(Photo: Rabiah Hutchinson at Manly Beach, Sydney, by Vanessa Hunter)
Cloak of Silence over us
By Virginia Haussegger
This article first appeared in The Canberra Times, July 18, 2009
Picture this: the place is Cairo, and two Egyptian women are eyeballing each other on the subway. One is dressed from head to toe in a burka, and the other is wearing a hijab. The black clad woman asks the other why she is not wearing a burka. The young woman points to her headscarf and says, “Is this not enough?”
The woman in the burka responds, “If you wanted a piece of candy, would you choose an unwrapped piece or one that came in a wrapper?”“I am not candy”, the younger woman replies. “Women are not candy”.
And with that, Mona Eltahawy, a Muslim feminist who had worn the hijab for nine years, decided to ditch it altogether.
Eltahawy detailed that exchange in a column for the International Herald Tribune in early July in which she added her voice to the call for a ban on the burka.
“I detest the full-body veil, known as the niqab or burqa. It erases women from society and has nothing to do with Islam but everything to do with the hatred for women at the heart of the extremist ideology that preaches it.”
It’s no coincidence that women’s voices, including mine, are rising up in protest against the burka and niqab at this time. Despite the garments sill being rare in Australia, the issue has surfaced because women – and men - have been watching with alarm as this extreme practice of subjugation has enjoyed a revival among pockets of fundamental Islamists. French President Sarkozy’s call for a ban simply wrapped headlines around the issue.
Eltahawy laments a broad ambivalence among her fellow Muslims to speak out against the burka. “They will take on everything – the right wing, Islamophobia, Mr (Jack) Straw, Mr Sarkozy – rather than come out and plainly sate that the burqa is an affront to Muslim women”. She blames the “ultra conservative Salafi ideology”, as practiced in Saudi Arabia, for claiming the high moral ground of piety and purity, and thereby silencing other Muslims.
In Australia I blame a bad case of cultural relativism for our extreme nervousness over tackling the issue. And perhaps a touch of political correctness gone mad.
The public outcry over the burka during these past few weeks is evidence that we need to discuss it. We want to understand what it means to see women in this apparently submissive state, fully shrouded and hidden from view, as she trails behind her husband. The problem is – we don’t know how to talk about it.
The charge of racism or Islamaphobia has shot through cyberspace, on comments to my blog, in letters and emails, with little or no reference to the role of the burka and an examination of what it does to women. Not surprisingly, many Australians place freedom of choice above all other considerations. “It’s her choice, she can wear what she likes”, has been chanted like a mantra. And there’s something reassuring about our fierce defence of the right to “choose”. The problem however, is our cultural aversion to intelligent scrutiny of that choice.
Not all choices are good choices and not all choices are made freely.
Australia’s most flamboyant Muslim, the surfi chick convert, Rabiah Hutchinson, wears the full black niqab with a slit for her eyes. There’s no doubting it’s her own choice. Even her Islamic teacher suggested the ostentatious garb was unnecessary and provocative in Australia. But Rabiah has made a series of provocative and questionable choices, including marrying into Osama bin Laden’s inner circle, and arranging to marrying off her ten year old daughter to a 21 year old man.
The burka and niqab is less about choice for women, and more about conformity to an unyielding system of segregation and subjugation. It highlights a culture of deep divisions and mistrust, in which women have no power outside their home, and men cannot be trusted to look at any women to whom he is not related. The mere sight or shape of women is viewed as a corrupting influence, as she is little more than an object of sex. Within such a system all political, judicial, and religious authority is owned by men. Public space is owned by men. Women have no free agency – at all.
Rather than see women as a moderating and civilizing force in society, those who insist on women wearing the burka and niqab, reduce them to servitude.
The purpose of a ban on the burka is to send an unequivocal message to men that none of this is acceptable in Australia. Here all women are free and equal participants in our society. No woman need cover her face or hide her identity.
This is not about religion, nor is it about piety. Piety is a private thing that doesn’t require layers of candy wrapping to prove itself. This is about power over women.
There is a risk that those women already suffering under the heavy hand of fundamentalism, may be further restricted by a ban on wearing the burka in Australia. But the bigger risk is if we do and say nothing. Our silence is seen as endorsement of a system that debases and humiliates women. We must speak up.
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15 comments:
Bravo Virginia for speaking out against what the burka really means. It is absolutely a tool of oppression while also being a political statement. The burka defines women purely according to their sexuality - those who wear it are pure, those without it are whores who deserve to be raped. It also demeans men by suggesting they cannot control their own urges. All male-female interaction is reduced to a basic level, one that refuses to acknowledge the potential for platonic relationships. At its core, this is a religion that fears human sexuality and seeks to control it.
Whether they mean to or not, the women who wear the burka are broadcasting this offensive philosophy to the rest of us. The fact that some aspire to impose this philosophy on all Australians is very disturbing.
