I joined YouTube recently and am having fun surfing all over the place. But one video popped up and, while well done, I cannot get it through my mind why a genetic girl as pretty as this one would voluntarily cover up like this. Mostly we hear it is 'forced' or a 'religious requirement' but she says it is by her own choice. When I think of how many would love to have and display (show off) a face such as hers it boggles my mind. If you are a member of YouTube just type in the search box: Niqab styles 1 and then please tell me WHY?
Cheers,
Anne
BigCloset TopShelf
TopShelf TG Fiction in the BigCloset!
The Hatbox
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
If you prefer, you can donate through Patreon:
Become a Patron!
Thank you!
Comments
Choice
Her choice, not anyone else's.
Cheers,
Puddin'
-
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Fashion
Ah, the things we do for fashion!
You learn something new every day.
By the way, did you see the tattoos on her wrist and forearms? Very much not allowed in Islam! Apparently, they believe that God made us perfect, so voluntarily modifying your body (tattoos, piercings) is an affront to Him.
Her last fashion incarnation was probably as a Goth. (One hint is her YouTube name is TheVintageGoth.) At least she's having fun. So, like, you know, whatever!
Henna
The Tattoo is probably Henna, a plant die painted on the skin. The Muslimah reasoning is that the Wudu water can penetrate it so it is OK. I am also not permitted Nail polish of any kind since it does not permit the ritual cleaning water to penetrate
We are not permitted make up of any kind, and one day I spotted a woman with black eyeliner on just after one of the women informed me that my lip stick was not permitted. When I asked about the eye liner, the woman got all defensive and said that it was "medication" for her eyes. Another way they seem to be able to rationalize it is to say that their husband told her to this or that.
I hope that you are not missing the mirth in all this. I am slowly learning to disregard what some of these Masjid lawyers have to say.
Khadija
Gothy Tattoo
Looks like a pretty Goth-y tattoo to me, probably from one of her previous fashion fads. You did notice her YouTube name, right?
You are, of course, right that henna stain patterns can be done on the skin, because it's not a permanent alteration, but wouldn't that come under the category of makeup?
Gothy tattoo
My tattoos are hardly "gothy". All you can see in that video is the bottom, the roses, and my wrist tattoo on the other arm.
That's "then fail to represent your life as you know it".
The lower tattoo is called a claddagh. It's a celtic heritage symbol.
The hands represent friendship, the heart love, and the crown above the heart represents loyalty (presumably to the ruling Prince of England) but generally meaning loyalty to country.
The lovely lady is Katherine of Aragon (Catalina was her original Spanish name).
She was Henry VIII's first wife. I love history, and for a career I plan to study and research the Tudors, especially Henry VII's wives. The "halo" above her head was supposed to be the Spanish sun, and was intended to be coloured yellowish orange. After being asked over and over if she was the Virgin Mary, I decided colouring it in would only increase the questions.
So my tattoos are in no way related to gothic culture.
(I also have one one my collarbone that's a disney quote.)
=D
Apologies
Again, I must make apologies for jumping to conclusions based on rash assumptions. First, there was my error on your name. And then, given the illusion I was already under, the little flash of tattoo showing in your video started to look similar to the edges on some of the ink favored by Goths (the modern cultural/fashion kind). My active imagination put it all together for me, and got the completely wrong answer. So, again, I'm sorry!
It's ok. =] I do understand
It's ok. =] I do understand the visual contradiction. I don't think about that consciously because, I live with these tattoos and sometimes I have to remind myself they're there, when to others, it's the first thing they see in my videos.
I take no offense whatsoever, so no apology necessary. I'm just very thorough in my explanations. I have a very argumentative (not in the negative context, more of a debating context) personality. I like to debate and to prove my points accurately. That's often taken, or mistaken, as being defensive, especially here on the impersonal internet. I admit, when I read the posts for the first time my thoughts were a little uncivil, but I realize you (everyone who has posted) meant no offense or harm.
