Christine Benlafquih's Blog

Posted by Christine Benlafquih

My personal thanks to the Boston Globe for publishing absolutely stunning photos of Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2008. Muslims will likely be moved to tears by some of the images, but those of different faiths will get a glimpse of the unifying power of Islam, as well as the diversity of Muslims worldwide.

Also take a look at the Globe's images of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2008.

Posted by Christine Benlafquih

A new UK-based Islamic lifestyle magazine, Sal.am, is set to launch in December with both print and online copies. According to the publication's web site, Sal.am aims to both broaden understanding of Islam within the Muslim community, and serve as a media platform for Muslims.

Unlike some of its competition, which assume the reader has a precursory knowledge of Islam, the editors at Sal.am hope that the editorial style of their magazine will appeal to diverse Muslims of varying degrees of practice. Preaching with lots of Arabic terms and references is not a goal; addressing religious and lifestyle issues is.

A quick look at the web site shows a very professional start-up effort. They haven't missed a beat, and already have established a presence on a number of social networking sites.

As a writer, I was interested in learning more, and was pleased to receive a prompt response to my inquiry as well as helpful editorial guidelines.

Print subscriptions are free to UK residents; other subscribers will receive free access to the online edition. Visit the Sal.am website to subscribe and learn more details.

Posted by Christine Benlafquih

Muslim women who observe various forms of Islamic dress in the West frequently get asked about why they "have" to dress the way they do. Sometimes people are genuinely curious, and other times they're a bit confrontational. Take as example the following comment left by someone who read What is Hijab?:

"I respect your belief but, as a woman, find this concept (and the Koran) demeaning to women. How dare we be told to 'cover up.' Do you ever wonder why the men don't?"

Although the woman feels strongly about this, she's made three wrong assumptions:

1. Women are demeaned because Muslim men don't observe a dress code or guidelines for modesty.
2. Dressing modestly and covering the hair are demeaning to women.
3. The Qur'an is demeaning to women.

First, men do have guidelines for dress and modesty. Definition of Hijab for Muslim Men and Modesty (Haya) in Islam delve into that a little.

Second, I am not sure how a woman's protecting herself from lewd looks or dressing in a way which suggests that she is religious and has high morals is demeaning. Anything but!

Third, Allah (God ) is above giving demeaning directives in any of the revealed scriptures. Consider the fact that many Orthodox Jewish women -- and a growing number of Christian women -- wear long, loose clothing and cover their hair because they believe it is a religious obligation. Look at the depictions of the Virgin Mary and the habit of a nun.

So, why has God commanded women to dress modestly and not display themselves? In the Qur'an, God commands women to draw their outer garments around them because: "That is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle." (Surah al-Ahzab: 59)

"Recognized and not annoyed" -- that doesn't sound demeaning to me! God asks women to observe modest dress so they are identified as Muslim and protected from lustful looks and improper advances.

Sadly, many women in the West have come to base much of their worth on how appealing they are to the opposite sex. This has carried over to the Muslim world where many Muslim women who don't observe hijab actually dress quite provocatively -- even more so than their Western counterparts. Shorter hemlines and tighter, revealing clothes have become equated with progress and women's liberation. Women have closed their eyes to the fact that their breasts, hair, legs, figures, skin, faces -- and therefore women themselves -- are exploited.

Note that men's bodies are rarely exploited. It's almost always women. The reason is simple. Men take greater sexual pleasure in looking at women than the other way around. It makes sense, then, that God commands women to cover to a greater degree than men.

But, God has given us free will. If a woman feels comfortable or liberated by dressing less modestly in public than others, so be it. If her husband or father and brother don't mind that other men might look at her with sexual desire, there's not much point in arguing with them.

I will argue, however, that an Islamic dress code which encourages modesty and helps uphold a moral society is anything but demeaning.