[Reader-list] Brouhaha Over the Veil

[yasir ~]

I actually agree with yogi on the uses of the burqa (or thats how i
interpret his notice of preference for demureness in dressing) , or
some particular forms of veiling or head/hair/body covering, which are
many. i have been told by many women how, one, the scarf or chadar
gives an identity and a security of sorts in cosmopolitan
environments, or two, in rough neighbourhoods locally, where the male
gaze is too dominant, a burqa or chador gives the right sort, the
desired sort of social message for unhindered mobility, etc in public.

in both types of instances these are seen and coverings used as better
options given the environments which are hostile in different ways.

so i dont see anything wrong with the covering itself as long as its
not an enforced sort of thing by a posse or police like group, with no
other option/variation available. this rarely is the case unless you
are in saudi or iran.

In most real scenarios and environments, this is not the case - there
are also choices. also as yogi points with the workers - that puts
them in a majority of the women being talked about.  it seems the the
'heena' stereotype is particularly rabid. in turkey its the opposite -
you cant work in the govt with a scarf - even attending university
used to be problem - a case of the secular enforcing boundaries rather
too strictly?

on a lighter note there are trivial advantages too - such as not
having to stand in cues with the sweating men ...

what me westernized?

y