Henna
Just a little aside =]
Henna was first used as a sunscreen by middle-eastern, Indian, and northern africans (Egyptians). Its first use was as a universal coating, but then it became a status symbol and used for decoration. Kohl (eyeliner) was originally used for medical/physical reasons too, but as we evolve and find new ways to protect ourselves, these ancient defenses are reduced to merely cosmetic enhancements. The Native Americans also had a similar plant, although not related to henna. A lot of people including a large group of the green movement are moving to use henna in it's first capacity again. It's 100% natural, contains no added chemicals, and is a fairly abundant plant. Although, speaking on a personal note and from experience, I wouldn't want to be coated entirely in henna. You have to leave the dried paste on as long as possible, and that stuff gets itchy! =D
Kohl
It has been reported, although hard to source, that the Prophet's wives pbuh wore kohl. Eyeliner and mascara do have their medical advantages, reducing bright lights and foreign matter in the eye. I personally wear light applications of both due to alopecia. My eyelashes are extremely thin and far apart because they fall out more than normal people's do from time to time. So I wear mascara to reduce dirt getting into my eyes (the whole purpose of eyelashes). As long as it's not heavy or alluring, I don't see the problem with it. I don't see the problem with a light pink or nude toned lipstick, but definitely don't get why some hijabis wear hot pink or red lips, kind of counter-productive to the concept of hijab.
But in the end, everyone is only accountable to God, so live and let live.
Tattoos
Also Orthodox Judaism. Same reason.
Earrings are permitted "for beauty's sake" because they are customary in our society, but in general minimal changes from what we wore on our birthday are wholeheartedly approved of.
Cheers,
Puddin'
-
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Understanding TGs
In Iran and Sauudia, the general understanding is better than TGs get in the good ole' US. In Iran, the Gays get them as a ruse to keep from hanging, and the Iatolla wrote an official Fatwa allowing it. Social acceptance is still a problem. Incidentally, the Sauudis did 800 SRSs in 2006, which considering the population, is an astronomically high rate as opposed to the US. One of my friends there thinks it is mainly FtMs because the women get so frustrated about the poor state of women's rights there.
Interestingly, in southern Iraq, those who want to live as the oposite gender could for centuries, until Saddam tried to stamp them out. They were called Mustergil, I think. There weren't any SRSs but only the life style. Don't ask me how the sexual arrangements were worked out.
Khadija
Not henna
My name does not imply "goth" in the fashion/cult context. My name, as I explain in one of my videos, derives from the traditional meaning of the word "goth". Goth means early germanic tribe. I'm german and irish.
My tattoos are NOT henna, they are very much real and permanent, and are not allowed in Islam. However, I am a convert to Islam and I got my tattoos before I converted. Just as in Christian religions, once you accept Islam, you are cleared of your sins before accepting God, and have a clean slate after. I have not gotten anymore tattoos or body modifications since I converted.
Please don't think I'm sounding rude, I don't intend to. I just constantly have to explain myself to muslims and non-muslims alike.
Marvelous!
I think it's marvelous that you found this thread and corrected our speculations! If anyone should be apologizing for rudeness, it's definitely not you! Please accept my apologies for any flippancy or dismissiveness of your religious conversion and conviction. And, thank you for the clarification on the status of your tattoos as a convert.
The Wikipedia article on Goths is very interesting. While they are commonly referred to as a Germanic tribe, they seem to have originated in southern Sweden and kept moving, lending their name to part of Poland during their centuries of southeastern migration and leaving a significant archaelogical record in the Ukraine.
Nordic
Yep, they did. The early germanic tribes were often nordic or slavic descent who migrated across the continent, or broke off from nordic viking expeditions. It definitely fits. Vikings were mostly barbaric and ruthless, and the early goths were thought of as barbarians. Vikings were often nomads as were several slavic (gyspy-like) tribes who finally decided to settle in the poland/germany area.
not so hard to understand
why does anyone do body ornamentation or pursue the fashion choices they do? Clothing (and body ornamentation) serve three purposes:
1. To meet 'coverage' standards as established by tradition, ethnicity, and religion (often in order to keep sexuality limited to established/approved relationships and generally out of the public eye).
2. To provide physical protection from conditions as needed for task or environment.
3. To raise or lower one's status in a social hierarchy , frequently to prove worthy of attention and consideration for a relationship/sexual encounter but just as often to hide what the individual believes to be imperfections that will reduce their status (ie... lack of self-confidence).
In this particular case I'd say its a call for attention, trying to build up personal status by appearing out of place and different (rebelling against tradition by adopting a tradition of a foreign... and controversial... nature). Masking the features also tends to lead to a personal sense of empowerment (a factor frequently displayed in in an exaggerated sense by comic book characters). Some of it may be a desire for political activism, despite her claims... and whether she intends it or not, it does have that affect (and she probably enjoys the controversy that comes from that but by denying that its a factor she probably feels she can avoid taking responsibility for the conflict).
