18012009

Women like me embrace hijabs | The Daily Telegraph

THE moment that Brisbane broadcaster Michael Smith realised his child had been frightened by a woman who was wearing a burqa, he had two options.

He could have explained that this was how some women dress because of their beliefs and there was nothing to fear. The woman may even have been happy to say a few kind words to the child, to help out.

He chose to take the other option, one which doesn't require the effort of putting himself in someone else's shoes, as Atticus Finch would have said.

One more likely to cause division.

On the positive side, he has provided yet another opportunity for robust debate, for people to voice their concerns and come to a more common understanding.

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Mr Smith uses the word "hijab" (a head scarf and loose clothing) when he means "niqab" (covering of the face, called the burqa in South Asia).

Many Muslim women around the world have embraced the hijab, including me.

It represents not only an act of worship but also a freedom from the tyranny of constantly being judged by their physical and sexual attractiveness.

Non-Muslims often don't realise how liberating it is to not worry about your clothes, your hair, your make-up, your weight, your wrinkles, your bra size, your cellulite.

Hijab teaches us that our inner beauty is more worthy of our effort and attention.

The niqab is much less common, but is worn even by some Australian women.

There is often an assumption that the niqab is worn as a result of force. That may be true in a couple of countries overseas, and in those cases it is reprehensible, but it's unlikely to be that way in this country.

It's hard to understand why the niqab is interpreted as offensive. It does not signify violent, criminal or racist overtones - as do Nazi insignia, white-supremacist tattoos or gang patches.

Some may see it as a symbol of the oppression of women, but in this country most women are choosing to dress this way because they believe neither their bodies nor their faces are public property.

The security concerns, however, are understandable. Yet the burqa is so conspicuous and bulky that getting away would be extremely difficult. I haven't heard of a single case of an Australian criminal wearing a burqa.

Nonetheless, the niqab is considered compulsory by only a minority, and even they generally accept that her face should be uncovered during prayer, pilgrimage, when conducting financial transactions, when giving testimony, and other such situations.

Since there are allowances, it should be a simple matter of working through the issues where security is paramount.

The more difficult matter is creating an environment where little children don't have to be afraid, because we adults have taken the trouble to understand each other.

Anjum Rahman is a founding member of the Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand