Tudung/Burqa: Women should have a choice

Arabian women are beautiful. Arguably the most beautiful in the world, except for Aishwarya Rai of course.

They have flawless skin, beautiful big expressive eyes and sharp features, and are just a joy to look at. So it's a real pity that most of them hide behind veils.

If Arab women were allowed to participate in beauty contests, the rest of the world needn't bother sending in their contestants.

If only women made the rules in the world, not men ...

I wonder why the men have imprisoned women behind those thick black burqas. Who are they trying to protect the women from? Lecherous men? If that was the case, why are incidents of rape and adultery still occurring? It's men that are the perpetrators, these men are the ones who should be punished. Those who can't get a woman will rape young boys instead. So why aren't young boys put in burqas for their own protection as well?

You say that the Quran has stipulated that women's aurat should be covered. Well, that doesn't include the face and hands. Why cover them up entirely and reduce them to the status of objects?

Some cover up to protect themselves from dust and sand. OK, well and good. What about in good weather? What about when they are visiting a foreign country?

Women should be given the choice to clothe themselves as they see fit. They should be able to run their lives as they choose to, answering to nobody but the Almighty for their behaviour. Men are given that choice, and not all choose to live a noble life. Why take that choice away from women?

Yes, men are supposed to protect women. But do not imprison the women under the guise of providing that protection.

I get really frustrated when I hear about people forcing women to wear the tudung or the burqa. I hear that in public universities in Malaysia, girls are ostracised if they do not don the headscarf. Peer pressure is such that girls will succumb to it and cover up, but that doesn't mean they live a pious life.

On the contrary, some start to rebel. And at nights, off comes the tudung, on come the skimpy clothes, and off they go to the most happening nightclub to dance and drink the night away. Come morning, they are once again demure and modestly clad.

Compare this to a woman who doesn't wear a tudung, but prays five times a day and fulfills her duties and obligations. She doesn't have any vices and is a wonderful daughter, sister, wife and mother. Is she less of a Muslim just because she doesn't cover her hair?

My opinion is that no man, being a mortal, should pronounce judgment on a woman for living her life the way she wants to (criminal activities being an exception of course).

Only God has that right.

If Muslim women did not want to wear the burqa/tudung, fine. Let them be (like this woman). Conversely, if they wanted to wear it, let them wear it. Do not take away that right from them as has happened in this case and this case.

Till next time, this is Kucing Gatal signing out with a stand-up-for-women's-rights Meow.