Or... that's my personal take on it, anyway. :)
Kristin Darken
=]
...Or maybe she's just a muslim who's trying to live her life the way she feels necessary, just like everyone else does.
Everyone is always trying to evaluate me and dissect my life and intentions. Could it be that I'm just trying to live my life and offer help and advice, however trivial or meaningful that advice may be? There's no deep dark secrets behind it.
I don't appreciate being told what my life is by people I've never met, but I realize I put myself in that position by making these very public videos. If I were "in it" for political activism, wouldn't I be making videos about that instead of flimsy fashion videos and the occasional history lesson? The only thing "political" I do care about enough to make so public is enhancing the view on my sisters in Islam and our rights as human beings.
An interesting quote was given to me today:
"...sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."
- Sigmund Freud
This doesn't really contradict what I said
Of course people try to evaluate you and dissect your life and intentions, how else can they expect to understand it? If you weren't interested in that sort of thing, you wouldn't put yourself in front of the spotlight where people are aware of you in the first place. Just as each of us who writes for a site like this open ourselves up to readers.
What you've done, in responding defensively to my post is shown that I've hit a nerve... that there is enough truth in it that you needed to deny it because you don't want to be that way. Which is ironic, because my post was originally meant as a counter to the 'OMG why'd she do that' of the original post... because someone on a site for stories about crossdressing or transgendered characters having issues with clothing choices someone else has... just a bit amusing.
Well, let me assure you... there is nothing wrong with seeking attention (within limits) and wanting to be noticed, enjoying a sense of empowerment, or with advocating politics (or religious beliefs). Nor is there anything wrong with wearing whatever clothing you want to simply because its different (or is typically worn by members of the opposite gender). As long as you are honest with yourself about why you do it.
A Nerve.
So if I deny it, that means I'm really that way because I'm just getting defensive and you hit a nerve. If I don't deny it, that only allows you, and anyone who reads it, to assume it's the truth. Of course you hit a nerve because you are assuming what my life is without ever meeting me, or taking the initiative to know me. I don't sit around on websites taking other people's lives and saying "well, she does this, so that means she's just seeking attention". I don't even do that with people I've talked to for years. It's wrong, and it's only spreading misconceptions. You don't know my life, as I don't know yours. Of course it hits a nerve when people try to spread misconceptions about my life.
"Of course people try to evaluate you and dissect your life and intentions, how else can they expect to understand it?"
It's called asking a niqabi, not speculating and making up your own answers because it's what you think is the truth. You can never know what it's like to be a muslim and a niqabi until you've lived it, so how can you answer for one?
I can be completely honest with myself about why I do what I do, but when I explain it to others, they'll only accept it if they want to accept it. My intentions are ultimately between me and God.
I appreciate you trying to stick up for me but, to be cliche, it was the wrong execution of the right idea.
Not exactly...
It was less the fact that you denied it than the way you did so. And the way you continue to do so. I work with words as both a hobby and in connection to my work in theater. I take pride in my ability to evaluate character based on a text segment and I stand by my original opinion regarding the basic reasons for clothing and the quick comments I made in response to the original post and a quick glance at the link that was provided. I'm willing to accept that I may be wrong... but I'm not going to change my opinion simply because you show up in the thread and insist that I change it. Show me that you're willing to learn as much as you want to teach and I'll consider changing my views.
As to what you can learn... lets start with this idea of only being able to understand another religion if you've lived it. If we give that any consideration, then no one can ever understand something beyond what they themselves are... which means those of us with gender identity problems might as well give up and go home. And the outlook for stopping the wars between religions is pretty bad as well.
I understand Islam fairly well, along with a number of other Eastern and Western religions and philosophical standards. Part of a decent education, a whole lot of reading, and a mind open to learning. I think its pretty clear from the discussion in this thread that I'm not alone in having a background in the religion and history of it (and more than a few of us have even been in the region from which it comes, speaking to and working with people where its the standard not the exception).
You can read and read about
You can read and read about something till you have it memorized backwards. I'm not talking about understanding the whys and actual text understanding. It is always different when you try to live it. You don't know what it's like to be minding your own business in the middle of walmart and have someone walk up to you, stare you straight in the face, call you a sand nigger, and physically threaten your life if you don't leave the store. This was before I wore niqab, so the gentleman could obviously tell I'm white and not arabic. I'm talking the emotional understanding. I can know the whys and the textbook explanations for why someone would be unhappy about the gender they were born with, but when it comes down to it, I could never make up accusations as to why someone would actually feel that way and/or want to change their gender. I don't tell whoever on this site that they do it for attention and political activism and that it's just something of a fashion fad for them.
Do you know what it feels like to agonize over putting on hijab? I'm not talking day to day, I'm talking about teens who are debating whether to start for the first time, or converts. Do you know all the arguments and fears a girl has when she's in that position? I really don't think, in all your textbook understanding of Islam, you could understand that without living it.
"If we give that any consideration, then no one can ever understand something beyond what they themselves are..."
I never said, nor implied that. Before I converted, I lived as a muslim. I put on hijab before I converted, to see if it was something I could really handle. I started praying 5 times a day, gave up pork, visited the mosque daily. I lived my life as a muslim before I actually decided. Hundreds of thousands of people do relatively the same thing for different reasons, as I'm sure some here on this website do. I've known friends who have worn hijab for a week to get a better understanding of how it feels to be muslim.
And yet
[cite]Do you know what it feels like to agonize over putting on hijab? I'm not talking day to day, I'm talking about teens who are debating whether to start for the first time, or converts. Do you know all the arguments and fears a girl has when she's in that position? I really don't think, in all your textbook understanding of Islam, you could understand that without living it.[/cite]
Let me see if I can give it a stab.
One of the stages through which any transsexual must pass in order to get approval for her surgery is the RLT, which stands for real life test. During this period, typically a minimum of a year in length; she must dress, live, and work full time as a woman. It is a test of dedication, perseverance, and is meant to prove that she understands fully what she faces before the irreversible operation occurs and can make a place for herself in society.
In some states it is now legal for these women to use restrooms designated for women... in other places, they cannot. No matter what they wear, whether they've been on hormones for years, or even the gender that is displayed on their ID or the papers that confirm that they are undertaking this test, recommended by their psychiatrist.
During this time she faces friends, co-workers, family members... she challenges their cultural paradigms and they respond. Some with support. Some with reserve and confusion. Some with outright disgust and hatred. They don't understand what she is doing... they just don't see how the person she was before could be... this 'thing.' A sexual deviant. Someone trying to corrupt their culture.
How does she feel knowing her jaw is too square, her Adam's Apple a bit too present, hands and feet too large to ever completely pass... so that despite years of hormones, surgery, even the final operation to bring her genitals into close similarity with the one's she should have; she will still draw the giggles of a cluster of teenage girls, cause a grown man to clench his fist and want to strike out.
Do you really think we can't understand what it might be like? To be a little different for believing something a little bit different than everyone else, to be insulted or threatened for trying to be who we believe we need to be?
I understand. I've also been in the midst of a spiritual torment of trying to reconcile my beliefs with my identity. My studies of religion were hardly academic textbook reading. Sure, that was part of it... but I also spent a lot of time digging for the underlying wisdom and that means being open to finding the truth in places you don't expect it.
Now don't get me wrong, as you have been all along; I'm not discounting your trials. But don't be so unwilling to listen. And learn where you can.
Niqab basics
I'll try to explain this in a very basic way with the disclaimer that I am not advocating for Islam.
True, it is a choice. Muslims come in as many flavors as Christians do, so general statements about it are about as silly as comparing Unitarians with the Church of White supremacy. The general thought on Niqabs among very conservative Muslims is that NO man but the husband and imediate family should view the face of the woman, as she is sacred to Allah SWT.
Well, I don't subscribe to that view but I do Hijab almost all the time, except when I am off on my bike, and then it is as little as is legal and sun conscious. It's gonna be over 100 Degrees here this week, so I'll let ya know how the Hijabing goes, OK. I have heard that Muslim women routinely wear a full Abaya (thin floor length, long sleeved floor length coat) and Hijab when it is 100-120 with very high humidity. I have experienced 100 Degrees with 95% humidity in SRS Thailand, and I thought I was going to die, in fact wished I would.
Up til now, I have been adamant about the Niqab. "Yeah, they can put it on my cold dead body" I said only about a week ago. Geeze, I should keep my mouth shut. Well, this morning I got an email about a professor who is speaking and I very much want to hear him. The problem is that there are about three sisters who are very hostile to me who I know will be there. Do I really need to finish this? You know what I am thinking of doing since pistols and knives are not appropriate. Well, I suppose, that in view of the circumstances ...
BTW, I was recently told by a Pastor who used to have a church in Atlantic City, that lots of T girls opt for very conservative religious sects that enforce women dressing in a certain way ...
