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The Science Behind the Veil (Hijab)

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Topic: The Science Behind the Veil (Hijab)
Posted By: Ukhti S.
Subject: The Science Behind the Veil (Hijab)
Date Posted: 09 May 2010 at 2:48am
Bismillahi Ar Rahmani Ar Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful
 
The Science behind the Veil (Hijaab)
 
     The moral duty of wearing the veil in Islam is an often-discussed topic among Muslim women. However, little has been written about scientific reasons that the veil is beneficial for society. There are, in fact, a number of health benefits that wearing the veil can provide, as well as many behavioral science studies that suggest that the veil is the best attire for women.
 
     Protecting the head is very important from a Protecting the head is very important from a health  perspective. Results of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head, so persons wearing head coverings during cold months are protected about fifty-percent more than those who do not.
     Chinese and Muslim medical texts take this concept even further. In the Hua Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor�s Classic on Internal Medicine), wind is said to cause sudden changes within the body, and shaking, swaying, and other movements that potentially upset the body�s equilibrium; thus, creating bad health. These texts attribute the common cold to wind elements entering the body and causing the typical symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose.
     In the traditional Islamic medical texts of Al-Jawziyya, we can find numerous references to the "four elements" of fire, water, air, and earth, and how these affect the body in adverse ways. In particular, we are advised to stay away from drafts and to protect our heads in wind, breezes, drafts, and cold weather. All outdoor workers should wear some sort of head covering for this reason.
     Protecting the head is even more important in warm weather. V.G. Rocine, a prominent brain research specialist, has found that brain phosphorus melts at 108 degrees; a temperature that can be easily reached if one stays under the hot sun for any length of time without a head covering. When this happens, irreversible brain damage, memory loss and loss of some brain functions can result. Although this example is extreme, brain damage can still be measured in small degrees from frequent exposure to and overheating of the head. Bernard Jensen, a naturopath and chiropractor, states that this is because the brain runs on the mineral phosphorus, which is very effected by heat.
     Last, but not least, a veil or head covering should be worn by all public workers serving society to ensure cleanliness and purity. Workers in a number of professions wear "veils" - nurses, fast food workers, deli counter workers, restaurant workers and servers, doctors, health care providers, and many more. In fact, when we compare the number of workers who cover their heads to the number who do not, we find that more people probably cover their heads than do not.
     Aside from personal and public health benefits of the veil, it has numerous other benefits to society. In Analyzing Visual Data, Ball and Smith discuss the acknowledgement of sociologists that visual representations are influential in shaping people's views of the world and their interpretations of life. Men use visual data to interpret their relationships with the women around them.
     Many studies have found that when a person tries to rewire their instinctual perceptions, they are usually only rewired on the surface; their original perceptions still exist on some level. Brain studies show that we exist in a world of constantly varying light variables that force the brain to perform what is called "lateral inhibition;" consequently, it provides us with a "steady" image as opposed to a "true" image of what we see. Furthermore, lateral inhibition networks operate as part of the "unconscious" brain; largely, without providing any information to the "conscious" part of the brain about what they are doing. Therefore, the brain can provide varying perceptions of the world without our even being fully conscious of what it is processing.
     Further studies cited in Encyclopedia Britannica show that how a female presents herself to society falls under the category of ritualized behavior through which animals provide specific information to other animals, usually members of its own species. Virtually all higher animals, including humans, use displays to some extent to do this, and the best-known displays are visual ones. Some biologists actually restrict the term display to refer to visual signals or gestures. These visual signals, which in animals can be simply a bright color or plume, encourage attraction. In humans, they are usually exhibited in ornamental hair, make up, or clothing.
     In our society, most of the time attractive hairstyles and clothing are worn for the purpose of making the adorner more attractive (advertising and television have institutionalized this reality). The ever-changing variations in fashion tend to affect the brain because it typically has trouble constantly adjusting to changing shadows and forms in the world. Reasonably then, through "lateral inhibition," the brain automatically simplifies these images into the unconscious message that attractive hair and clothing are MEANT to attract. Joining these two concepts together, we can see how the human male could receive the signal of "attraction" from the brain before he has enough time to "block" it by "lowering his gaze."
     Having to re-form an image already processed by the lateral inhibition network is a cause of stress for most people. Doing this day after day, after seeing many "displays," potentially causes a great cumulative stress on society.
     In early times, stress caused the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an outpouring of the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucocorticoids that were essential to the life-preserving fight or flight reactions of primitive man. However, the nature of stress for individuals living today is different. It is only occasionally that one is confronted with unexpected, overwhelming, life-threatening stresses.
     Present day stresses arise from many things; among these are the vast amounts of visual and physical input we are bombarded with in this "information age" of personal freedom. The problem we face in this is that the body still continues to respond in the same fashion as during primitive times, releasing large amounts of these hormones, which can be very harmful. They can cause an increase in blood pressure, damage muscle tissue, lead to infertility, inhibit growth, damage the hippocampus, and suppress the immune system.
     The two most effective solutions to this problem are, first, to convince the advertising industry, and society as a whole, to alter the presentation of women to our males. The second and more viable way is to simply influence women to dress modestly, which will help ensure that they do not send inappropriate visual signals to men.
     Covering the hair can also have a beneficial effect on the female psyche as well. Studies of women being interviewed for jobs show that there is a high correlation between what they wear and their perceptions of how successful they will be in their interviews.
     There are many more examples of how what we wear can influence how we act. Wearing a veil can serve to remind women of their religious duties and behavioral expectations. It can also serve as a reminder to women that we are not only individuals, but also representatives and diplomats of our "Ummah".
 
By Karima Burns (IslamOnline.net)


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Allah is my Support, the Qur'an and Sunnah is my Guide and the Paradise is my Goal!



Replies:
Posted By: Matt Browne
Date Posted: 01 June 2010 at 3:28am
Because of all of these benefits, Muslim men should wear the veil too, right?



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A religion that's intolerant of other religions can't be the world's best religion --Abdel Samad
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people--Eleanor Roosevelt


Posted By: Ukhti S.
Date Posted: 01 June 2010 at 1:14pm
Bismillahi Ar Rahmani Ar Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful
 
Originally posted by Matt Browne Matt Browne wrote:

Because of all of these benefits, Muslim men should wear the veil too, right?

 
Hi Matt,
 
If you have seen men from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Kuwait, Dubai etc you have most probably seen that they wear a "veil". And if you look at men in the Masjid (Mosque), then you'll also most probably see men wear something like a hat on their head.
 
If you come to deep religion and the understanding of it, then there's a difference between the veil of a woman and the veil of a man.
 
Take Care!
Kind regards,
Ukhti S.


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Allah is my Support, the Qur'an and Sunnah is my Guide and the Paradise is my Goal!


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 01 June 2010 at 1:35pm
Originally posted by Matt Browne Matt Browne wrote:

Because of all of these benefits, Muslim men should wear the veil too, right?

If men are physically much much weaker than women, which is contrary to the nature I know, then yes. And if wearing a veil and bangals would make a man appear handsome in some way -_-


Posted By: Matt Browne
Date Posted: 05 June 2010 at 8:06am
Science requires critical thinking. The results of scientific findings should be open and not what we'd like them to be, because of certain beliefs. A good example is evolution.

In general, headgear such as hats, caps, helmets, veils, and turbans serve different purposes. One is protection (against impact, cold, heat, rain and other precipitation, glare, sunburn, sunstroke, dust, contaminants, ...).

Another is to keep hair contained or tidy. This was more important in the past, because shampoo didn't exist and soap was expensive.

There's also the purpose of social conventions. Symbols, rituals and dress codes strengthen social bonds. The article above promotes a particular social, cultural, or religious convention, trying to use science in an one-sided biased way. It doesn't show the whole picture. Just to give you one example in terms of health benefits: The average life expectancy of a woman in Japan is 81.6 years (no veil). In Saudi Arabia which is also a rich country it is 75.3 years (veil or niqab). In Yemen it is 64.3 (veil). In Afghanistan it is 43.8 (veil or burqa). In fact, chadors, niqabs and burqas are a severe health risk, because the human skin requires sunlight for example to metabolize vitamin D. Lack of direct sunlight actually increases the rate of depression significantly.

In my opinion, a woman can be a good Muslim whether she wears a veil or not. Whether she wears a chador, a niqab, a burka or not.  It should be an individual choice without the use of rules or peer pressure. And never ever should a man force his wife to wear a dress she doesn't want to wear.




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A religion that's intolerant of other religions can't be the world's best religion --Abdel Samad
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people--Eleanor Roosevelt


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 05 June 2010 at 2:18pm
And that'd be cuz you're looking at it from the wrong perspective. This article is nothing but an implication of the scientific side of the many pros of wearing the veil. Some of the stuff relating to fashion might sound odd but I don't see how the scientific side would be 'one sided'.
Hmmm, you say both sides of a scientific explanation must be exposed. Agreed. So, any scientific disadvantages of weiring a veil come to your mind? Do share 'em.

"In my opinion, a woman can be a good Muslim whether she wears a veil or not. Whether she wears a chador, a niqab, a burka or not.  It should be an individual choice without the use of rules or peer pressure. And never ever should a man force his wife to wear a dress she doesn't want to wear."

