Hajib or not hajib: that is the question

"Slinky Knits" two-piece hajib,* medium length, from Headwear Heaven

Blogger Highlander of From the Rock, billed by Healing Iraq as "the first blog ever to come out of Libya," has some fascinating things to say about why a woman might "take the plunge" and why it should be nobody's decision but her own:

Flashback 3 months ago, this lovely waitress who as I said had nothing to envy pop stars nor international beauties comes with a scarf, so I congratulate her and ask her how did she feel . Please do not think this is getting into private life, we usually congratulate those who have taken the plunge and worn a hijab, and we ask them about what was the factor which dipped the balance in favour of making this decision. She told me that she felt it was better and more comfortable for her this way.

I had my own theory about this, she is a real beauty with a gorgeous body, men were lining up in the cafeteria more than necessary to get to see her or chat her up. This kid needs her job and wants to be left alone. Therefore a scarf would immediately put a little distance because the man who would talk to her would think twice and would be more professional because he would not be thinking about her potential sexiness or readiness to go out with him.

Still, whatever her reasons to wear it, it was her personal choice not brother, or father or uncle or anyone else.

But now the hotel management has forbidden its staff to wear the hijab, "something which I thought would never happen in Libya":

Back to the present, how dare the management tell someone to uncover her head in her own country? And where are we heading to if a foreigner in my land is going to dictate dress code. She could not stand up to him as she has no union and no proper contract yet and with the unemployment rate she won't get a better job. Still it made me angry, but this anger is not directed at the foreigner only but at the ineffective people in charge of protecting her rights.

[via Gulf Reporter]

*Fashion notes from "Desert Store:  Arabia's Best Online Store":

The word Hijab comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. Although in the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. Also called Islamic veil, hijabs are used to cover the head of Muslim women in compliance to the modesty standard set by the Quran.

Hijabs come many different colors and styles.

Comments

[willow]

This reminds me of an article I read about Saudi journalist Wajiha al Huwayder. She wrote a scathing article (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=10327 on Arab men. I'm sure we're getting into stereotypes here, but while stereotypes aren't absolutes, they don't exist in a vacuum either. From the few Arab men I've been in contact with, I can say without a doubt if I lived in that part of the world I would be covered from head to toe to avoid being seen.

[Sissy Willis]

Hey, Willow --

I blogged about Wajiha al Huwayder the other day (had seen it, as you did, at LGF) . . . Interesting how the internet is becoming a virtual meeting place for women who aren't allowed to go out without supervision.

She also critized not just the men for being ineffectual boors but also the women for being lazy and greedy. Equal opportunity scathing.

Do you suppose blogging will make a difference?

http://sisu.typepad.com/sisu/2004/03/a_call_to_arab_.html

[willow]

Funny how I didn't really hone in on her critique of the women. Selective reading on my part? I hate when I do that.

I hope it will make a difference. When in history has communication between so many people from so many places been so easy and accessible? It's bound to have some effect, both good and bad.

Here's to the good...

[Fiona Finnie]

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