~ Hijabis.

[єѕαρχαι]

Even sher khan wears hijab :p

Kidding

[Mayana]

Do you guys feel like men only show you respect because you are more covered?

Also.. on a more general note, how do you girls react to disrespect from the opposite gender? Do you just ignore it, do you go off on them, do you kindly tell them to stop.. do you pop out a headscarf? :P

I think there are two extremes .. wearing hijab as opposed to wearing a bikini.. but what about those of us who are not "behijab" but who just don't wear a headscarf? Like, they'll cover their whole body, wear long shirts, loose pants, have their hair tied together, no make-up.. and I know most of the girls on here cover themselves pretty decently, so how big is the difference a headscarf makes in this case? Men will be men, no matter if you wear a bikini or a Hijab, if they want to go after you.. they will go after you.

What kinds of responsibilities come with it? Have you become more aware of your Deen and more aware of the fact that you are a representative and have to watch your actions a lot more than without a hijab?

[JAMALUDEEN]

Do you guys feel like men only show you respect because you are more covered?

Also.. on a more general note, how do you girls react to disrespect from the opposite gender? Do you just ignore it, do you go off on them, do you kindly tell them to stop.. do you pop out a headscarf? :P

I think there are two extremes .. wearing hijab as opposed to wearing a bikini.. but what about those of us who are not "behijab" but who just don't wear a headscarf? Like, they'll cover their whole body, wear long shirts, loose pants, have their hair tied together, no make-up.. and I know most of the girls on here cover themselves pretty decently, so how big is the difference a headscarf makes in this case? Men will be men, no matter if you wear a bikini or a Hijab, if they want to go after you.. they will go after you.

What kinds of responsibilities come with it? Have you become more aware of your Deen and more aware of the fact that you are a representative and have to watch your actions a lot more than without a hijab?

You make us sound like beasts like animals, always on the look for our prey. Not all men are like that, so you are making a big assumption and a big time generalization of men. Me personally, i feel more comfortable talking to girl who wears a hijab or a scarf than a girl who doesn't cover herself well. So it does makes a difference.

[PFgulalai]

It would be better if this thread is under the Fashion category rather than Pashtun Culture since Hijab has origin from Arab culture and we have remained oblivious to its existence until its recent introduction and the use of this tool to 'detect' the moral standards of the women (well this is one of the severeal use of Hijab)..I suppose Burqa would be more relevant here.

Too bad! I can't answer all questions except one: I don't wear it and still never got harrassed by some juvenile delinquent...I am such a boring person, lol.

Besides head, face,neck,and feet (sometimes), everything is covered. Most of the times, my eyes are also uncovered!

Assalamalaikum sisters (lol)


Today, I want to discuss this topic with you..

~ Hijab - The shell for the most precious pearl.

Do you girls wear Hijab? If so, always.. or only during Ramadan? For how long have you been wearing it?

What made you wear Hijab.. was it your family's request or did you chose to do it by yourself? For what reasons do you wear it.. cultural or religious?

After deciding to wear a Hijab.. have you made certain changes to your life? How has your life changed.. how has your behavior changed.. how have your encounters changed?

What difficulties have you come across as a Hijabi? Do you find it difficult to find appropriate clothing, is it difficult to cover during the summer or is it difficult to find outfits for weddings etc. ?

How have people treated you differently as a Hijabi? Do men approach you, if so, how? Do people treat you negatively, do they ask a lot of questions?

How do you wear your head scarf? Lose like women back home.. or Arabic style.. Turkish style.. what style? Post pictures =) (not of yourself of course lol)


Do you wear Abaayas? Punjabi clothes? Western clothes?


Shaaare awayyy =)

[Mayana]

The emphasis lies on "IF they want to go after you, they WILL"

By that, I mean that men who are behaya, will be behaya - no matter if the girl's naked or in curtains. Men who want to live that sort of lifestyle WILL live that lifestyle; men who want to go after a girl, will.. I wasn't tryna say that all men are like that (khoday de nakrrih) but rather that IF a man is like that, he will not be held back by the way a girl dresses .. because if he had Hayaa in the first place, he wouldn't be going after girls =)

Sorry for any misunderstandings.. I didn't mean to offend anyone..