^Yeh, and I don't think anyone denied it. Lemme remind you, Islam is the last religion which would literally force a person to follow its morales. And definitely, intentions in Islam matter more, only if your inside is true to God that's what comes first. Though, I don't see how this goes with the topic at hand, i.e. the lesser known advantages of wearing a Hijab.


Posted By: Gibbs
Date Posted: 06 June 2010 at 10:01am
I agree with Matt there really is no significant scientific difference between a veil and a baseball cap.


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 06 June 2010 at 1:21pm
"there really is no significant scientific difference between a veil and a baseball cap."

Except it wouldn't really be clever to wear a baseball cap everywhere to prevent being looked at as a sex object, which is the primary reason for the Hijaab. Smile


Posted By: Matt Browne
Date Posted: 08 June 2010 at 7:17am
If people want to promote the veil, they should do it for cultural reasons, not scientific reasons.

If people want to promote science, they should argue against chadors, niqabs and burqas, because of the health risks. In addition these face-hiding garments impair human communication because our brains depend on facial language (in particular the so-called mirror neurons). There's a whole section of the brain just devoted to recognizing faces and facial expressions. Because it's beneficial for human beings.

Dehumanizing people by taking their faces away is wrong in my opinion. Veils are fine if women want to wear them. But a veil is not required to prevent women from being looked at as a sex object, because this is the problem of ignorant and foolish men. If anyone has to change it's the men, not the women. When I look at women I see human beings, not sex objects. Good parenting is required to raise boys so that they become mature men.




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A religion that's intolerant of other religions can't be the world's best religion --Abdel Samad
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people--Eleanor Roosevelt


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 08 June 2010 at 11:07pm
If people want to promote veil, they simply explain the various benefits of it, which I don't see why can't be of several different aspects.

Especially when this is the veil that's being promoted, not science, lol. Science is just one aspect whose advantages are being elaboarated on.

Again, I did emphasize in my previous post that I don't one bit disagree with this fact. Its a right which women have, not a compulsion. Wearing or not wearing a veil is completely up to them, didn't I say I'm undeniably of the same opinion? However, I don't see how this goes with the topic at hand of explaining a few lesser known benefits of the Hijaab. Does this article force or strictly command women to wear a veil? Nope. Just don't see why this should be bought up then.
I'm glad you do so, and thankfully God has given me the sense to do so too, but unfortunately the rapists involved in countless rape cases don't.



Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 09 June 2010 at 2:46am
Originally posted by Matt Browne Matt Browne wrote:


If people want to promote science, they should argue against chadors, niqabs and burqas, because of the health risks.


What health risks? That is such an un-scientific thing to say.

If you want to look at it from a non-religious aspect, save for a few communities - many cultures all over the world have developed their own versions of hijab. Clothing evolved in such a way that ALMOST all cultures have some sort of head-covering or face-covering. Like you mentioned, cultures that don't have turbans or head-scarves have Hats - both for men & women. English women used to have hats that used to have veils hanging from them. Like a Sister mentioned before - EVEN men in some cultures cover their faces e.g. Arabs. Infact modest dress is similar for both men & women in many arab cultures. Notice how the arab Men will traditionally also dress in loose-fitted, long clothes. Many will not even uncover their arms !!  (wear half-sleeves). Same thing in Pakistan - traditionally men wear the exact same dress as women except that its less-fancy/decorated. (Shalwar Qameez).

So when some people will say that hijab is "sexist" or "suppressive"  - I think its because of their own narrow, limited approach.


Quote In addition these face-hiding garments impair human communication because our brains depend on facial language (in particular the so-called mirror neurons). There's a whole section of the brain just devoted to recognizing faces and facial expressions. Because it's beneficial for human beings.


No, Niqab doesn't really impair human communication. It depends on one's own perception.

However, if we do agree to what you said - in Islam, a woman is not required to, nor does she cover - in front of people she needs to have familiar communication with.

Her friends, family, relatives will see her face and thus there will be no barriers to communication. Hence in the situations where "facial expressions" are beneficial & encouraged, the barrier doesn't even exist. I don't see why a woman needs to have that same familiar bond/expression with a stranger, like a milk-man or the grocery-clerk or person XYZ. In Islam - a female's company is a privilege -  that has been given to those around her. It is not a God-Given right to the average person on the street who insists upon seeing my Face, simply because they are having a conversation with me based on necessity. That is rather presumptuous of the other person, and why do THEY get to decide how much of me they want to see, or is their "right" to see. (Saying this based on the arguments many people give, when supporting Bans on the Niqab).

