Though Anees Lokhande opened his letter, “Saudi women in the Olympics” (July 4), with a positive note that every culture is different, he later turned toward religion to support the cultural obligations. In my opinion he used an incorrect premise to build his arguments.
In Islam, wearing of hijab or veil is not obligatory but a cultural dress prevailing in different societies, which took a religious color over a period of time. Let’s take both the hijab and veil cases one by one to clear the fog.
Hijab or head covering were used by both men and women to protect themselves from the desert heat. Even today local people in Arabian cities still wear the head cover as part of their cultural dress code. However, in deserts it is still worn for its real intended purpose: To protect from heat and sand. The Holy Qur’an has asked the believing women to draw their head covers or Khimaars over their bosoms (24:31). Obligatory covering of head or hair is no where mentioned.
Verse 59 of Surah Al-Ahzaab reads, “O Prophet, Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when outside), so that they should be known (as such) and not molested.” This Surah clearly sets the rule that women should neither be veiled nor confined to their homes.
It’s inner morality and clean conscience, not veil, which merits. This is applicable for both men and women to keep the modesty and lower the gaze. When we expect Saudi male athletes to maintain modesty while interacting with hundreds of non-veiled female sportswomen from other countries, then why suspect our mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of moral corruption.
It is imperative that we shall not mix traditional and cultural values with religion; otherwise, there won’t be any difference between us and those madmen who are ransacking Sufi shrines in Timbuktu. (Masood Khan, Jubail)
Creative thinking
This is in reference to the article on “Creative Thinking” (July 4) by Elsa Franco. Every time when I go through her articles, they seem much inspiring as well as take me into the deep observance. The reading is very interesting as well as very true. Her words bind the reader all over. Like her, I am also in search of hidden wisdom every time. I found myself very glad that we both were on the same page of mentality.
I want to highlight her repeatedly said words, “'No one is perfect” and there is always place for improvement. Everything changes, nothing stays the same and things often get over turned.” I so agree with her. Yes, life itself is a beautiful opportunity and a possibility to live as we want to and to breathe freely.
I believe that we must not underestimate other's potential or hard work. We don't know when the tables will be turned and life will be announcing success in opponents favor, leaving the critics shocked with their mouths open. And as she mentioned a facet of human nature, which is the is capability of accepting a defeat.
I would like to end by the author’s words, “We should never stop learning, being open to new possibilities, trying our wings to see how high we can soar and then try harder.” By breaking our all barriers and trying to come out of our shells into the outer amazing world and think, and live outside the box. (Areej Rana, Jeddah)
‘Muslim Face’
India’s Union Minister Salman Khursheed, who looks after the Law and Justice with added responsibility and Minority Affairs, recently met a delegation of media persons from West Asia, North Africa and Gulf countries in New Delhi.
The high profile Salaman Khursheed by profession a lawyer, is also known as “Muslim Face” of ruling Congress. He highlighted the thread of unity and harmony beads together the policies and schemes for minorities in the largest democracy, which has the second highest population of Muslims in the world. However, the media delegation asked about the situations when in such a pluralistic society there may be strife between the communities that routinely occurs. The Law and Justice Minister Khursheed replied though there are instances when there is a communal clash, but all such instances are dealt with utmost conviction of national unity.
We wonder whether the media persons who traveled in a group all through to New Delhi wanted to these gears only from Khursheed who wears many caps of portfolios? Probably the visiting journalists were not aware that hardly a few from majority community have been convicted on charges of atrocities against Muslims or those involved in demolishing the religious shrines belonging to minorities. Probably the delegates were not aware on the latest cases of innocent Muslims being picked from every nook and corner of India, albeit on mere suspicion grounds, unlawfully and illegally detained and brutalized in prisons cells, custodial deaths and those killed in fake encounters. (Suhail Reza, Jeddah)
