Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, France, United Kingdom, Middle East
Travel broadens the mind, at least for most people. As we explore different cultures and beliefs we see that for the most part they're OK. While there are always local customs we just can't follow, in general the more we travel, the more accepting we become.
But how accepting should we get? I've traveled extensively in the Muslim world and I've yet to figure out exactly how I feel about the burqa and niqab, two types of female Islamic clothing that cover the face. For the vast majority of the world's population, the face is a key to identity. We look at the face to tell what a person is thinking and feeling. It's how we spot friends and enemies at a distance. To see a covered face makes many people suspicious. In most cultures, it means the person has something to hide.
Here in Europe a debate is raging over whether the face veil should be banned. Some politicians say it's oppressive and against Western values, while others defend it as part of a cultural heritage that needs to be tolerated in a free society. One thing these pundits have in common is that they talk about women who cover their faces, but very few actually talk with them. Regarding the burqa ban in France, one female friend quipped, "It's just another case of men telling women what to wear." Here's a video from the BBC program Newsnight that interviews Muslim women both for and against veils.
This video makes two important points: that opinion is divided in the Muslim community over face covering, and that there are thinking, educated people under those veils.
Continue reading The burqa and niqab: can travelers get used to anything? Should they?
The burqa and niqab: can travelers get used to anything? Should they? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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