The West has often viewed the headscarf as a symbol of female oppression in Islam. Some Western feminists believe that it is their job to free the Muslim women from this controlling practice, and show them that they have freedom to express themselves however they please. Why is it not accepted that the headscarf or any form of covering can be a choice? Why does the West preach that it is trying to ‘save’ Muslim women while at the same time persecuting those very same women?
On March 14th, 2017, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that companies can ban their employees from wearing the Islamic headscarf (hijab). The court stated “an internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination.” This ruling follows a slew of attempts by several European nations to ban coverings commonly worn by Muslim women.
Last year Dutch members of Parliament supported a law that was a partial ban on full-face veils (niqab); but no law has been implemented yet. Laws against full-face coverings are already in effect in countries such as France, Belgium, Bulgaria, and are under consideration in Germany. These laws will, or already do, apply to public and government spaces. Earlier last year local authorities in the French Riviera tried to place a ban on burkinis (full-body covering swimsuit), and have fines imposed on those that continued to wear them. However, this attempt was repealed by courts soon after its implementation.
In Islam it is not an obligation for women to wear a form of covering. Instead it is intended to be a choice. One cannot base their views on head coverings and Islam with examples of extremism; such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Such examples of oppression are due to governments, not the religion itself. One must comprehend the distinction in order to form an informed opinion on the matter. The argument cannot be that Islam is oppressive to women due to the fact that in western cultures women appear to dress differently. More importantly the West must look at their restrictive laws on Muslim women before passing judgement on other nations.
If many groups of Western feminism continue to preach that there must be equality for all, then this should include all women. It cannot exclude those that choose to be more covered than what is seen as the Western norm. There should be a push back on the recent restriction on Muslim women in the West. The hijab, niqab, and burka are a form of expression by Muslim women; and it should not be silenced.
“My body, my choice” is often a rallying cry at women’s marches. These words must apply to all women and include all forms of expression.
