GrgotSlave

Oh ofcourse there are going to be situations where people are forced to cover themselves and stuff. But, even though you guys might not be saying it I just want to make clear that even though it's there families and governments acting this way, it's doesn't really represent true Islamic teachings. In Islam, if you're not doing it for the right reasons (to please God), then there's no point in doing it at all. Similarly, if a girl is wearing Hijab because her parents are forcing her too and she doesn't really want to do it, then there's no blessing in that and ultimately the parents conduct is wrong.

Also, Jess, there are TONS of white americans who are Muslims so that point is pretty insignificant.

Thank you because I hope this makes people realize that it's not only Muslims in the world acting like this. No matter who does it, Muslim or not, forcing someone to do something against their own will is wrong.

Regarding the heat and stuff like that, my sister covers her head and wears the full robe to cover her body (which was completley her choice by the way, I didn't even know she wanted to wear the robe untill the day she wore it to school with me ), and I asked her the same question. She made two points: 1. It's not really that much hotter because the fabric is extremely thin and 2. She's doing it to please God so facing a little heat to gain the pleasure of Allah is something she has no problem doing.

In the end of it all, I completley have to agree with this. When you go into a country, specifically Saudi Arabia, from certian stories and stuff, you're expecting that you have to act a certain way. If you're not willing to live by that conduct, then don't visit. There's no harm on either side.

FantaOrSprite

Yeah but you can't make the point that women aren't FORCED to cover up if they ARE being forced to cover up. And I meant to say WHITE CHRISTIAN FEMALE, sorry.

Regardless I feel bad for the women that must do that Read "Not without my daughter", its based on a true story where the woman was tricked into visiting Saudia Arabia and was basically kidnapped by her husband who was from there and forced to dress like them and forced to adapt to their culture, and noone could help her because if she left her daughter would have to stay over there and she would never have let that happen. She was beaten and raped and everyone just looked the other way and said the man had the right to do that. It was disgusting.

Lenghthen

I'm just glad that America doesn't force us to where certain clothing. I am seriously grateful for that.

CrAZyBeAuTiFuL4

Like Adeel said, if they're not doing it for the right reasons then they shouldnt be doing it. He explained what it says in the Muslim religion about covering oneself and WHY they are to cover oneself. But as in any religion, you have different groups who interpret things differently...so I'm sure there are SOME Muslim families out there in which the wife is forced to act one way or another...but you'll have that with any religion, even here in the US with Christianity. As for someone in Saudia Arabia who is not Mulism having to dress as they do...I think it's only polite. Maybe not full-outfit of what the women over there wear, but definitely more conservative. You don't go into someone else's culture and expect them to adapt to you, you must adapt in some ways to the new culture.

PapRoach123

Hey I had never heard of that particular saying before. It's a good one. *adds to vocabulary*


In the end, it doesn't matter who you are. They simply say that if you refuse to adjust to their culture, than please just go back to where you came from and happily practice your own culture where it's appreciated.

The thing is that we are taught about multi-cultural societies and in it giving every type of individual their own rights and their own priviledges. However, not every country is a multi-cultural society. A lot of people make the mistake in thinking that such makes us the more advanced or the better developed society, and that it's okay for us to bring our ways with us wherever we go. But the truth is we're just different, not better. The moment we arrive there, they will teach us their ways and we best accept or turn around and leave.


What a despicable guy that must be to lure her away from her own culture for THAT...

GrgotSlave

Actually, I saw the movie for "Not Without My Daughter" and had alot of problems with the way they portrayed Islam and the culture. It's was a fictional story, they overexagerrated everything so much that they wanted you to hate the culture, that's what I got from it. I mean seriously, if I was some outsider watching that movie, I would have so many misinterpretations of that type of culture. Don't judge another culture or religion based on some book, because if you really want to know what the religion teaches, go to the sources: The Qur'an, The Sunnah (sayings and actions of The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), and Islamic scholars. Ofcourse I think what they did in that movie was horrible, it was despicable and only a cruel, horrible person would do something like that.

Jess, do yourself a favor and talk to these Muslim women who wear these types of clothing. Ask them why they wear it and how happy they are to wear it. Have you ever heard of Yvonne Ridley? The undercover "journalist" who went to Saudi Arabia wearing their clothing to investigate what was going on there. The Taliban captured her and she was set to be stoned to death but they released her once she promised them she would learn about Islam. Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying ANYTHING about the Taliban, so don't go there. I'm saying this because Yvonne Ridley thought the Qur'an had procedures on how to beat your wife, how men are superior etc... She went and actually read the Qur'an being shocked and suprised. She liked what she read so much that she actually ended up becoming a Muslim herself. If you care, here's an interview with her where she explains everything clearly. The interview itself is an hour long but just watch the first twenty minutes and you should be satisfied:

http://turntoislam.com/index.php?opt...11&Item id=27

When people actually get to know these Muslim women who wear these clothing out of their own will, it amazes them at how happy these women are to wear the Hijab. These women are so attached to Islam that they're even willing to go out into the scorching heat wearing the clothing that they do. Surely, no one would be so firm in their belief if the religion wasn't just.

You know, everyone sits there saying all this crap about Saudi Arabia because they make thier women cover themselves. What about the other things? When it's time to pray (and remember, Muslims pray 5 times a day), the store keepers don't even lock or close their doors, they leave their doors wide open because Saudi Arabia is such a peaceful country, that even when it's citizens are given the chance to sin, they stay away from it. How many people here in the West would jump at that opportunity and take everything they could? In Saudi Arabia, the citizens get that chance five times a day but they stay away from doing such a thing because they know the right from the wrong and they choose to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. If such a country is that peaceful, look at the US. Because really, getting the chance to show off your muscles, boobs and ass is the biggest joy, justice and freedom anyone could every have.

Actually Stinger, Saudi Arabia is one of THE MOST multi-cultural societies you will ever encounter. When Muslim go to Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage, you'll see every type of nationality, color, race etc... That's exactly the reason Malcolm X entered into Islam. When he went to perform the pilgrimage, everyone was treated equally no matter where they are from. Here's a letter he wrote about the diversity and multi-culturalism in Saudi Arabia:

http://turntoislam.com/index.php?opt...08&Item id=55

PapRoach123

Oh I don't know much about that, so that should be an interesting read. I wasn't really having any specific country in mind though.

But in a multi-cultural society, surely nobody is being forced into anything, am I right? So then this specific country would not fit my description, meaning something about it being mentioned in the thread somewhere doesn't stroke? Forgive me, I haven't read everything written in the thread.

Lenghthen

All I meant by that Adeel, was that I like to be able to wear what I want. That for me, personally, it wouldn't sit well with me if I had to dress like everyone else. I didn't mean that in an offensive way. I was saying it for me. Not speaking for anyone else.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Thats interesting about your sister Adeel. I have heard comments like that, They probably feel cooler (if the fabric is so light) in comparison to other heavier fabrics that we might wear.

BraveGirl

The thing is that when you wear skimpy clothing people tend to give you the wrong type of attention, I know for a fact once when I was younger I wore a short dress and went to a party. I wanted to be noticed because at the time none of my friends EVER saw me in a dress until that night and I regret it because it definately gave me the wrong attention and I think that thats all it is.
I also think that entertainment has a 'SEX SELLS' thing and some girls pick up on that and think they need to wear small things to get noticed but it's really giving people the wrong impression of you and they just think you are easy.