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Dear all, selams:
Responding to Brother F:
I did not attend the recent ISNA Convention in CHicago but I understood from
several speakers who did attend that there is a clearly developing progressive
movement (relatively speaking) which includes more women speakers etc etc....
hey it is one step at a time. There is always a threat of a backlash
anyway.... educating the community is key, and I have in the recent past found their
conventions to be useful, fairly inclusive etc.
The whispering about CAIR and ISNA and ICNA etc is hurtful-- pressure to
reform is one thing-- but the Steve Emerson stuff is dishonest and irresponsible.
It is not one hundred per cent wrong but it throws the baby out with the
bathwater, that's for sure.
As far as homophobia--I think all phobias need to be exposed for what they
are. Some traditions will continue to make distinctions and discriminate
according to certain criteria, which seems valid as long it is not coerced (ie there
is no compulsion in religion, etc) Anyway I fear that in wider US society
that the gay marriage issue will be used by the right as a wedge or some other
tool to defeat democrat hopes in the next election..... without a new president
I think little positive change is possible.
Anyway, re the hijab issue-- the forcing of hijabs or the forcing off of
hijabs.... I am against the force aspect. I wonder if someone knows of Fatwas or
other "authoritative" statements that clarify that hijab and/or headcovering
is optional-- it remains to my mind an issue of conscience, but I am weary of
hearing of this Egyptian Fatwa-- there are other ways of countering this
outmoded appraoch to immigrant "assimilation"......
peace,
Adem
RE ALSO
Title of Fatwa
Hijab in France: Muslims' Role
Date of Fatwa
18/ December/ 2003
Date of Reply
18/ December/ 2003
Topic Of Fatwa
Hijab
Question of Fatwa
In light of the pressure faced by French Muslims with regard to hijab, what
do you say regarding the issue? Your opinion is very much appreciated.
Name of Mufti
GroupofMuftis
Content of Reply
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His
Messenger.
Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you
place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His Cause and render
our work for His Sake.
Muslims in France should try their best to pressure public opinion to change
the prospective law may ban hijab in schools. They should consider that
banning of hijab is a challenge to their identity in that country. Whatever steps
they take, they should apply wisdom in their approach, as resorting to stern
measures is not a viable solution.
Responding to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic
scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the
following:
"As Muslims, we must stand up and fight for our rights by using all the
constitutional and legal means open to us. By enacting such an unjust law, they are
undermining the very spirit of the founding principles of their nation. So we
must use all available means open to us to get this law changed.
To give in and resign to unjust laws is tantamount to surrendering our faith.
So we have no choice but to join forces with all others who are against such
unjust laws and get them changed. By trusting in Allah and working diligently
and in solidarity with all fellow citizens on this matter, ultimately we will
be the winners. Remember the stories of Prophets as told in the Qur'an that
teach us that Allah's Assistance is near to those who excel in their efforts. So
never give up the struggle. Allah says: "Those who strive for Our sake, We
shall surely guide them unto Our ways!"" (Al-`Ankabut: 69).
Moreover, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Member of the European Council for Fatwa and
Research and the Fiqh Council of North America, adds:
"We must explain to the public and authorities that unlike wearing large
crosses or other religious symbols, the case of hijab is different in at least
three ways:
1. It is not a matter of religious symbolism, but it is a command of Allah to
Muslim women, and it is part of their religious practice, not symbolism.
2. Muslim women who choose to observe that religious practice are not doing
that to challenge the political system, but to practice their due religious
freedom, which is by no means intended to hurt others or make any political
statements.
3. The nature of Islam as a religion is such that the practice of modesty
includes both private and public life. This is part of secularism, not to promote
religion or oppress it for that matter.
Muslims should never accept that any non-Muslim define for them what their
religion is or demand that they give up their religious belief and practice that
does not infringe on others' freedom. All measures should be done firmly but
peacefully and articulately.
When opponents of hijab refer to the principle of equality as one of the
bases of the French Republic, they should also refer to freedom as another
legitimate foundation of the French Republic.
May Allah help you with this hard test of faith."