Having said that - I don't agree on enforcing Niqab or making it compulsory. In Islam, it is the woman's choice alone to make that decision. It is not even considered an obligation (i.e. a compulsory act) by the majority of Scholars. But every Muslim woman should have that right - no matter where she lives.


Quote Dehumanizing people by taking their faces away is wrong in my opinion.


Calling it "dehumanizing" is a tad bit extreme. How is it dehumanizing ?

Take this forum for e.g. Most of us don't even know each others real names, forget faces. . . yet we don't have a problem relating to each other on a human-level. Many of the members here feel a "virtual" bond with each other based on sisterhood or brotherhood or similar mindsets etc. Yet most have them have probably never even met !!! We communicate fine, don't we ?

Many of us don't feel comfortable putting our actual pictures on their public profiles or networks - even on the Avatars here . . . we have a right to make that decision don't we ? Many of us don't do that because of the stranger-element, we don't WANT people to intrude upon our identity (be it facial or otherwise). Similarly take a Niqabi woman & the average stranger she comes across. She should have the same right, without having her decision be scrutinized or her motives questioned.

Quote But a veil is not required to prevent women from being looked at as a sex object, because this is the problem of ignorant and foolish men.
 If anyone has to change it's the men, not the women. When I look at women I see human beings, not sex objects. Good parenting is required to raise boys so that they become mature men.


Being a female I would disagree. It is actually not a problem of/for men ! It is a problem that effects me as a female directly ! Because the woman is the one being affected, not the men.

If only women had a radar that could actually differentiate b/w the perverts and the actual "mature men" you talk about. Thats not possible. Not all men are ignorant/foolish - but how do I differentiate as a female? If I want to avoid the attention of those men, what do I do ? When I go out in a crowded place full of men, I should rely on the men to do their part and keep their eyes/thoughts to themselves ? If only that was actually possible !!!

Naturally if I want to avoid those men I will have to cover up in front of ALL men since I cannot judge whose heart is pure and whose is not. Common sense would dictate that if I want to solve an issue effecting me - I take all the precautions on my side rather than expecting the other side to get magically get cured or do their part.

Yes, male attitudes NEED to change. But females should not let their own guard down and expect men to change or not behave the way they do . . . because she is the one losing out. NOT the man. There is a saying in the subcontinent "Whether the knife falls on the melon, or the melon falls on the knife, at the end it is the melon that is damaged". By damage here, I am implying a Woman's dignity or treatment as a sex-object.

Also, physical attraction to women is something that (almost) all men harbor, whether they be good mature men raised by nice parents - or not.  Hijab is also for that purpose - i.e. it tries to provide a shield for that naturally default, in-built attraction - so that when unrelated men & women meet, they can attend to the necessity at hand without any unwanted distractions. Thus helping the good/maturely raised men stay the way they are and repel the perverted ones too.

I have personally observed how men's attitudes differ starkly from when they interact with women observing hijab versus those that do not. And I'm not just talking about muslim men - non-muslims included.





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"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 09 June 2010 at 5:00pm
ZOMG Nawwwwwwwwwwwwww run, Wall of Texxxxxxxxxxttttttt!!

Jkn jkn, I enjoyed reading the entire post, it was great Big%20smile


Posted By: Hayfa
Date Posted: 10 June 2010 at 6:30am
Results of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head,

This is NOT accurate. This is a myth: See:

http://wildernessmedicinenewsletter.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/heat-loss-through-the-head-and-hypothermia/

and
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour



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When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi


Posted By: Hayfa
Date Posted: 10 June 2010 at 6:37am
If anyone has to change it's the men, not the women. When I look at women I see human beings, not sex objects. Good parenting is required to raise boys so that they become mature men.

Matt one one hand I agree with you. On the other hand, it hasn't happened yet. So if women wish to avoid it they can. There are (and probably  always will be) a certain percentage who belittle and disrespect women. Its great you want to raise your sons right. But Lots of "sons" are not being raised right.

And let's face it, even "good" men cannot help themselves. Men are quite visual creatures.


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When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi


Posted By: Gibbs
Date Posted: 11 June 2010 at 12:28pm
Now this is turning into a "battle of the sexes." As I mentioned before my lovely wife is a physician so majority of out discussions over dinner are mostly about work, and the hypotheticals of medicine, sickness, and cures.

With that being said I find that in matters of faith the subject of science and religion seems to be a double-edged sword. On one hand religious people say science lacks the methods of finding God because it cannot measure faith, and people of science say a similar argument but in opposite. However what is curious to me is how on one hand Muslims on this site say science doesn't know everything and one shouldn't believe in science wholeheartedly, yet one has no trouble using science to promote cultural/religious dress to legitimize the clothing.

