From David Anthony Hohol…
Led by France and President Nicolas Sarkozy, Europe continues to move towards a full ban on both the full face-covering burka and the niqab, while cries of discrimination against Muslims run through the Arab World. A funny thing then happened – Muslims the world over were caught off guard when Syria banned veils of all types from post-secondary institutions across the country, both public and private.
The ban reveals an unusual agreement in principle between the authoritarian secular government of Syria and democratic Europe. In the end, both see the niqab as an oppressive threat to identity and secularism.
Directives have been given to all Syrian universities from the Ministry of Education to ban niqab-wearing (and burka-wearing) women from even registering. Syria has taken things even further by transferring all primary school teachers who were wearing the niqab out of the classrooms and into administrative positions, separating them from the children altogether. The political aim is to protect Syria’s secular identity.
Only last week, the French parliament approved a ban on the niqab, doing so in an effort to define and protect French values — a move that angered many in the country’s large Muslim community. When news of Syria’s ban hit however, there was barely a ripple. The lack of protests suggests there is a double and somewhat hypocritical standard being applied by many in the Arab World.
“Well, it’s not really a part of Islam. Nowhere does it say that a woman must cover her face and anyone who says so is lying. It’s more about very old traditions,” is something I heard several times when discussing the ban with people here in the Middle East.
This is a far cry from, “ Those French Bastards should mind their own business! Sarkozy is an asshole! ”
Back in August this writer openly disagreed with the blanket ban being attempted by France. Niqabs and burkas should certainly be banned from any and all levels of education and places of work, but banning someone from wearing what they want to wear while walking down the street on their day off is just plain ridiculous. A government cannot over-reach itself in such a manner and must have limitations. Too much government is never a good thing. A sweeping law such as the one proposed in France suggests a blindness to the fact that drafting laws to dictate the dress codes of women at all times is exactly what the backwards dictatorships in Saudi Arabia and Iran do, making such a law an inverted reflection of what it is standing against.
Nevertheless, one can argue the extremist ban by France has had ripple effect of positive change in the Middle East.
Syria is only the latest nation to take a stance on the veil. Turkey has not only long banned the niqab, but even the headscarf, considering attempts to allow them an affront to the nation’s secular Laws. The Egyptian and Jordanian governments have started to discourage them, and the United Arab Emirates has also begun to ban them in certain instances. With the Muslim world looking to cut out the niqab, its no wonder the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium are all considering taking steps similar to that of France. And it’s also understandable that if Muslim countries are willing to ban them from schools or workplaces, European countries would take things one step further and attempt to ban them altogether.
Opponents have said such bans violate freedom of religion, one’s personal right to choose and further still, such legislation damages the image of Muslims. They fall relatively silent however, when countries within the Arab world take similar measures.
It’s also important to note that while the West’s objection to face-covering is largely a form of activism in the name of women, moves to do the same from inside the Arab World stem from fear of social dissent.
Middle East experts say the issue is more about the growing chasm between the Arab World’s secular aristocracy and the poverty-stricken masses of the lower class who often turn to religion for comfort. The niqab is not widespread in Syria, Jordan or Egypt, but in recent years it has become more common. The Middle East in general is currently witnessing a rapid growth of income gap, and governments have been quick to take note. Lower class and the working poor tend to cling to religion as a way to cope with their less than satisfactory existence. Salafism, the most extremist sect of Islam, is what Syria is trying to discourage with this ban. Simply put, the government wants to stamp out any symbolic dissent represented by the very un-secular niqab in order to maintain control.
“We are witnessing a rapid income gap growing in Syria — there is a wealthy ostentatious class of people who are making money and wearing European clothes. The lower classes are feeling the squeeze. It’s almost inevitable that there’s going to be backlash. The worry is that it’s going to find its expression in greater Islamic radicalism,” says Joshua Landis, an American professor and Syria expert who runs a blog called Syria Comment.
It’s a mistake to view the niqab as a personal freedom. It is rather a declaration of extremism.” Says Bassam Qadhi, a Syrian women’s rights activist.