[JAMALUDEEN]

The emphasis lies on "IF they want to go after you, they WILL"

By that, I mean that men who are behaya, will be behaya - no matter if the girl's naked or in curtains. Men who want to live that sort of lifestyle WILL live that lifestyle; men who want to go after a girl, will.. I wasn't tryna say that all men are like that (khoday de nakrrih) but rather that IF a man is like that, he will not be held back by the way a girl dresses .. because if he had Hayaa in the first place, he wouldn't be going after girls =)

Sorry for any misunderstandings.. I didn't mean to offend anyone..

None taken, i just thought you were being just a bit too in girlie term "mean" to us. lol.

Just miscommunication

[Mayana]

I think it is just fine under "Hujra" in Pashtun Culture.. Covering from head to toe is a vivid part of our culture.. even if you look at traditional Afghan clothes, the women are covered from head to toe in loose clothes.
The name might be Arabic.. but I think we agree that the vast majority of Pashtuns are Muslim and that covering one's body has always played a great role in a Pashtana's life. Today, it is just called "Hijab".. but the concept is the same and the tradition goes waaay back. =)

[PFgulalai]

Oh no Mayana! I was just sharing my experience of the state of unhijab-ness.
On the contrary, my personal observation of girls wearing Hijab is that they are the biggest hypocrites when it comes to practicing their strict religious beliefs. (Disclaimer: I am not saying that ALL Hijab-wearing girls are the same; these are the girl whom I have known personally and they wore Hijab..No offense to any sensibilities here.Thanks!). They did all the 'behaya' things (that men do) within the Hijab and got away from the expected troubles very comfortably. The correlation between Hijab and hypocricy is that of a direct one (in my case).
And yes, they always warned me that 'sar-tooray' like me will burn in hell or that Shaitaan is always peeing on my head (ewwwwww!!).

What lies beneath the spotless shroud of modesty is plain sanctimony. I might as well stay happy with Shaitaan peeing on my head.

The emphasis lies on "IF they want to go after you, they WILL"

By that, I mean that men who are behaya, will be behaya - no matter if the girl's naked or in curtains. Men who want to live that sort of lifestyle WILL live that lifestyle; men who want to go after a girl, will.. I wasn't tryna say that all men are like that (khoday de nakrrih) but rather that IF a man is like that, he will not be held back by the way a girl dresses .. because if he had Hayaa in the first place, he wouldn't be going after girls =)

Sorry for any misunderstandings.. I didn't mean to offend anyone..

[*Mahzala*]

It would be better if this thread is under the Fashion category rather than Pashtun Culture since Hijab has origin from Arab culture and we have remained oblivious to its existence until its recent introduction and the use of this tool to 'detect' the moral standards of the women (well this is one of the severeal use of Hijab)..I suppose Burqa would be more relevant here.

I disagree. Observing the Hijaab is not a culture, nor is it a man made instruction or part of an oppressive process aimed at women by a patriarchal system of beliefs. Its roots are in the Quran in the form of a command to believing women who are asked to cover themselves so that they may attain piety. Those who use it as a standard to measure a woman’s honour, respect and modesty only reflects their ignorance and inability to distinguish between the woman’s obedience to her Creator and how she carries herself to seek praise and respect from others. It should be pretty obvious by now that for many, abiding by this command is not easy in this day and age, in the societies that we live in, the people that surround us and the policies that ultimately divide us as a people based on the way we dress. So if a woman does observe Hijaab (while we don’t), we should be the last to point fingers and say: so and so wears it for such and such reasons. Khuday de zrhuno maalik dai. We are not aware of people’s intentions and we should not be quick to judge and make faulty conclusions based on those. Given that we are aware of the fact that society and people have pushed us to this edge that many do not observe Hijaab because of its unacceptance in our societies, it should be clear that those who do, only do for the inner peace and strength they find in themselves, and for the sole purpose of pleasing their Creator.

[PFgulalai]

The name is Arabic and so is its origin.So Hijab is an imported product from Arabs.
Hijab just covers head and we have 'saadar' for that already to cover our head in our culture.
The concept is the same (covering head) but the tool is not the same. Why not to cover it with a plastic bag? It will still serve the purpose.

