conclusion that the Hijab and
people’s right to religious freedom must be respected, and that the aims of
Pro-Hijab were not only legitimate but necessary to ensure that Muslim women
and other faith groups do not become victimised and oppressed by
ill-informed and ignorant bodies. Ken Livingstone identified the roots of
discrimination that the Hijab ban was the fruit of, stating: "It marks a
move towards religious intolerance which we in Europe swore never to repeat,
having witnessed the devastating effects of the Holocaust."
The Way Forward
The aim of the conference was to gather representatives from the vast
network of international organisations that collectively form Pro-Hijab, in
order to discuss and agree upon the steps that can be taken on a national
and international level to reverse the current Hijab ban trend. The final
session was an open floor discussion used to debate the steps forward. It
was concluded that Pro-Hijab would operate on two levels, national and
international.
At a national, ‘Liaison Pro-Hijab Committees’ would be set up in each
country to co-ordinate the efforts against the Hijab ban. On an
international level, co-ordinator of Pro-Hijab, Abeer Pharaon would lead the
campaign, beginning at the European level with European Parliament Lobbying
Day to take place on 22nd September. MEPs in support of the campaign have
organised a meeting in Brussels on this day to begin the ban reversal
campaign in Europe.
Most significantly, International Hijab solidarity day has been set to take
place on 4th September. This is an opportunity for people around the world
to show their solidarity with all those Muslim women who suffer persecution
and oppression due to their desire to observe the Hijab. In England, a
gathering of thousands will take place in London.
Pro-Hijab remains in its teething stages, having only been formed months
ago. However, the strength of this network should not be underestimated, nor
the message it is sending out – Muslim women will speak out loud and clear
to defend their sacred right to wear the Hijab.
Visit www.prohijab,net
Email: info@prohijab.net
For International Hijab Solidarity Day, email: Rajnaara@prohijab.net
Source:
The Muslim Weekly