ESL Blogs

I have come with one of civil issues, which has grasped the attention of the western media after banning on burqa in France, Balgium, Austria, the Netherland, Bulgaria and now in Denmark on the pretext for security issues while the niqab-clab women are being prosecuted in media. I am, being as a viewer, failed to figure out as to whether the ban was imposed on burqa or niqab as they both are slightly different, but it matters a lot from legal aspect. When a term "burqa" is used while legislating it, then it doesn't make sense as to why niqab-clab women are being criticised. Besides,  I don't think the burqa is worn in any western countries. It is worn in Afghanistan and in some tribal areas of Pakistan. This black one is niqab and blue one is burqa 

Second the Muslim women are interrogated as to whether they  are forced by family member or husband to wear it, my answer is that it has nothing to do with the state to pose his nose into personal affairs of a couple or a family unless  a complaint against force is registered in any police station. If a complaint is filed by a woman being forced to wear it should be dealt on individual level just like other crime. There is no need to impose a ban on expression of faith in the country following few cases. The state or media has no locus standi to interfere in the affairs which have to be dealt within family. It seems as though government and media transcend their limit. 

To us as Muslim man, the burqa/ niqab is a symbol of purity, modesty, simplicity and humility and this world is a place of gaining purity as much as we can by following the commandment of Allah the Almighty enshrined in the Quran and Hadith after being interpreted according to the comprehensive skill and our level of piousness (taqwa). Interpretations based on Taqwa may not be measured by logic and wisdom. The taqwa starts from Hijjab, chadar, niqab and ends at burqa. These different code of dress caused by different level of taqwa. some Muslims don't  ponder over Allah's commandment, but confined themselves to the interpretation of their respective Imams whose duty were to make Islam easier, simple and practicable for a man in the street.

So far as the burqa or niqab  as security issues is concerned, it may not be resolved by banning on it. The security agencies in the state have to take their responsibility and take no action against an individual and respectable citizen unless they investigate all the elements and diagnose the diseases  that pose threat to the security and find cogent evidences against the miscreant rather than expressing suspects for innocent people in view of different outlook. it is really ridiculous and they are making themselves laughing stock for us. Besides, the terrorists are not so gentle  who abide by all state's rules before blowing themselves up. To them banning on burka/niqab makes no difference. Suppose, if the terrorists use the military uniform of the state to attack at public places with bare face, would the state ban on military to wear it on duty?  Not at all! So the case of Muslim women is not exception.

Will banning on burka or niqab bring good change ?

First, controlling people by restricting them from practice of faith will create more rebellions and make them less loyal to the state and less concerned with its internal and external affairs. They will lose trust in system of justice of which every state feels pride. They feel deprived of equal rights to practise faith which estranges them from integration. By doing so,  some of  the western countries as named above are justifying similar brutal actions being blamed on ISIS, Al-qaida and Taliban. The restriction on women's freedom will definitely hinder the country from progress culturally and economically. 

This is  Sahar Al-Faifi, who refuted all the negative narrative about full faced veil Muslim women by her actions. She is scientist, molecular geneticist, skydiver, social activist and what else she is not as woman. Yet, she looks so simple and humble in niqab. I watched many of her videos on niqab which compelled to share my thoughts on the subject matter.