Let’s examine why someone would think that. Most likely it is because of the Muslim Women’s head covering. So, that thinking tells us that the more clothes a woman takes off, the more liberated she is. Therefore, according to this belief, the most liberated women on planet earth are pornography models.
To a Muslim woman liberation is to be respected, not molested. A Muslim woman’s beauty is seen by her female friends, her children, her near relatives, and her husband. The only people that don’t see her beauty are strange men, who might try and take advantage of her.The covering of Muslim women has become one of the international symbols of female oppression in feminist circles.
There are two major trends which have developed in the West over the past century. On one hand, the fashion industry has systematically unclothed women. From being fully clothed from head to toe at the turn of the century, they now wears virtually nothing when the weather permits.On the other hand, there has been a dramatic rise in the reported incidents of rape. In North America, in the early 90s the reported incidents of rape had crossed the 100,000 mark. And researchers estimated that the actual number was between 7 to 10 times that number since most women are shy to report rapes. The two trends are closely interrelated.
The woman in the West has become a sex-object with which to sell products thereby pumping up the sexual tension of the society. The Corvette is not sold based on its powerful engine or its special features, instead the car is displayed with a model in a bikini lying on it. Similarly, a new Gillette razor blade is not sold by giving details about its new titanium blades. Instead, a man is shown in ads shaving with a woman’s hand with long red fingernails coiled around holding his. The subliminal message being taught is: You buy the car, you get the girl. You buy the razor, you get the girl.
Islam prescribes the covering of females for two primary reasons stated in the Qur’an. God says in Chapter “al-Ahzaab” (33:59) :
“Let them cast their outer garments over their bodies. That is best in order that they be known and not harmed.”
The hijab also is to make the Muslim woman known in the society as a virtuous and honorable woman. Her hijab makes the statement that she is not available and not interested in any advances. Many Muslim women who have emigrated to the West take of their scarves and outer garments because they claim it draws attention to themselves. If they expose their hair and dress in modest western dresses no one will look at them.
It is true that the hijab does provide a level of anonymity, as many of the woman’s physical details will be hidden. However, the intent is not to prevent men from looking. When men see a nun in her habit, fully covered like a Muslim woman in full hijab, they will turn their heads and stare at her. Similarly, when they see a woman walking in a bikini, they will also turn their heads and stare. However, the first stare is different from the second. The first is out of curiosity, having seen something unusual, while the second is out of lust and aroused sensuality. The consequence of those 2 looks are quiet different.
The penalty in a country such as Saudi Arabia is very severe for rape in order to further guarantee protection for females. Where weapons of any type are used in the rape, the punishment is death. The death penalty has also been introduced in Philippines and it is being called for in India currently. However, to allow women to expose themselves and then kill those who react unduly is not practical. The law should be balanced. The circumstances, which might encourage rape, should first be removed from the society, then a severe penalty may be enacted.
It may be said that even in societies where women are fully covered, they may still be approached and molested. However, if the vast majority of those who are molested are not properly covered, the principle of protection still applies. Even in the society of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), 1400 years ago, some women were molested and raped.
The West has set its own limits for dress which change according to the mood of society. At one point in time, strip joints were illegal. Now many bars have topless waitresses and dancers. In most states, a woman may not appear in public topless. However, a woman recently contested the law in Florida and won her case. Complete nudity remains public crime throughout the West, though nudist camps and nudist beaches have sprung up in different locations in Europe and North America.
