Muslim Women All Body Swimsuits

[Duck on Wheels]

I remember back when I was studying Anthro, I came across an article on food taboos. "Oh, those," I thought to myself, "Other, less rational people have those; I don't." So I'm gladly reading along, laughing quietly to myself about the silly taboos. Then I get to a picture of a table set for a Seder ... with a bottle of Coke . And there it was. A taboo I felt in the gut. And so totally meaningless. I'm not observant. I don't even believe, don't even know what it is I'm s'posed to believe in. But Coke at a seder, that just felt so wrong. All right, so maybe it's that I don't like coke in general, but I took it as a humbling experience: I too am a bearer of inexplicable, irrational taboos.

Jump forward a few decades to current debates in Europe as to whether the burka, the chador, maybe even hijab are women-oppressive garments, and to France deciding that girls will not be allowed to wear hijab in school. To even out the blow, and only after the blow was challenged, they also forbade religious jewelry of any kind (little cross on a chain, mogen david on a chain, etc.). It struck me right off that that was the wrong way to go about it. That just makes hijab even more of an identity item, an embattled one at that. And in France, of all places !?!? Why not popularize hijab as a fashion garment instead? It already is a fashion statement for Muslim women (check out how they color-coordinate hijab with dress, etc.!) So why not popularize it? Wouldn't that take the religion-political edge off?

So lo and behold, now somebody has come up with the idea of hijab as fashion, especially as sports fashion, for everywoman. http://www.thehijabshop.com/capsters/index.php
First these designer sport hijabs were presented as a solution for Muslim women who want to run, ride, swim, ski ... But now it turns out lots of women are ordering them. (Note the "out of stock" on every single model!) They're pretty, comfy, practical (keep your hair clean, neat, out of the way). Think buff-with-chin-strap or Finland-style-balaklava but loose and airy. And in cool colors, coordinated with other sports gear. Nike also makes some -- in pink! http://www.ohmpage.ca/2006/03/20/nik...-sports-hijab/

For more discussion on this new fashion/religion/identity statement (or is it?) see blog and debate responses at http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2005/08/04/hijab/

[Mr. Bloom]

So lo and behold, now somebody has come up with the idea of hijab as fashion, especially as sports fashion, for everywoman. http://www.thehijabshop.com/capsters/index.php
First these designer sport hijabs were presented as a solution for Muslim women who want to run, ride, swim, ski ... But now it turns out lots of women are ordering them. (Note the "out of stock" on every single model!) They're pretty, comfy, practical (keep your hair clean, neat, out of the way). Think buff-with-chin-strap or Finland-style-balaklava but loose and airy. And in cool colors, coordinated with other sports gear. Nike also makes some -- in pink! http://www.ohmpage.ca/2006/03/20/nik...-sports-hijab/

Wow!!! A testimony to the potential versatility of the human spirit!

[Tuckervill]

Conservative modes of dress are not limited to Muslims, though. I have Pentecostal family members who have never cut their hair, wear only long skirts, and the men wear only long sleeved shirts. My own grandmother was over 80 before she cut her hair, but she had always worn it up, with a crown of ringlets around her face, so I never even knew she had long hair!

Many other Christian sects require modest dress, particularly from women. I can't think of any which require the face be covered (though I do know some who cover their heads). I think it's an interesting topic to ponder.

Karen

[Mr. Bloom]

Many other Christian sects require modest dress, particularly from women. I can't think of any which require the face be covered (though I do know some who cover their heads). I think it's an interesting topic to ponder.

One important distinction:

The quote I made from 1 Peter is directed as an encouragement to women and this is a choice for Pentecostals.

The quote from the Qur'an seems directed to the prophet as a mandate for women.

But, I think Grog's comment remains key in this discussion...that is, for some, cultural influences would make them uncomfortable any other way...

It's also very interesting to me that exercise would not be possible without some of the more innovative options shown on the website...

[Trek420]

It's also very interesting to me that exercise would not be possible without some of the more innovative options shown on the website...

Oh please, Islamic women did and do plenty in sport without Nike, etc. From Wikipedia, source of all knowledge

Women were an integral part of the sport in ancient Persia. Polo originated in the royal courts of ancient Persia 2,500 years ago. The queen and her ladies-in-waiting would play against the emperor and his courtiers.[5]

Today, Iranian schools offer Sport for Iranian students including girls. Despite some restrictions, Iran has many female athletes talented enough to win medals in international competitions. In 2000, Atousa Pour-Kashian, became world chess champion. In 2004, Zahra Asgardoun won a silver medal in sanshu competitions of the Asian women's wushu event.

On 30 May 2005, Farkhondeh Sadegh, a graphic designer, and Laleh Keshavarz, a dentist, became the first Muslim women to make a successful ascent of Mount Everest. In December 2005, Iran wins Asian women's canoe polo crown. In 2006, Iranian wushu athletes gained five medals in the Third Grand International Wushu Festival in Warsaw, Poland. Iranian women's national team athlete, Elham Sadeqi, won three golds in Taolu events. Iran's top race car driver is Laleh Seddigh who is skilled in both circuit and rally driving.

National teams include: Iranian women national football team, national taekwondo team, Natioanl chess team, track and field team etc.

[Tuckervill]

The quote I made from 1 Peter is directed as an encouragement to women and this is a choice for Pentecostals.

I think we've already established that it's a choice for Muslims, too.

Karen

[Grog]

I think we've already established that it's a choice for Muslims, too.

More Canadian pocket change:

I think that's too broad a statement for me to agree with...

For some, or maybe even most, it might be a cultural statement, for others something they take for granted, etc. So sometimes it might be a choice, and other times, not. Saying it's a "choice" assumes that individuals live in a vacuum where they don't have to worry about the reactions of others... With a matter as loaded as religious expression through dress, I'm not sure we can take "choice" for granted.

And, I'm afraid, in some cases, it's a "choice" motivated by fear. Fear of rejection, fear of disappointing family members, or fear of being harassed or beaten up by local tyrans who think they should decide how you should dress. I certainly don't think it's a majority. But in tight-knit communities with a Muslim majority, like in some of Paris' suburbs, it's certainly happening.

(And even thinking about it, we could imagine a Muslim girl who lives in a non-Muslim community, with non-religious parents, wanting to cover her hair but not doing so because she fears ridicule or rejection from her parents. It's all relative...)

I just don't think it's something we can make sweeping statements about.

[Mr. Bloom]

I think we've already established that it's a choice for Muslims, too.

Karen

While I'm confident that many do, I'm afraid that I know at least one Muslim woman who feels otherwise...she is a former co-worker from Pakistan, but she is ethnically Afgani. I think it varies by country/political environment.

But, even as an evangelical, I'm confident that women in some conservative christian sects feel more compulsion than choice in their clothing.

Roadraven: it's an interesting perspective that you offer. I'm intrigued because about 2% of the population probably commits 90% of our crimes (my guess)...While I don't agree with the characterization of men in general, I'm sure if they never saw a woman's skin, they'd like be driven crazy by the least bit...hmmm, I have to think about this one.

[margo49]

Hair covering is a mostly a religious identity statement and the particular kind of hair covering you choose is a political statement for your co-religionists (fine distinctions being usually lost on outsiders).
Women are endlessly inventive when it comes to personal decoration and what looks to some like an authoritarian stricture is simply (another) challenge

That said there are "pathologicals" like me who know that 70% of body-heat issues (hot or cold) can be solved by covering the head and therefore consistently wear hats from a physiological motivation.

[margo49]

I also look so much more cute, jaunty, smart and a whole list of other adjectives!