Still, as a feminist I can't support a ban on it. Women should have the right to choice, even if that choice is misguided or stupid. I would say the same for scarf-wearing Brethren or robed Buddhist nuns or even hat-wearing Anglican old ladies - as an atheist I also think those religions treat women badly.
Legislating against this would be wrong and would probably inspire a backlash. Better to bring the coversation into the open and make it known that the burka IS a problem. Being tolerant should not mean censoring criticism where it is merited.
Thanks Ms Naughty. Thanks for such a civil and thoughtful comment (such things are rare!).
I understand - and certainly accept - that some women, feminists included, while agreeing with my sentiment cannot support a ban. But I can't stand in those shoes. As a libertarian I am not comfortable calling for a ban on anything that involves a woman's choice - or even the illusion of 'choice'. But I feel so strongly about this that I guess I'm prepared to loose some skin over it.
I believe a ban is the only way to send a clear and unequivocal message that the system of patriarchy which insists on burkas (burqas) and niqabs seriously subjugates women. And that is just not acceptable. Not sustainable or acceptable.
I am becoming convinced that you are right, Virginia. Initially the word 'ban' blocked my thinking and made it a question of freedom of choice, but actually, it is becoming more obvious to me that the issue is one of removing symbols of oppression, and that there is no real choice for the majority of women who wear the burka. I would like to hear from more Muslim women, though - however, in the meantime can I join you in your crusade to provide them with REAL choice. You have done a wonderful job of putting this issue squarely in front of the public, and making a difficult discussion possible. Thanks. Jenni
Dear Virginia,
Legally, how would such a ban be imposed. For instance, if a woman entered a mall or supermarket in a Burqa, could she be forced to remove the garment, or asked to leave? I wonder how such a ban would be enforced.
Sara I can't answer that question. I think it is up to our legislators to determine how best to implement such a ban.
Exactly how it would be imposed is not as important as the symbolic gesture of stating that the burka and niqab are not acceptable in Australian society, and not to be used in public.
Virginia, I find it hard to believe that you are so doggedly sticking to this very intolerant point of view. Let me quote you:
"extreme practice of subjugation"
- If you mean subjugation by men, have you completely ignored all those women who commented on your other post who said they wore it of their own accord. These people do exist you know. Ignoring them does not help.
"a bad case of cultural relativism for our extreme nervousness over tackling the issue"
- My dearest Virginia, there would no nervousness whatsoever if you wanted to know about the burka, ask about it, disagree with it, dispute it. There is only "nervousness" because your idea of "tackling" it, is to ban it. Banning Cherry Ripe would result in the same nervousness.
"We want to understand what it means to see women in this apparently submissive state, fully shrouded and hidden from view, as she trails behind her husband"
- Another example of this idea of subjugation by men and another example of completely ignoring those for whom men had nothing to do with its wearing. If you want to understand it, why don't you ask these women?
"The problem however, is our cultural aversion to intelligent scrutiny of that choice."
- Banning something is intelligent scrutiny? Are you kidding me?
"Not all choices are good choices and not all choices are made freely."
- A bad choice according to you may be a good choice according to another. And just because someone may be forced into something does not mean that others are.
"But Rabiah has made a series of provocative and questionable choices, including marrying into Osama bin Laden’s inner circle, and arranging to marrying off her ten year old daughter to a 21 year old man."
- So what? I made the choice to smoke marijuana in high school. That has about as much to do with other people's choice to wear the burka as Rabiah's choice of spouse.
" purpose of a ban on the burka is to send an unequivocal message to men"
- Again ignoring the women who choose to wear it. Sounding like a broken record here.
"Piety is a private thing that doesn’t require layers of candy wrapping to prove itself."
- Who are you to say what piety is? What arrogance. Again completely ignoring those women who wear this garment as an act of piety and religiousness.
"This is about power over women."
- No, this is about trivialising the central (namely a person's right to choose) whilst trying to change the subject.
"Our silence is seen as endorsement of a system that debases and humiliates women."
- I think wet T-shirt competitions debase and humiliate women. But you or I have no right to impose our point of view on someone else. And THAT is what this whole argument is about.
I think you are fantastic Virginia and respect that you have voiced what many of my peers and family believe and have believed for many years. It angers me that in Australia, my own country, that if I am near or standing next to a Muslim woman wearing the Burka, that Muslim men will see me as a slut, simply defining me by my genitals and not the whole of me and what I have accomplished. Even when no woman in a Burka is near, I am speculating what Muslim men are thinking of me and my Western clothing and it frightens me. I feel unsafe and ridiculed in my own country due to their backwards beliefs. The Burka highlights how far Western Society has come and how VERY VERY far Islam and Muslim societies has to go.
I also totally agree that Muslims coming to Australia should have to abide by our society's beliefs and remove the Burka just as women visiting their countries would have to adorn a Burka or headscarf.