As I mentioned before there is no significant scientific difference between Hijab and a baseball cap. In addition the flawed argument is that it protects women from men. If a man wanted to sexually assault a woman regardless of hijab or not he will if he has the opportunity. All the "veil" should be are just religious guidelines women follow as prescribe in their faith and nothing more. Because when you throw science in the mix you open up a door for people like myself that scrutinize that fact.



Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 11 June 2010 at 3:08pm
Originally posted by Gibbs Gibbs wrote:

On one hand religious people say science lacks the methods of finding God because it cannot measure faith, and people of science say a similar argument but in opposite.

Let me highlight the key point over here. (Which is true, science can only stand up to something finite.)

Originally posted by Gibbs Gibbs wrote:

However what is curious to me is how on one hand Muslims on this site say science doesn't know everything and one shouldn't believe in science wholeheartedly,

Contradiction much? I don't know if you deliberately changed the words entirely here or whether it was accidental. "Muslims say science doesn't know everything," either you've been misinformed with regards to it or its just a straight up lie. We don't deny scientific discoveries at all. Heck, we actually love to see how major discoveries were foretold in the Quran. The only thing we claim is that science has its limits, it can only measure upto something which is finite, and just not something beyond the limit. You very well knew and said it earlier, which I highlighted.

Originally posted by Gibbs Gibbs wrote:

yet one has no trouble using science to promote cultural/religious dress to legitimize the clothing.

Tch. Come on. Number one, I already told you Islam doesn't have a problem with scientific discoveries, might as well scratch the fact claiming we're using something which "we say doesn't know everything". Number two, I haven't yet understood at all, that what on earth is the problem with bringing out the scientific side of something. We're living in the world of science, nah? Then why the heck is it that much of a fuss if Hijaab's scientific side is explored on? (Whether they're all right or some right is another matter)

"using science to promote cultural/religious dress to legitimize the clothing."
^You sure that's the point of the thread? Think again. Once God tells me a type of dressing its legitimized enough for me. Again, the point of the thread is to try and think towards the possible scientific benefits of Hijaab, not to search reasons for legitimizing it. Nothing wrong in it, get over it.

Originally posted by Gibbs Gibbs wrote:

As I mentioned before there is no significant scientific difference between Hijab and a baseball cap.

K, I'll go ahead and assume about there being no scientific difference between a baseball cap and Hijaab. So? Again, for the thousandth time, that's only the additional, scientific side of the many benefits of the Hijaab. Does it change the fact that the primary objective of Hijaab is to prevent sexual provocation? Hell no. Baseball caps might have similar scientific traits as Hijaab but I bet it'd be a treat to watch women wear them around everywhere for Hijaab's basic purpose, lol.

Originally posted by Gibbs Gibbs wrote:

In addition the flawed argument is that it protects women from men. If a man wanted to sexually assault a woman regardless of hijab or not he will if he has the opportunity.

So that makes the Hijaab flawed? 
K, let me take a break. Break time <3. *Gets a kit kat*.

1> If a man goes to such an extent, its his wrong doing in the first place, how the heck can it be blamed on the Hijaab?
2> Men's desire to rape comes up when they get aroused, IMO. If women apply Hijaab and conduct themselves modestly as instructed, they avoid the major, major initiative which leads to rape. Common sense.
Yes, I agree there are always some jerks who go to any extent, but if you're gonna blame the Hijaab's concept due to this, then I'll have to go take another break and have another kit kat. Tongue

Peace Smile



Posted By: Gibbs
Date Posted: 11 June 2010 at 9:09pm
Ok Ace let me clear up some things. First, let me retract my statement on muslims and science statement. Let me say that Muslims on this forum (I want to localize it here to prevent generalization) have made statement across several threads criticizing contemporary science. Another ridiculous thread in this very category has also used bad information on cancer, I believe the thesis of that thread was how cancer is the body's natural defensive mechanism (which is wrong).

The point is some muslims are using bad information or are using information from other muslim sources that are anti-secular. In addition, I was trying to make the point that you cannot (or should not) criticize contemporary science and its discoveries and in the same breath talk about the "science of the Quran."

I believe embryology as discussed in the Quran is amazing, but I doubt the people at that time understood embryology as we understand it now. Besides embryology was discussed before Muhammad (see Aristotle).

As far as my comments go on discussing hijab I'm not entirely against it per say, I just see no reason to say how something which is basically a culture/religious custom has scientific value. I mean, no disrespect to the author of this thread its just that most things have some scientific value, hell I can make a thread on the scientific value of having blinds in your home.

