CULTURE
Afghanistan Imposes Law to Wear Burkas; Modesty or Oppression?
The Debate Around Burkas in the West
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
It was a mixed bag of news yesterday. On the one hand, we celebrated Mothers Day in the US and many other parts of the world. It was a day to honor and appreciate all the amazing mothers. But on the other hand, we learned some unfortunate news about how women are being treated in other parts of the world.
Afghanistan has just imposed a law that makes Burkas mandatory for women! This is unacceptable in the 21st century. We need to do better than this if we want to be a civilized society.
I can only hope that this news will help bring more awareness to the plight of women in Afghanistan and other parts of the world where they are not treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Sharia Law
There is a lot of debate about whether Sharia Law should be imposed in Muslim countries. But one thing is for sure; it is not a law that treats women fairly.
Under Sharia Law, women are not allowed to leave the house without a male relative, they are not allowed to work, and they are not allowed to drive.
This law puts enormous restrictions on women and does not allow them to live their lives the way they want.
The Taliban’s decision to make Burkas obligatory for women is another example of how they are oppressing women under Sharia Law.
A male guardian can be sentenced to three days in jail if a woman in her family does not follow official warnings and refuses to listen to her brothers.
The proclamation was characterized as “advice” by Taliban officials. Yet, they provided a fixed series of escalating penalties for anybody who does not comply.
Muslims are advised in the Quran, Islam’s sacred text, to dress modestly. Male modesty covers the region from the navel to the knee. When a woman is in the presence of men she isn’t married or related to, she should cover everything except her face, hands, and feet.
However, many Muslims believe that this does not go far enough. There has been much discussion about it within Islam. This has resulted in a distinction between the hijab (literally “covering up”) and the niqab (meaning “full veil”).
The niqab is a face covering that leaves the region around the eyes clear, whereas the hijab is a scarf that covers the hair and neck. It’s worn with an abaya, a full-length dress, and sometimes a translucent eye veil.
The burka, the most concealing of all Muslim veils and consists of a mesh screen for vision, covers the whole face and body. It is also known as a chadri or paranja in Central Asia.
Burkas are not only a symbol of oppression, but they also pose a severe safety risk to the women who wear them. They make it difficult to see and breathe, leading to accidents and health problems. In some cases, women have even died from wearing them.
It is time for the Taliban to lift this oppressive law and allow women to live their lives with dignity and respect.
Often, it is a choice.
This is a topic that can be argued from many different perspectives. The debate around Burkas in the West has become heated with the rise of terrorist attacks in Europe and America.
Some Muslim women are fighting back against the assumption that they are oppressed by wearing Burkas. They argue that they wear them as a symbol of their faith and culture rather than oppression.
Some women say they feel empowered by wearing them because it is the only thing separating them from society’s norms.
It is important to remember that not all Muslim women are forced to wear Burkas. Often, it is a choice that they make.
We need to respect the choices of Muslim women and not force our own beliefs on them. We should also be working towards a world where all women have the option to dress how they want without fear of oppression or judgment.
I am not against women wearing a piece of clothing because of their religious beliefs; I am against that they are forced to wear one against their will.
It’s important to remember that there are many different types of Muslims, and not all believe in the same things.
Modesty or Oppression?
The Afghan Taliban have made it mandatory for women to wear burkas. Women are not allowed to leave their homes without a male relative, and they cannot work or go to school. The Taliban enforce these rules with the threat of violence.
The Taliban claim that the burka symbolizes modesty, but it attempts to control women. Many Afghan men want women to cover themselves, so they do not “entice” other men, which they believe will lead to adultery.
Women are forced into wearing this garment because they face severe consequences like being beaten or killed if they don’t wear it.
The Taliban’s enforcement of the burka violates women’s rights. It is an attempt to control their bodies and restrict their freedom.
The Muslim woman’s dress code has long been a topic of debate, with many arguing that it is oppressive to force them to cover up. In contrast, others say it protects them from harassment or sexual assault.
It has also been argued that the burka law prevents Muslim men from objectifying them by covering up their bodies, reducing the chance of them being harassed.
While there are many different opinions on the matter, it is essential to respect the choices of Muslim women.
What do you think? Do you believe Burkas are a symbol of modesty or oppression? Let me know in the comments below!
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This article appeared first in Substack’s Beyond Two Cents.