Khadija
Desert Clothes
In Arabia, where this style of dress originated, it's also true that both men and women anciently wore clothes that covered everything, including the face in many cases, because that's adaptive behaviour in deserts.
Perfectly sensible people really ought to do it today, now that we know that sun exposure causes skin cancer and accelerated deterioration of the dermis.
You'll note, I'm sure, that each of these men either wears a veil, or has one ready-draped and available for instant use.
Aside from the mandatory veil over the face itself in public, which men were free, but not required to do as well, there was little real difference between the ancient dress of Arab women and Arab men, and that's where the religion was born.
This is conservatism rather more than oppression, I think, although there are, surprisingly enough, many societies around the world which systematically oppress women, and no mere religion is a definitive defence against this sort of hostile discrimination.
The women's veil itself was mandatory for "ladies" in "Christendom" until fairly recently, and I can well remember my grandmother refusing to leave the house without a hat with a largely symbolic veil, because "that's what ladies wore." The remnants of this special rule for Western women are still with us, last I looked, in that at least some Christian churches still insist that women cover their hair as a sign of "respect." Mind you, men cover their hair in Orthodox Jewish Synagogues as well, so hair coverings are fairly universal in many religious contexts, however different in detail.
Cheers,
Puddin'
-
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Tuareg
They are Desert Caravan travelers; odd that they still use Camels; most cost effective way to travel there. In that environment, both men and women are 100% covered with only tiny slits to see through, and I have seen some with a thin cloth over that to help with the Sun's glare.
In my experience, if I dress in loose layers and hydrate constantly, I find it at least bearable. I wonder if the use of Wudu; ritual cleaning, had its origins in practicality. They needed it to keep their skin clean with all the sweating.
Another Archeological note is that I have seen men and women harvesting grains on the farms of Turkey, and both sexes were covered, I think to keep the dust out of their lungs.
I also think that the origins of the Pork prohibition lay in the fact that unclean conditions made the Pig a great little disease vector then. I think modern barn raised Pork is probably fine but I would not say that in front of just anyone.
Khadija
That particular picture...
is of Lawrence of Arabia and King Faisal, together with a bevy of retainers and advisors.
Cheers,
Puddin'
-
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Pork
You may well be right, but Muhammad took it from the Jews, his immediate, and acknowledged, predecessors in the Prophet business. The differences between the rules of kashruth and what is hallal are minimal in the context of meat, at least, and Muslims are permitted, last I looked, to treat kosher meat as approximately equivalent to hallal. Muslims prefer the Orthodox Union "hechser," the little U in a circle, because it's more strict than the generic "K," and is therefore closer to hallal meat.
Note that there are many "kosher" products which are not at all hallal, like kosher wines for example, but meat is rarely packaged with added alcohol.
Cheers,
Puddin'
-
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Modern vs Mohamadean Islam
There is a growing movement to restore the rules that Muhammad used and that means full rights for women, and a far less legalistic and more moderate approach to all things. I am not speaking of all this as a Muslimah but as a student of Archeology. My own observance is between me and Allah SWT.
In modern Islam, Pork is forbidden, with one exception and that is if a person is going to starve with out it, then it is permissible.
Do not mistake me. I was a long time Christian before I converted to Islam and I am sad to say that it has as many problems as Christianity or Judeaisim, or any other religion. As long as there are people we will struggle. In a scientific sense, I have a great deal of respect for the Athiest and Agnostic points of view even if I disagree with them, since in my opinion, the intelligence that created the universe is unknowable thus no religion is absolutely right.
Erin, thank you for your patience. Please do not unpub this?
Khadija
Unpub?
What's unpub? lol.
But I'm not offended, the only way to increase understanding is to talk about it, and I have had far worse accusations made about me. This thread is very interesting!
And I agree with your argument. God is perfect, religion is not because it is imperfect beings who practice it. We have our nutcases and fanatics, just as Christianity and Judaism does.
In The Civil War Era
In the Civil War Era, unmarried women had to be covered from the bottom of their chin to their feet. Their arms had to be covered in long sleeves with only their hands showing. Married women could wear dresses that bared their shoulders and the sleeves could be half or three quarters length. I was dressed in Period costume for a reenactment of a Civil War Era church service. As a single woman, I had to wear the dress that completely covered. It was 95 degrees that day and I gained a whole new respect for what my ancestors had to endure during that period of history. It really makes you wonder how they ever lived without air conditioning. My body was soaked in sweat by the time I changed clothes.