I think it is just fine under "Hujra" in Pashtun Culture.. Covering from head to toe is a vivid part of our culture.. even if you look at traditional Afghan clothes, the women are covered from head to toe in loose clothes.
The name might be Arabic.. but I think we agree that the vast majority of Pashtuns are Muslim and that covering one's body has always played a great role in a Pashtana's life. Today, it is just called "Hijab".. but the concept is the same and the tradition goes waaay back. =)

[*Mahzala*]

The concept is the same (covering head) but the tool is not the same. Why not to cover it with a plastic bag? It will still serve the purpose.

If you say this topic fits the fashion section better, than I suppose you would know that a plastic bag meets no fashion criteria. Neither is it comfortable, and nor does it look good. Had you said something like a hat, I would have skipped the mocking tone in your post.

[Mayana]

The name is Arabic and so is its origin.So Hijab is an imported product from Arabs.
Hijab just covers head and we have 'saadar' for that already to cover our head in our culture.
The concept is the same (covering head) but the tool is not the same. Why not to cover it with a plastic bag? It will still serve the purpose.

Because it goes against pure Pashtun culture.
Pashtun culture is a Saloo or a Poranai; Pashtuns before Islam did not have plastic bags.

[PFgulalai]

I am talking about the recent (6-7 years) introduction of the Hijab in our culture (I am from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa). Clothing is one component of culture;Hijab being worn by some,if not all, women could be considered a part of culture.
Women in our culture were/are always covered-with or without the introduction and subsequent acceptance (by some) by the Hijab.

Well the fact is that today those who wear Hijab are considered more moral than those who do not use it. This is a recent trend in the thinking of our people. And that is why many girls are attracted to the idea of wearing it. I am not saying that I am against it as it's one personal choice. The intesting thing to note is how Hijab has brought a sudden shift in the social acceptance of women who wear/do not wear Hijab.

Women look beautiful only when they are covered.

I disagree. Observing the Hijaab is not a culture, nor is it a man made instruction or part of an oppressive process aimed at women by a patriarchal system of beliefs. Its roots are in the Quran in the form of a command to believing women who are asked to cover themselves so that they may attain piety. Those who use it as a standard to measure a woman’s honour, respect and modesty only reflects their ignorance and inability to distinguish between the woman’s obedience to her Creator and how she carries herself to seek praise and respect from others. It should be pretty obvious by now that for many, abiding by this command is not easy in this day and age, in the societies that we live in, the people that surround us and the policies that ultimately divide us as a people based on the way we dress. So if a woman does observe Hijaab (while we don’t), we should be the last to point fingers and say: so and so wears it for such and such reasons. Khuday de zrhuno maalik dai. We are not aware of people’s intentions and we should not be quick to judge and make faulty conclusions based on those. Given that we are aware of the fact that society and people have pushed us to this edge that many do not observe Hijaab because of its unacceptance in our societies, it should be clear that those who do, only do for the inner peace and strength they find in themselves, and for the sole purpose of pleasing their Creator.

[Mayana]

On a different note, a Hijab is not a headscarf, it's more than that.. it translates to the Pashto word "Parda". It goes beyond a headscarf, beyond a long shirt, beyond lose trousers.. into the very soul of the person who wears it, it is a way of covering yourself in every possible way - not just covering hair on your head. =)

[PFgulalai]

And so does the Hijab looks out of place in Pashtun Culture according to me. Since it was already made clear by Mayana that it fits well in Pashtun Culture, I can't say anything more than to remain with my notion that it is misplaced.I won't change my mind but I won't demand the change any further.
Plastic bag is obviously less aesthetic, but why would aesthetics bother if the purpose is to please the God and derive inner pleasure through the process??
The plastic bag was metaphorical-black and enlarged.Hats can't do it.Not at least the present one.
@Mocking: Making a mockery out of someone's personal preferences is not my cup of tea. I don't care what people wear.But I do care about the things that modify the varied trends in our culture and society as a mere spectator and I tend to share them and want to know people's opinions about them.

If you say this topic fits the fashion section better, than I suppose you would know that a plastic bag meets no fashion criteria. Neither is it comfortable, and nor does it look good. Had you said something like a hat, I would have skipped the mocking tone in your post.