It is completely inappropriate to preach to men that uncovered women are putting themselves out there for attack in a country where the majority of the women are uncovered.
Agreed. He agrees too - the advice he was giving was to Muslim men and women.
There is no correlation between a woman not covering her hair or showing some arm or leg being attacked by men compared to women who cover up completely - especially in a society where most women are uncovered.
Dressing modestly is only part of it - one can act provokatively even when fully covered up. The Quran even addresses this - telling women not to violate the spirit of 'covering' up by rattling their jewellery etc.
Therefore, I argue that the Quran and other holy books are archaic to suggest that women need to cover all of their skin to be protected from men - especially in non-covering cultures.
It's not a question of being protected from men - but a recognition that one can choose to flaunt one's body or choose to share the beauty of the human form only within the marital home
I have lived my whole life as an uncovered woman and I can say that telling women to cover completely to protect them from men is only scaremongering (in uncovering societies at least).
I think you're missing the point here. Muslim women cover up only in the presence of men outside their immediate family - wearing the outer clothing is to give them the freedom to mix in society freely, a liberty that men are not given (i.e. men can't cover up and go into female only areas).
With the debate over the veil etc in the UK, what has been brought forward is people's own insecurities and a negation of the views and feelings of those who do want to cover up.
Islam in the past gave women more rights than other neighbouring civilisatons, but that was in the past. I would say things have regressed.
Islam hasn't changed - women still have the rights under Islam that were given 1500 years ago. The right to own property, inherit wealth, to divorce etc. They also have the added benefit of being held in very high regard and cherished.
Yes, some Muslim women are culturally being abused - but look at women in Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and even Pakistan - women are fully participating in all areas of society from Prime Minister downwards.
It is the same as how all the great Islamic thought of the past that saw many of the world's great inventions was also curtailed by fellow Muslims who wanted strict political and religious power over the population.
No argument here - the 'middle ages of Islam' is what we're going through with politically minded clerics misusing religion in some instances.
I could never truly enjoy life if I were to be barred from having male colleagues, schoolmates, and friends - just to stay locked away for a future husband and protect me from supposed danger.
This exposes your predjudice more than the reality of women who choose to wear the veil. Women wear the veil or hijab when they are mixing in society and in the presence of male colleagues, schoolmantes and friends.
I value my friendships with male friends and find it only natural to work side-by-side with men. I am pleased that I can vote, dress how I like, and pursue any career I like.
So do Iranian, Malaysian etc etc women. Muslim women are pleased they were given rights 1500 years ago that were only given to European women in the 20th Century. We are pleased you have caught up.
Cheers,
Shafique