You HAD to wear
So much for the land of the free. Even in a really free society, most fashions are dominated by men, and designed to highlight whatever is fashionably sexy on women's bodies - breasts, hips waists etc.
However, no one has stated one very important reason we wear what we wear - to give some vent to our own personality and identity. With the exception of my work 'uniform', I wear clothes that either feel comfortable or say something about me. They are my choice and part of a message I project to the world - when I can get the cat hairs off them.
Angharad
Angharad
And WHAT were you wearing?
So much for the land of the free.
What were women wearing in the U.K. 140-150 years ago?
They know they can survive
War of Northern Aggression Attire
I've had fun at Civil War reenactments, falling in as a corporal for the battle, then scrambling back to my tent and changing into my female garb after taking a sponge bath from head to toe. I find the female attire, cotton blouse, a hoop skirt with plenty of air underneath and a big broad brim droopy straw hat quite comfortable compared to the wool trousers and shell jacket I wear when in the ranks or serving part time as regimental quartermaster. Even when I am obliged to wear a short cropped jacket with my female attire for formal occasions, I find it far more comfortable in the heat.
As to living without air conditioning, it takes a minimum of two weeks for the human body to acclimate to a climate to an environment and adjust itself with the person doing light duty. Playing rapid fire bing-bong between diverse conditions does not allow the body to acclimate. Also, social customs come into play when dealing with extremes of weather. Why do you think people in Spain wait until late in the evening to enjoy their main meals and social gatherings and have a snooze in the afternoon?
And as far as the hijab and Islam, there are many aspects of Islam I find quite attractive. If so many of my friends had not been slaughtered by "The Faithful" simply because they were Americans, I could have very well accepted Islam as my faith, hijab and all.
Any who, that's my two cents. Just remember, tolerance is a two way street. Those who are TG who are always screaming at the top of their lungs to be tolerant need to have a little tolerance themselves of others, no matter how strange or bothersome their beliefs may be to us.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
WOW!
I asked a question and got a delightfully interesting history lesson. What a wealth of information from a great group of people with, I think, the main message being, as it should be, tolerance.
Many thanks,
Cheers,
Anne
TheVintageGoth
Hello, I'm the girl you're speaking about. A user emailed me about the coverage I'm getting here.
My name is erin, I'm 20, and I'm a convert to Islam. I don't wear niqab for cultural reasons, and I'm not forced to wear it by any family members. In fact, I'm the only muslim in my family. I chose to wear niqab just as everyone else chooses to wear what they do. I wear it for my God, and for no one else.
I thank you for your lovely compliment about my face, at least I took it as a compliment. =]. But I do have to choice who I show my face to.
In Saudi they have obligatory niqab, and many are fighting to change that. I don't support those who force niqab on others, nor have I ever even suggested that any other woman wear it. But just as no one should be forced to cover, no one should have the right to force me to show what I do not want to show.
As for doing "fashion" in niqab, why not? The Qur'an never states that muslimahs (female muslims)should all look a like. In fact, it tells us to keep ourselves well-maintained and well-groomed. I live in Kansas and dressing in the iconic "niqab" stlye that you see Saudi women in draws MORE attention to myself than dressing in colourful niqabs and looking somewhat fashionable. My fashion never gets in the way or breaks any Qur'anic scripture.
Being a convert, I've been where you are in thinking. I used to say the same thing myself. It is very hard to understand my choice growing up in the U.S. But this is who I am, and this is what I do to show my love and devotion to my God.
I appreciate you not cutting me down with insults and accusations, not many do that.
erin
Thank you Erin......
for taking the time to join the discussion and explain your position and feelings. BTW when Gwen said "Erin don't unpub'" she was refering to another Erin who is owner/editor/publisher of this site and reviews the postings to make sure they do not give offense.
I must explain that there was another reason behind my original question. This BC site caters to those who, in many cases, are unhappy with the gender they were born with. Many have adjusted their lifestyle to reflect and live as the opposite gender. When I saw your video on wearing the niqab the thought occurred that many who have transitioned from male to female would give their eyeteeth for the good looks that you choose to cover. I'm glad you took no offense, none was intended and look what an interesting thread developed.
Anne
Unpub
Oh, I hope she doesn't! This has been a very good thread and very interesting indeed! I feel in no way offended.
I chose to cover not because I'm ashamed of the face God gave me, quite the opposite. I want my "beauty" (whoops, there go my humble points for the day, lol =p) to only be seen by my family and by my future husband, inshallah.