In an August 4, 2013 article in the Egyptian daily Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Saudi women's rights activist Nadine Al-Bedair, who is currently living in Dubai, argued that the custom obliging women to cover themselves with a hijab and with robes while praying had no Koranic basis. Al-Bedair called for shattering all social conventions and axioms that fetter Muslim women, as she put it, and for taking advantage the revolutions sweeping the Arab world to secure their liberation.
Two days before her article was published, Al-Bedair sparked the discussion by tweeting: "Why must I cover myself with a hijab while praying?"
The following are excerpts from her article:
[1]
I Have Not Encountered Any Explicit Koranic Verse Compelling Me To Don The Hijab.
"Lower [your] gaze, I'll pray to [Allah] my own way. Move away and allow me [to do so] without intermediary devices... Forget your boastful [grandstanding] against my body, don't butt in and don't disturb my moments of spirituality with your customary shallowness. Shred every covering and stop selling prayer robes. I hereby announce that I will not request permission to pray and I will certainly not get down on my knees [and beg] you to approve the attire that suits me."
"It's all illogical. Who corrupted our intelligence and prevented us from asking questions…
What [will happen] if I do not cover myself with a hijab during prayer [and do] without the prayer robe, [or] if I do not hide myself behind a cloth sheet while praying? I raised this question on Twitter.
The takfiriyyoun[2] who opposed this as arrogance [on my part] do not interest me. [On the contrary,] what drew my attention was the ability [displayed] by many people to shatter everyday conventions that are so [deeply] engrained that they have became untouchable and unquestionable axioms.
At first, the majority responded: Your question astounds us. Then they began to ponder [the question]. For hours and days I received diverse responses and unpersuasive answers attempting to prove that covering one's hair during prayer is obligatory; simultaneously, [I also received] other responses from women who do not wear a hijab during prayer, and, [in fact,] are not convinced they must wear it at all.
"[Oh for] the shattering of conventions. Imagine the cultural [freedom] we can attain once we shatter everyday conventions. [Some] argue that these are superficialities, and that ruminating over them is pointless.
In my opinion, it is [precisely] these things that seem too shallow to ponder that have brought us to this level of conceptual and sectarian madness and to this crazy [degree] of backwardness…
"Examining the Arab street during the 1960s, we would not have encountered a single woman wearing a hijab. Were [the women back then] apostates destined for hell, doomed to be hung by their hair on Judgment Day and [condemned] to suffer horrible torments!?
"Why should I cover myself with a hijab while praying? I have not encountered any explicit Koranic verse compelling me do so while praying or even while not praying... If the hijab is intended to prevent seduction, as people claim, who [exactly] am I seducing while praying alone?"
Hmmm....As i always said if Islam is to evolve like Christianity did, it will be thanks to brave, intelligent women, i salute this lady for her insight and courage.Read the full story
here.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, head of Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni world.“The niqab is a tradition and has nothing to do with Islam,” said Sheikh Tantawi, vowing to ban it in Al-Azhar schools.After the girl complied he insisted she should not wear it any more.“I tell you again that the niqab has nothing to do with Islam and it is only a mere custom. I understand the religion better than you and your parents.” The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar imam vowed to issue a ban against the face-veil in all schools linked to Al-Azhar.“Source
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