Moving on I want to address the comment on Hijab and men. First off I think a lot of times some Muslims are misinformed on rape and sexual assault as many non-westerners get their information from movies or what they see in magazines. First off rape is not about sexual arousal its about power and the opportunity to dominate. I'm sure before the ousting of the taliban women who wore burkas were raped. I'm sure women in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere were raped. I'm willing to be that you don't see much record of it is because rape victims don't report the crimes for many reasons. Most likely because the "woman's honor" has been tampered. My point is you can't stop men from looking. Hell you can wear a friggin bed sheet over yourself but the point is that it is my assumption that the hijab was to control (not prevent) misconduct between men and women.

.


Posted By: Hayfa
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 3:25am
Gibbs I agree with you. (it happens lol Smile)

If someone says "science proves" and you aske for the actual study, it  should be available. 

Rape is about power and control. And one must have the opportunity to act upon as well.  If you live in a gender segregated society, whether someone has ill-intentions or not, they must be given opportunity. Hard to do if you are only around men if in a family, thre are ALWAYS people around. Plus I read from sisters, in places like Egypt, women in hijab get sexually harassed.

And in the west where sex is quite accessible, we have plenty of rape. Why? They can get sex. Why would a good- looking college man drug and rape a woman? He can get sex. Why do that? That is a twisted mind with opportunity.


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When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi


Posted By: Hayfa
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 3:38am
Men's desire to rape comes up when they get aroused, IMO. If women apply Hijaab and conduct themselves modestly as instructed, they avoid the major, major initiative which leads to rape.

No that is not actually true. People can get arousal from different assumptions / thoughts of women. Some people get arousal thinking of a woman afraid. You have to realize the average rapist, rapes 17 times before they are caught. Most rapes are thought-out endeavors. Its not, I see woman, grab and rape. They do all types of things to control, study analyze, the woman. The crime IS associated with opportunity. Not dress code.

A student in a self-defense class was sexual assaulted in the elevator in her building. She was coming home from work, got into an elevator with a bad person. She could have been wearing something or nothing and it would not have mattered.

XX: it is all culturally constructed. I have seen women  that dress less " respectfully" by Islamic standards who are less likely to be victims of rape. Why? Because of the way they carry themselves in THIS society.  They are assertive, they come across  as "strong".  And I see women in full hijab who are at far greater risk because bu the view of men they are seen as "weak." When they showed clips of women walking to men who are in prison for assault they picked out  the same  women- by the way they walked and carried themselves. 

It is not how you dress, but whether you are viewed as  a "victim." I have taught self-defense for over 15 years. And I have met quiet and sweet young women. And yet they had an inner strong core. They were less likely to get into a bad situation then say a quiet meet person who could be taken advantage of.


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When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi


Posted By: Matt Browne
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 6:17am
Hi Chrysalis,

Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin for good reason. During exposure to sunlight, the utraviolet B photons enter the skin and photolyze 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 which in turn is isomerized by the body's temperature to vitamin D3. Most humans have depended on sun for their vitamin D requirement.

Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more. So when outside not all of our skin should be covered or always layered with powerful sunblockers at all times.

Facial expressions are a form of nonverbal communication. They are a primary means of conveying social information among humans. There are seven universally recognized emotions shown through facial expressions: fear, anger, surprise, contempt, disgust, happiness, and sadness. Regardless of culture, these expressions are the same.

Face perception is the process by which the brain and mind understand and interpret the human face. Mirror neurons help humans understand goals and intentions of other humans and many researchers argue that the mirror neuron system is involved in empathy. The human face's proportions and expressions are important to identify origin, emotional tendencies, health qualities, and some social information. From birth, faces are important in the individual's social interaction. Face perceptions are very complex as the face expressions involve vast involvement of areas in the brain. Sometimes damaged parts of the brain can cause specific impairments in understanding faces or prosopagnosia (Source: Wikipedia).

Again, there's no problem for women wearing a veil either as a symbol for religion or to keep the head warm in winter.

There is a problem with face veils and moderate Muslim women should come up with creative strategies to make this unfortunate tradition disappear. Face-hiding garments are wrong except when walking to the south pole. Women should participate in public life, show their faces and have a significant influence in society. Showing their faces in private is not enough. Faces is what makes us human. As social creatures we rely on face perception. Taking faces away is a way of dehumanizing people.

If a man behaves in an inappropriate manner in public for example staring at you, tell him. That's what mature women do. If women think the veil reduces being stared at, fine. If it makes them more comfortable that way I can accept this. But they should not lose their faces. Foolish men should not be the reason for women to turn into faceless ghosts whenever they are in public. And in Western countries we got dress codes too. In a city it's not appropriate to run around naked and it's also not appropriate to run around fully cloaked. This has little to do with religion. It's a matter of culture and dress code. When Western women travel to Iran, for example as journalists, they respect the local dress code which means wearing a veil. This is okay. We should respect that. But we also want some respect when it comes to our culture and our dress codes in Western countries.




