A Facial 'Fig-Leaf' For A Muslim Woman
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
27 April
2023
One must
appreciate Tabassum Shaikh for topping the Karnataka PUC State Exams. Now it's
incumbent upon her to publicly condemn hijab as a sign of oppression and
Islam's religious chauvinism. One may say that she's too young to be so vocal
against a practice which's as old as Islam is. But then, Malala Yousufzai was
even younger and was in a country which's religiously too backward and
prehistoric.
Tabassum
must realize that she's a brilliant girl, a topper at that and she has achieved
this by shedding hijab. Her peers who were reluctant to do away with hijab,
left their modern education for the orthodox Islam. No one knows them. But
whole India knows Tabassum and everyone is lauding her efforts for standing
first-class-first.
We often
say in Dari, 'Bera Bina Izz Aadat-e-Musteer Ifn An' Kazeer-E-Mustaqil' (once
you bid adieu to a bad habit, leave it completely).
Tabassum
must put her foot down and state categorically that hijab is an impediment to a
woman's empowerment and she's happy to have left it completely to surge ahead
in life.
Tabassum's
unequivocal criticism of hijab will pave the way for other Muslim girls who
want to pursue higher studies and do something worthwhile in life.
What
impedes your progress and individuality, must be dispensed with. When a Muslim
teacher asked Qurratulain Hyder why she never wore a veil/hijab? Her reply was,
'Hijab Pahanti Toh Ghar Pe Hi Baithti, Padhne Kyon Aati? ' (Had I worn
hijab, I'd have preferred to stay indoors. I'd not have dared come out to
study). Needless to say, what the legendary novelist, journalist and
academician achieved in her life.
The
brilliant and highly educated Pakistani poet(ess) Parveen Shakir, who never
wore a hijab in her rather brief life (she died in a car accident at the age of
42), called hijab, ' a facial fig-leaf for a Muslim woman.'
Pakistani
Human Rights activist Asma Jehangir would often say, "Hijab Kathmullon
Ki Beewiyon Aur Betiyon Ke Liye Hai, Padhi-Likhi Aurton Ke Liye Nahin"
( Hijab is meant for the wives and daughters of the clerics and fanatics, not
for the educated women).
When hijab
is being condemned and criticised across the world and women are dying in Iran
and Afghanistan, it's time for every Muslim girl and woman to throw away this
oppressive piece of apparel that smacks of religious primitivism and sartorial
ghettoisation. Once again, kudos to Tabassum.
-----
A
regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative
religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the
world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/facial-fig-leaf-muslim-woman/d/129651
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