abdulhakeem
10-11-04, 10:58 PM
By Ali Al-Hail
Al-Jazeerah, November 10, 2004
It is observed that stereotyped media images about Muslim and Arab women are either misrepresentations of reality or a result of certain practices prevailing in the Muslim world which are alien to the teaching of Islam. In the following instances from different but related spheres, these ideas will be explored.
Citing controversies about an ‘Islamic dress code’ for women, it can be said that Islam does not impose any particular dress code on women. If Islam enjoins anything like a dress code, it is applicable for both men and women. The whole idea behind a dress code is to dress in a decent manner, which does not project body features and attract unnecessary public attention.
Like women, men are also discouraged from wearing tight as well as showy garments. Islam does not prescribe any particular color or style for dressing for women or men. It has to be pointed out that, wearing black, by Muslim women, is a practice that spread after the assassination of Ali (May God be pleased with him), the fourth Caliph of Islam and the son-in-law of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). It has also, to be said that driving by women is not a taboo in Islam. During the Prophet’s time, there was a woman named Khawla Bint Al Azwar, who (May God be pleased with her) was an excellent horse rider, which is comparable to driving a Mercedes Benz in the modern times. The prophet (PBUH) or none of his companions prevented her from going out in public riding her horse. If Gulf women (as a representative sample of Muslim women) are permitted to drive their vehicles, they will be able to spend more time with their children, taking them to school and back and it will also, help to reduce the large number of chauffeurs.
Arranged marriages, which is one of the reasons for a high divorce rate in the Gulf countries, are a distortion of Islamic precepts. Men and women are allowed to meet before proposed marriages, in a decent manner, to help them understand each other. But private meetings are not permitted because it may lead to illicit relations. Such pleasures should be reserved for married life. Islam gives a Muslim woman the same right as a man to divorce. She can approach an Islamic Shariah (Legislation) court seeking divorce from her husband and the court will sanction her request if it is genuine.
Muslim women are not prohibited from working outside their homes and in certain areas, like education and nursing, their services are extremely, necessary.
It has to be pointed out that women in the Gulf countries, especially, in Qatar, are far ahead of men in educational achievements. Around 80% of the Qatari girls are getting enrolled in the university after their school studies, while the percentage of boys is only 50%.
Professor Ali Al-Hail, Ph.D., M.E.
Professor of Mass Communication, Member of AUSACE, ASC, IABD, IMDA, NEBAA, AEJMC, BEA American Associations
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2004%20opinions/November/10%20o/Western%20Images%20of%20Muslim%20women%20By%20Ali% 20Al-Hail.htm
Al-Jazeerah, November 10, 2004
It is observed that stereotyped media images about Muslim and Arab women are either misrepresentations of reality or a result of certain practices prevailing in the Muslim world which are alien to the teaching of Islam. In the following instances from different but related spheres, these ideas will be explored.
Citing controversies about an ‘Islamic dress code’ for women, it can be said that Islam does not impose any particular dress code on women. If Islam enjoins anything like a dress code, it is applicable for both men and women. The whole idea behind a dress code is to dress in a decent manner, which does not project body features and attract unnecessary public attention.
Like women, men are also discouraged from wearing tight as well as showy garments. Islam does not prescribe any particular color or style for dressing for women or men. It has to be pointed out that, wearing black, by Muslim women, is a practice that spread after the assassination of Ali (May God be pleased with him), the fourth Caliph of Islam and the son-in-law of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). It has also, to be said that driving by women is not a taboo in Islam. During the Prophet’s time, there was a woman named Khawla Bint Al Azwar, who (May God be pleased with her) was an excellent horse rider, which is comparable to driving a Mercedes Benz in the modern times. The prophet (PBUH) or none of his companions prevented her from going out in public riding her horse. If Gulf women (as a representative sample of Muslim women) are permitted to drive their vehicles, they will be able to spend more time with their children, taking them to school and back and it will also, help to reduce the large number of chauffeurs.
Arranged marriages, which is one of the reasons for a high divorce rate in the Gulf countries, are a distortion of Islamic precepts. Men and women are allowed to meet before proposed marriages, in a decent manner, to help them understand each other. But private meetings are not permitted because it may lead to illicit relations. Such pleasures should be reserved for married life. Islam gives a Muslim woman the same right as a man to divorce. She can approach an Islamic Shariah (Legislation) court seeking divorce from her husband and the court will sanction her request if it is genuine.
Muslim women are not prohibited from working outside their homes and in certain areas, like education and nursing, their services are extremely, necessary.
It has to be pointed out that women in the Gulf countries, especially, in Qatar, are far ahead of men in educational achievements. Around 80% of the Qatari girls are getting enrolled in the university after their school studies, while the percentage of boys is only 50%.
Professor Ali Al-Hail, Ph.D., M.E.
Professor of Mass Communication, Member of AUSACE, ASC, IABD, IMDA, NEBAA, AEJMC, BEA American Associations
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2004%20opinions/November/10%20o/Western%20Images%20of%20Muslim%20women%20By%20Ali% 20Al-Hail.htm