No Hijabs in New Zealand courts
Saturday, September 05, 2009 Read more → Current-Affairs, haya modesty, hijab, new zealand, shariah, Zahra-Shah In the name of God, entirely Compassionate, especially Merciful | Peace be with you
I was told by my sister in law, that in today's paper there was an article about an incident in Hastings, New Zealand that went somewhat as follows: A muslim brother was to appear in court, his sister also being there for support. Upon her arrival they allowed her in the court, but on the break they told her she was not allowed back in until she moves her "hat" i.e. hijab. Wow, talk about lack of religous freedom, this comes as a shock coming from a country like Canada. Apperently there was a lot of arguing, and I'm sure they were hurt.
It seems like everywhere I turn hijabs are unliked and often asked to be removed.
My sister in law I think was trying to push my buttons a little; she does not nor has she ever worn hijab other then attending a du'a group so she doesn't understand the meaning behind it. She often sides with the court and the country and tells me stories about times her husband took Muslims to court who jumped up and down yelling "I'M A MUSLIM! I DON'T LIE!"
A lot of this makes us look bad especially when they were found to have lied...
Those Muslim women who follow the Qur'an and wear hijab are often hurt by these incidents as it can impact us greatly. I'm not knocking non-hijabis but simply saying that unless you have worn hijab, properly full time for some time you will not experience the same hurt. It's hard not being understood and be scrutinized for practising your religion as I'm sure many Muslim men and women can relate too.
This lack of understanding of hijab starts with in our own ummah, so sometimes you can't blame those who fail to understand. See alot of times what happens is Muslim sisters who don't wear a head covering tell people that question the amazement of their new Muslimness that the hijab is a choice, no sisters, I'm sorry, it's
your obligation as a Muslim woman, the Qur'an and scholars say so, yes you choose to wear it but it comes as a package deal. And no the hijab is not oppressive in anyway.
optional, because it makes it difficult for thosewho don't see it as an option.
I can agree that "niyat" (intention) is most important, a hijab on a woman whose intentions aren't pure make her as hijabless as any non hijabi. But it hurts that this illusion of choice hinders the way of life for devote hijabi sisters.
Living in New Zealand is alot diffrent from Canada, espically this town I live in. A lot of the Muslims coming here do silly little things like rent an apartment and will give a sob story of why they can't give a deposit, swear on their religion and the Qur'an that they can't cheat people as Muslims, then what do you know... They stop paying rent, and disappear back to their own country leaving Muslims like me and my husband in their shadow to be left with the after effect.
We need to keep in mind that our actions as Muslims effect the entire ummah.
Yes some countries have more religious freedom then others, but lets show the world the true face of Islam, and be kind, and honest be patient and respectful, and above all else be honest, if you don't know the answer to a question, do as the early sahabias did and simply say "I don't know".
Walikum asalaam
Peace & respect ★
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