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A religion that's intolerant of other religions can't be the world's best religion --Abdel Samad
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people--Eleanor Roosevelt


Posted By: Matt Browne
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 6:38am
Hi Hayfa,

Rape is among the most heinous crimes on our planet. We should do everything to prevent it from happening. But I'd like to point out that rape exists in all countries including Muslim countries. Even in Saudi-Arabia, the supposedly most holy country on Earth. In a book published more than 10 years ago a Saudi princess describes life in her country.

Her brother seems to be an especially despicable example of moral decay resulting from having every wish fulfilled--he rapes young girls, uses underage prostitutes, hits women, and is cruel even to loyal servants. Yet a woman who breaks the rules, particularly in regard to sexual matters, pays a hefty price. Two incidents in particular stand out--in one, a father drowns his only and much beloved daughter in the family swimming pool for engaging in some admittedly rather wild sexual behavior with non-Saudi men. In another case, a young woman is locked into solitary confinement for the rest of her life for falling in love while abroad studying. At last report she was alive but insane.

No society is perfect. No country is perfect. In Western countries we got problems. There is human trafficking and kidnapped women forced to work as prostitutes. But there's also progress. Female genital mutilation does not exist in our countries. Female genital mutilation is still widespread in many Muslim countries.

Jesus is a prophet also admired by Muslims. He once said that we cannot pluck the splinter from our neighbor's eye when we have a plank in our own eyes.

Listing the sins of majority Christian countries and the blessings of Muslim countries won't accomplish anything. And vice versa. Mature Muslims and Christians should work together to build a better future in all countries.



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A religion that's intolerant of other religions can't be the world's best religion --Abdel Samad
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people--Eleanor Roosevelt


Posted By: xx__Ace__xx
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 9:07am
Hmmm.... up till now I'd always been under the impression that rape usually has the arousal factor as the initiative. Learned some new facts Big%20smile

Originally posted by Hayfa Hayfa wrote:

Some people get arousal thinking of a woman afraid.

This one shocked me a little. That's just too heartless and seriously retarded Confused



Posted By: Gibbs
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 10:14am
@ Hayfa

That is bold to sexually assault someone in the elevator that is a sick.

Going. back to the arousal issue which Hayfa touched up very well I believe the intent of Hijab as God has prescribed for women, was to control misconduct not prevent it. I am not knowledgeable on what pre-Islamic society was like in Arabia but I'm assuming the hijab was also placed to maintain a woman's "honor" but I could be very wrong.


Posted By: Hayfa
Date Posted: 12 June 2010 at 5:58pm
Matt,

I agree with you. Violence against women is a huge problem all over the world, and it comes in many facets. Genital mutilation is actually an African custom, you won't see it say in the Middle East or the Far East. It is a cultural practice. Performed by Christians and Muslims alike.  To what happens to those young girls is quite horrifying.

This one shocked me a little. That's just too heartless and seriously retarded

Yes it is shocking but you realize that people who rape people are not "normal" in sense. Some can only "perform" if they dominate.  When you think about it, why would anyone want to force themselves on another human being?

Gibbs: I agree with you.

Also, if you want to see a show that will either turn one gray, or cause one to loose hair, watch a show called "I Survived" on Bio. It is INTENSE and not for the faint of heart. People talk about situations they survived like being stabbed 17 times, raped and left for dead or lost in the wilderness.  There are very deviant people out there.



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When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi


Posted By: schmikbob
Date Posted: 02 September 2010 at 7:51am
Am I correct in reading on this site that it is totally the woman's choice whether or not to wear the veil??  That would also mean that there is no penalty (legally or otherwise) to not wearing the veil.  This is clearly not the case in many muslim countries and let's not pretend otherwise.


Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 03 September 2010 at 7:54am
Originally posted by schmikbob schmikbob wrote:

Am I correct in reading on this site that it is totally the woman's choice whether or not to wear the veil??  That would also mean that there is no penalty (legally or otherwise) to not wearing the veil.  This is clearly not the case in many muslim countries and let's not pretend otherwise.


As far as I am aware, there is no Islamic or Shariah penalty for not wearing a veil or keeping a beard for that matter. Whatever examples you have read or seen, are man-made. According to our belief, if a Muslim does not follow these commandments, they will be sinning and will have to answer for their mis/deeds to Allah in the hereafter.

