Today, in my way back from the gym, I saw some covered women, as normal here, but this time they reminded me the Saint of Fatima, that 100 years ago, performed the miracle of the sun, in the sky of Portugal. Not because they looked saints, but because they were fully covered in white, the same way the Saint of Fatima, only showing face and hands.
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| Saint Fatima |
..then I remembered that the nuns also cover themselves the same way.. But in black and white.
It made think.. why is that? What have they in common?
Obviously, they are all religious. They are dressed to please and respect their God.
How should women dress according their religions?
So, I made a quick research about what the Bible and Koran say concerning what the woman should wear.
Regarding the Koran I found these links:
Quron 24:31 - "And tell the believing women to reduce of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which appears thereof and to wrap their head covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to God in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. "
Quron 33:59 - "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused."
For what I could understand, women should dress modestly, non-attractive or provocative. In order to achieve this, they should wear the outer garments.
When I looked into the Bible I found the following links:
I could not find nothing objective on this subject. I could only read that women should dress respectfully and modestly. Not using elaborated hairstyles, gold, pearls or expensive clothes.
It's also says that women should not dress as men and the opposite. It is mentioned, as well, that woman should cover her hair for praying.
Well, It depends of what is respectful and modest for each person.
So, why for religious people, covering the whole body is synonymous of religiousness?
If we go back to the times of the islamic messenger, we realize that the way jordanian people are dressing, now, is similar to what people used to dress in that times.
Muslims are following the prophet Muhammad's life style, as role model until today. The hijab is, therefore, a tradition with centuries.
But, as we know, times changed so much since the Koran was written. Fashion changed so much... Should people consider that and adapt to our times?
Or God wouldn't want people to change their clothing, regardless, the time? Would God be offended by the way people dress? Does it make the believers less religious?
I can't obviously know.
I can't obviously know.
God's clothing code purpose seems to be to avoid promiscuity, adultery, pregnancy out of marriage, sex crimes and most importantly to make men respect women.
The intention should be to value the women beside their sexual image and to protect them against obscene thoughts and sexual assault.
The Hijab
Jordan, as a muslim country, every respectful muslim women should dress accordingly the Koran.
The traditional Hijab that is mentioned in the Koran is a type of cloak covering the head and reaching to the ground.
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| Today's hijab |
Here,in Jordan, is used, generally, as a head scarf.
For what I have seen here, many of the muslims women cover the hair but wears revealing tight clothes from western brands and high heels. So why covering the hair when showing the body?
Another thing that I noticed is that women wear lots of make up, especially the ones who wears the hijab...
So, what's the point of wearing this veil? Covering the hair but attracting male attention by clothing and make up... Wearing the veil but being sensual anyway..
So, what's the point of wearing this veil? Covering the hair but attracting male attention by clothing and make up... Wearing the veil but being sensual anyway..
There are countries where women feel pressured to dress in a certain way, like Saudi Arabia.
But, in countries like Jordan, that is culturally modernized; religious more permissive; where there is no governmental clothing regulations; where women can freely choose wearing hijab or not, it's difficult to understand why they are doing this...
They are, certainly, not forced by a conservative and religious family. Because if they were, their family would never allow them to wear tight cloths and lots of makeup with hijab. After all, wearing hijab is supposed to be a symbol of religiousness and modesty.
But, in countries like Jordan, that is culturally modernized; religious more permissive; where there is no governmental clothing regulations; where women can freely choose wearing hijab or not, it's difficult to understand why they are doing this...
They are, certainly, not forced by a conservative and religious family. Because if they were, their family would never allow them to wear tight cloths and lots of makeup with hijab. After all, wearing hijab is supposed to be a symbol of religiousness and modesty.
It might be the concern of making the right impression among their tribe and community.
According to their culture, a woman is believed to be more respectable by using the hijab in public. For the eastern mentality It is a symbol of purity, good morals, good practices, decency and religiousness. So, wearing a hijab will help to get a husband.
Anyway, why covering the hair is so important? Why is the hair so sexualized in Jordan and in the muslim world?
According to their culture, a woman is believed to be more respectable by using the hijab in public. For the eastern mentality It is a symbol of purity, good morals, good practices, decency and religiousness. So, wearing a hijab will help to get a husband.
Anyway, why covering the hair is so important? Why is the hair so sexualized in Jordan and in the muslim world?
Westernization of Jordan
Women, here, are definitely thirsty to look western, but we may have to blame the globalization, westernization, the capitalism, the multinational brands and their marketing that are destroying cultures around the world...
Anyway, these countries are the ones that are allowing the western products to enter.
They are buying the franchising of the multinationals; their cinemas are buying the american movies; they are advertising international actors and singers in their national Tv channels and magazines..
They are buying the franchising of the multinationals; their cinemas are buying the american movies; they are advertising international actors and singers in their national Tv channels and magazines..
They are definitely looking for the west..and the west don't say no to any market..
Probably, in a closer future, Jordanian women will totally adopt and follow the western fashion clothing, as the majority of the young Jordanian men, already, did it.
Pictures:
http://clipart-library.com/picture-of-nun.html
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Hijab-Fashionably