Comparing The Veil To Islam And Muslim Culture

Hijab is an Arabic word which means cover. Women of all ages cover their head with a cloth, that only shows the face parts. Although, it has different meanings in different societies, which depends on cultural and political context. Many people connect the veil to Islam and to Arabic culture. In my opinion, this is a really interesting topic. I am a Greek Orthodox Christian, and I did not have much knowledge about Muslims. I have seen plenty of times, girls wearing the hijab, but I always thought that their family press them to wear it just because it’s part of their culture. As our textbook, “Religion and Culture” explains, this cloth used to symbolize the loyalty of a woman, “Apparently, this tradition of the wearing of the hijab was associated with upper-class women among the elite in these societies” (Scupin 446). That means that the royal or the upper class women, who did not have to work, used to wear veil in the public to protect themselves from the staring of people, and most specifically of men.

These educated girls explain very clearly, that the fact that they are wearing the hijab, does not change the fact that they are human beings, and equal to men. That being said, I agree with them. The fact that males and females are equal, and girls can actually dress as they wish, shows a progress. As the Muslim girls said in the video, “ People look at you as a person, and not as a woman”. I understand, that it is very disrespectful when men look at women as sex toys, and not as human beings, but I think that men need to learn how to control their needs. It is acceptable for these girls to wear the hijab because it is part of their religion, but not acceptable to wear it because of the men. I know that it is natural for men to be attractive to women, but that doesn’t mean that women need to cover their face and body just to protect