As for the countries you refer to, apart from Iran & Saudi Arabia - I am not aware of any Muslim country that makes it a legal compulsion to wear a veil. Even in conservative countries like UAE, Pakistan etc - while modest dressing & Hijab is socially encouraged and appreciated - it is not a legal compulsion. There are many Muslim women, a majority in fact, who do not observe Hijab as a permanent dress code. Clearly indicating that in the vast majority of cases Hijab remains a choice, and not a compulsion.

In countries like Indonesia & Malaysia - where there is a big non-muslim population as well, Hijab is not at all compulsory, yet the majority of women wear the Hijab or traditional 'Tudung'.

How many Muslim countries have you been to? How can you so assuredly say that is not the case? Based on the footage you have received of the Taliban? Who are less than 1% of the entire Muslim population....




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"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."


Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 03 September 2010 at 8:36am
Originally posted by schmikbob schmikbob wrote:

Am I correct in reading on this site that it is totally the woman's choice whether or not to wear the veil?? This is clearly not the case in many muslim countries and let's not pretend otherwise.


You can observe the Hijab to non-Hijab ratio yourself, will give you an idea whether it is actually a choice, or a compulsion. The Muslim community is too diverse to stereotype or judge based on the narrow media focus...

Malaysians:












Iranians:





Emirati:

(Consider the male attire, just as modest as the female's. Nobody ever points that out or complains on their behalf...)







Somalians:






Pakistani:











To conclude:





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"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."


Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 03 September 2010 at 8:52am
Originally posted by Matt Browne Matt Browne wrote:

  Even in Saudi-Arabia, the supposedly most holy country on Earth. In a book published more than 10 years ago a Saudi princess describes life in her country.



While I am not claiming that any Muslim community is devoid of evils . . . I wouldn't rely too much on books written by Saudi princesses!!! I wonder if you're referring to the "Princess" series by an American author (whose books I don't want to publicize by mentioning her name), who claims to write on behalf of a 'Saudi Princess'. I read that book, and it is such crap!!! It is so non-factual and completely baseless!!! that a even a non-practicing Muslim could point out the gaping loopholes!

If one has even basic knowledge of Islam they can tell how it is impossible for a muslim to be narrating those events since the narrator obviously seems to have NO clue of Islam! Utter rubbish. I would doubt the credibility of such books - claimed to be written on behalf of Muslim women, under the pretext of 'hiding' their identity.




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"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."


Posted By: NuraB
Date Posted: 09 November 2010 at 8:59am
Peace, Matt

You had said "There's also the purpose of social conventions. Symbols, rituals and dress codes strengthen social bonds. The article above promotes a particular social, cultural, or religious convention, trying to use science in an one-sided biased way. It doesn't show the whole picture."

Can't disagree with you there. Yet....

"Just to give you one example in terms of health benefits: The average life expectancy of a woman in Japan is 81.6 years (no veil). In Saudi Arabia which is also a rich country it is 75.3 years (veil or niqab). In Yemen it is 64.3 (veil). In Afghanistan it is 43.8 (veil or burqa)."

I'm sure your facts about life expectancy are correct, but, really? Dress being the primary contributing factor?

You don't think diet has a larger contribution?  The basic/traditional Japanese diet is more healthful with soy (tofu) or fish as the primary protein source.  Westerners are only now discovering the health benefits of soy compared to the hundreds of years that Japan has utilized it.

Compared to the diets of A.S., Yemen with higher fat meats like lamb and beef.  Afghanistan being a poorer country the diet of the common man is worse.

You are equally as guilty of not "showing the whole picture".



N.B.




Posted By: Gibbs
Date Posted: 11 November 2010 at 11:33am
40-60% of body heat is lost through the head,
 
This is actually wrong. Compare the head to the rest of the body. The chest, and back area is a large mass which also contains heat. Your heat is regulated in the brain but it is not lost through the head.


Posted By: sossydj
Date Posted: 25 November 2010 at 2:48pm
I should add that, besides protecting the head from cold, wind, and the Sun, the veil (Hijab) serves as a filter when worn on the face as well. This is specially beneficial during the spring in the gulf when sand storms and wind are common, or all year round in big cities to filter out the emission from cars and factories.


Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 26 November 2010 at 12:05am
Originally posted by sossydj sossydj wrote:

 the veil (Hijab) serves as a filter when worn on the face as well. This is specially beneficial during the spring in the gulf when sand storms and wind are common,


Which may very well be the origin of the 'veil'. Men in Arabian countries (living in desert lands) wear  the 'veil' too. Its not just a female thing.








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"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."


Posted By: sossydj
Date Posted: 26 November 2010 at 12:40am
Very impressive pictures. You are absolutely right.



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