Turkish Islam and the headscarf

The struggle between secularism and Islam in Turkey continues;  now the Islamic-inclined government, which defeated the keenly secularist party in the election, plans to lift the ban on women covering their heads, Muslim-style, at universities (dating in spirit from Ataturk's secularism and in law from 1997). Under the changes only traditional scarves will be permitted in universities, tied loosely under the chin. No burqas, no chadors.  Even so there is a row about it, and the Prime Minister has stressed that this reform will be restricted to universities and that women civil servants and teachers will still be banned from covering their heads.
It is a tricky issue, because secular Turks fear the thin end of an Islamist wedge;  on the other hand polls suggest strong support for lifting the ban, and some devout women won't go to university because of it.

Comments

[Rick Beekman]

Ruth;

I Am Just Guessing That The Reason Men in Islam Wear A Headscarf is to keep the Sun From Heating Their Head?

Another Rumor I Heard Said it is a Rite of Passage. When A Boy Reaches A certain Age His Parents Take His Diaper Off His Bottom and wrap it around his Head!! Can this be True?

[Rick Beekman]

Libby;

I am certainly So Blessed to be a Christian. The Ladies in our Faith Do not wear Scarfs..Veils..Or other Headgear. The Bible teaches That a Woman's Hair is Given as Her Covering..Not A Hankerchief Etc.

[Maggie Millington]

It is utterly shameful in this day & age that women want to look like this. I realise they are encouraged if not told by their men they must do it, but THERE IS NOTHING IN THE KORAN about covering their heads. This rule is man made clear & simple, Muslim men are dogmatic.
Mark my words when this law gets lifted their will be a doubling of the rag heads.
To stay at home rather than take the silly thing off & go to college or work & put something back into society is no way to be a human being. Please God keep them out of the EU.

[Carl Waring]

"Mark my words when this law gets lifted their will be a doubling of the rag heads."

Class. Not only do you choose to use the term 'rag heads', but you also manage to misuse 'their'.

Rick Beekman's posts aren't even worth responding to.

[RW]

“Tell the believing men that they should restrain their gaze (from looking at women whom it is lawful for them to marry, and from others’ private parts), and guard their private parts. This is what is purer for them. God is fully aware of all that they do. And tell the believing women that they (also) should restrain their gaze (from looking at the men whom it is lawful for them to marry, and from others’ private parts), and guard their private parts, and that they should not display their charms except that which is revealed of itself; and let them draw their headcoverings over their bosoms, and (tell them) not to display their charms to any save their husbands.”
Sura 24 verses 31-31

Well, I find that pretty clear, don't you? That's why I cover my head and body, not because any man tells me to. But if I were careless in submitting to the will of God, and then was reminded by my brother, father, husband or son (mother, sister or daughter, etc), I would thank him/her.

But for Christians, it is as St Paul said:
“For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man.”
(1 Corinthians 11:2-16)

Have you ever seen a picture of Mary, mother of Jesus (upon him be peace) without a headcovering? I have noticed that Catholic women are starting to cover their heads again these days. My (Catholic) grandmother never went out without a scarf when I was small.

[Leila Suleyman]

yup been there, seen that, heard it, come up with something new, rag heads right where do i begin- firstly, its made of fabric/material so if what im wearing on my head is a rag so is your clothing on the body, diaper- get real, the headscrf doesnt resemble the diaper in any way, you guys should piss off yeah and dont talk about something which barely affects you and thank you very much i wear the hijab proudly. so take your trashy comments elsewhere.

[RK]

I still do not understand the issue with the scarf. As heard / read in many places, The Quran directs women to dress modestly and wear loose clothes. Yet, most women I see from Middle Eastern countries appear to wear a scarf while at the same time dressed in very tight fitting clothes (skin tight t-shirts, skinny jeans etc.). I would have thought men would be more aroused with body contours on display than hair.

[RW]

RK, you are completely right. Muslims women and men are not supposed to wear tight, revealing or see-through clothes. The fact that many do so is merely evidence of tolerance in most Muslim societies. I know people don't like to think as Muslims as tolerant but most of us are. Since we follow sharia for spiritual reasons, we see that it is better to allow people to develop their understanding of the inner meaning of modesty more gradually. Some people may never see the benefit of it and always wear flashy immodest clothing. Some see and progress. This all applies to men as well as women by the way.

[fuad hassan]

I dont understand why people have this negative views about Islam, People should stop following what the media tells them about Islams and they should read more about Islam. Have a nice day everybody and lets learn how to respect each other