There’s no doubt, Islam is changing. As a religion, Islam is more than 600 years younger than Christianity. Let’s not forget 600 years ago the Judeo-Christian West was burning women at the stake for being witches. A more pluralistic, more secular and indeed, a more Western version is Islam is inevitable. It will simply take some time, but the clock is already ticking.
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I had never really thought about Islam being a young religion that needs time to find itself before, but you’re right. What people did in the name of Christianity 500 years ago represents some of the ugliest moments in human history. Five centuries later we’ve mellowed and secularized. I agree, the same will happen with Muslims. There is no escaping it/
The French and Europe in general have always been more socially conscious and it makes sense they would take the steps they have. I must admit I am pleasantly surprised to say the least the Syrian government had the fortitude to make such a ban. There is hope after all.
Who are you to breake the law impossed by Islam??? It is so shameful that a Muslim country would do this. This will divide the ummah Syria is heading toward darkness if they cannot respect the will of the prophet, peace be upon him. Allah will be punish those who made this law.
ShamefukSyria – looney Muslims like you is exactly what makes your religion look bad. I mean really. Surprised and Happy to see Syria doing the right thing. More Arab countries will follow suit I am sure. Its time to get Modern and leave this ancient and oppressive practice behind.
I don’t get how all Arab world anger only appears to be pointed at Western countries who are banning Niqab or HIjabb? Why don’t we say anything when the Muslim countries so the same thing?
There exists no greater tool of subjigation in the Arab world than the burka and niqab. Even those women who say they want to wear have been conditioned to think so. And Syria of all places! hard to believe but great wonderful to hear.
Take this from a Muslim. The niqab and the even more perverse burqa are bedouin backwards and bullshit. I think it is great that Syria, perhaps the most conservative Bilad Al Sham country, is banning the veil. And I will take things even further by saying I agree with the full ban in France. There is no need for such an ugly symbol of oppression and radicalism.
Now it will be more difficult for Muslims to explain directing their rage towards France and other European countries. They are at least countries that are non-Muslim and in the end, have the right to legislate however they choose. That’s called democracy. But with Syria, Egypt and Turkey banning niqabs and even headscarves in same cases, maybe the Arabs should worry about what’s going on in their own countries before criticizing those who live in different cultures.
The quote from Bassam Qadhi says it all – “a declaration of extremism” – and there is no denying that. That is why the Syrian govt is doing this. I dont care what any extremist Muslim says, the full face veil is an entirely an unIslamic practice that’s more about the ideology of discrimination and control.
As suggested by the author this is just a sign of the times.
Hey ShamefukSyria – you’re totally awesome! LOLLLL!!
While some will call is the demise of the fall of the religion, others will call it the modernization and secularization of Islam. This is just the beginning. As alluded to in the piece, Islam will be a very different religion 100 years from now, more like the Christianity of today, just with a different prophet, for better or for worse.
I agree strongly with the ban decision, NIQAB or whatever has nothing to do with Islam, its an old traditions that raised from some conservatives country and people followed by Muslims overall the region.
Thank you! I really appreciate your article, in fact I think you deserve a thumbs up.
I am Canadian, grew up Canadian. When I reverted to Islam I donned the scarf and modest dress. After a year or so I found my hair was getting so thick and beautiful and that pleased me. I enjoyed wearing a nice scarf and considered it part of my wardrobe because I got creative using it as a fashion piece. I like my hair long and grew to love not having it blow in my face all the time. Wearing the scarf was voluntary completely. So was the day I just stopped. It is cold up here and I loved wearing it in the winter btw. I still wear modest dress just not a scarf.I found it to be a conversation piece actually not that that was my purpose for donning it. I am still Muslim in my ways. I find that where the scarf or naqib are enforced are cultures that are extremely male dominated and fanatical. The scarf was not mandatory really until the onset of the Wahabbi from the most backward country of the bunch, Saudi Arabia. Full face burka does not suit in the west but if a woman wants to wear them in a Muslim country it should be HER choice and many do make that choice but most are forced to do it by the elders in the familyl It is more cultural. Nowhere in the Koran does it mention head covering is mandatory.