Although living in the 'Islamic' Republic of Pakistan are we really Muslims? A question that would definitely be answered with a 'sure' or even by todays standards would be frowned upon. But still i ask - are we really muslims? There are alot of anomolies that one could go into but one that is never been debated or even talked about is the womans veil in our society according to islamic teachings - because we apparantly prescribe to it. I'm not putting forth the radicalized version of the 'womans veil' but living in times of 'Enlighted Moderation' we still are muslims. Alot has been said about the subject of woman and the veil and in the society we live in we see all sorts of women with their own interpretation of the veil - good or not good i'll leave it to them. But what is interesting is the fact that the mainstream clerics who are a spiritual guidance for us are playing a double game here. On one side they want women to wear the full hijab (the one that goes from head to toe) and on the other side there is no objection to the elite women who is not even having on a 'Dupatta'. Entertainment shows, News Talk Shows every one watches them, i'm sure these maulanas watch them too everyday. Women on TV Talk Shows wearing tight dresses, wearing no dupatta or hijab - its becoming the norm. Apparently, there is no difference anymore from the indian news broadcast and the pakistani one.
I never heard of any maulana with an objection in this matter. But they are really hardlined with other issues like blasphemy law these days. Approving the killing of a governor in the name of god is deemed to be more worthy then raising an objection to the changing norms of our generation. Why are maulanas silent in this regard? Why don't they put fatwas on these channels? Are there personal gains involved?
Its not just the clerics, the majority of the people are involved in it. Nobody talks about it - whats wrong. We like to watch Award Shows full of glamour and all the beauty of the participants - its not less then the one held in indian culture. But maulana sahib doesn't say a thing. Why don't they disapprove of it?
Ok, if you as an orator or spiritual guide do not object to it then i guess its nothing wrong with it. Then there is no wrong in not wearing a veil or a hijab. But why is it that this is only seen in pakistan's posh areas. Lahore Defence, Islamabad Jinnah Market etc. you'll see pakistani-muslim girls wearing t-shirts and jeans. Slowly as you move towards the suburbs and then to the more rural area - the veil or hijab gets more acceptance and usage. I'm sure the elite and posh community has a mosque or two in their secotrs or areas. I'm also sure these mosques have a maulana or a maulvi sahib in there. Isn't it the duty of these people to guide the lost souls. Its youngsters who are prone to the western culture, its the bitter fruit they want to try out themselve to come to a conclusion - but its the duty of parents and evenmore the task of our spiritual leaders to guide us. But why don't they say a thing about this matter?
Is it may be because they wouldn't want to distance themselve from the rich and powerfull who are their prime source of income? I'll leave the issue of the relationship of rich and maulvi sahib for you to ponder on.
In summary, ask yourself these questions:
1. Why are the posh girls or girls/woman on TV allowed to be that free in not caring for their veil and no religiuos/spiritual leader talks about it?
2. Why are girls or women in rural areas bound to wear a veil or even mistreated if they don't wear hijab? Isn't it that the best hijab according to maulvi sahibs in rural areas is the one that goes from head to toe?
Disclaimer: I'm not for a radicalized version of Islam neither to judge the norm a woman prescribes to. Its a decision that every person has to make for himself what is good and what not. Whether one respects his true religious teaching or not is a decision one has to make on his own. Equally i don't regard every Maulvi sahib the same but the majority is like this - this is the fact.
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