You should be free to dislike the burqa, to criticise it or even to discriminate against women who wear it by choosing not to associate with them or employ them. However, you go further than that and call for the state to enforce your point of view against them. This is a slippery slope and the cost of having the state enforce women's dress (wheter pro-burqa or anti-burqa) is oppression and totalitarianism.
You might not want to live in a society where you see women covering their bodies in this way, but I do not want to live in a society where our politicians pass laws deciding what women can and cannot wear.
Virginia,
Christie's post demonstrates the kind of atitude that your posts are encouraging.
Full of "my country" and sweeping generalisations about "other than I", this is the pre-cursor to outright racism that has been alluded to in previous posts on your blog.
Cloak of Silence over us? Why Discuss the Burka?
Both of these titles are alluding that no-one wants to talk about it, which is very misleading. The rather healthy backlash you are experiencing comes from people who are anti-ban, not anti-discuss. At the same time these people are not necessarily pro-burka. Cloak of silence? It seems to me that lots of people are discussing it.
On the other hand, if you really consider it, it is you Virginia, who is not willing to talk about it. You've gone straight for the ban. In a nutshell - “I don't know, I don't want to know – Just ban it”. Think about it Virginia, because this summarises what you are saying to the tee.
Discussion on the other hand, is healthy debate. Want to understand it? By all means go up to a burka chick and ask her why she wears it, you might be surprised to learn that she may have an opinion – her own opinion - on the matter. You may end up disagreeing with her, but at least you would have given her a FAIR GO – now that's Australian. You could then discuss, debate – nothing wrong with that. Make her see your point of view, make her see the light of day (sorry just had to throw that one in).
I find it disappointing quite frankly that you have put this “Cloak of silence” spin on the whole story, because it it wholly inaccurate and seeks to create a smokescreen.
Thanks for your constructive discussion Virginia. Please ignore the ad homs.
A couple of comments.
1. Too many commenters thowing in red herrings about the niqab. This arguement is about the burka, not the niqab. I have no problem with the niqab, quite like it actually, but I find the burka repulsive. The key (but not only) important difference is the covering of the face resulting in complete loss of individual identity.
2. Society already has limits on what people can and can't choose to wear. The freedom of women to choose what they want to wear isn't the trump card some commenters are making it out to be. I can't walk around in public naked for example. I also can't walk around wearing a t-shirt with overtly racist or offensive words or images on it.
The burka is offensive to me because of what it presupposes of me as a man. My feeling is that one of the motivations of the wearer is to cover herself so as not to arouse any supposed animalisitic instincts in men. Ironically you could argue that the burka is more offensive to men than to women.
Cheers,
Sean in Brussels.
Well done Virginia.. I fully agree with you. This is a disgrace to humanity and unacceptable. Wearing burka does not illustrate the practice of choice.. Women that wear burka are victims of strong religious inculcations and ideology.
I am afraid that I have reasons to believe that wearing burka is an enforcement or dictated choice by the superiors (men) often the Husbands, then fathers and brothers.
I am a true believer in Equality of Gender, thus one gender having to cover herself and the other indulging him self, isn’t equality.
Burka attracts unnecessary attention and unless you enjoy such attention you shouldn’t wear it. Subjecting your self to burka indicates weakness in intellect and social awareness and not a religious strength. Burka belongs in Islamic countries unfortunately, and we shouldn’t condone it in else where, rather than encouraging the national norms of this country, after all, it is the burka wearer's choice to migrate here, isn’t it.
Burka is good for people who lack confidence and also weak identity. Burka dose not allow for the person who is behind it to be shown, hence the person becomes a "Thing" not a women. Is that a kind of cultural norm we want for our nation? I believe that these women are in desperate or dire need of national restrictions about banning burka, because I believe they don’t want it but they are forced to. This will solve their problems. lets ban burka and make all these burka wearers happy finally.
If the wearing of the burqa is purely an expression of religion and faith, rather than a symbol of female subjugation, can somebody explain why muslim men do not wear a similar garment designed specifically for them?
Frankly speaking, I know that burka is designed as a control mechanism and it has nothing to do with Religion.
Burka condones the inferiority of women. It shows a lack of trust between the people thus a good husband is to protect his wife by policing her burka, but why is it, that those men are the very first group of male species that eye up the women with short skirts and short sleeve shirts??? This begs the questions that why are men free and allowed for what ever their hearts wishes but as long as their wives disguises them in burka.
Australia should not allow such an oxymoronic epidemic or norm, and should any of them feel compelled to uphold such facade, maybe they should go to nations that hold regard for such unhealthy and divisive fashion.
Australia needs to intervene and condemn such a primitive form of expression that is culturally and traditionally driven. Australia is advanced enough to lead the and the rights of women and take grounds on the advancement of women.
The new world economy deserves our assertiveness and sound judgment when it is the cause of shame and humiliation for those poor women.
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