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what's this? "For equality, ban the hijab..."
Not so recent now, as it was when I wrote this essay, but the arguments are still relevant. What do you think about the issue?
Recently, in Australia, Liberal back-bencher, Bronwyn Bishop, has made a suggestion that the hijab should be banned in public schools due to equality. Also, she argued for the ban because it brought back the implication that Muslim women were under oppression in Australia. However, I believe that such a ban is utterly ridiculous. Our country is known for its multiculturalism, a ban would contradict this. Also, connecting to racism is discrimination, discrimination of the Muslim religion. Speaking of religion, wearing the hijab respects the Muslim women’s religion and also shows respect to the Muslim men. How far will the ban go? Banning Christmas Carols in kindergartens? The hijab makes the women more comfortable in their day-to-day lives, who are we to destroy that?
To begin with, Australia boasts of its multiculturalism with great glee, yet when a matter similar to the hijab issue arises, Australian representatives can only think of their own values. Australia may have their own values, but no matter what colour or race, every Australian citizen should respect and abide by them. There's no need for singling out Muslim women because they cover up a little. If anything, we should respect that. The hijab is simply just an expression of their culture. However, apparently wearing the hijab contradicts Australian values. I'd be interested to know what values they are. Doesn't putting a ban in place contradict our multi-cultural society? Australia's representatives should not represent racism and discrimination. Australia is seen as a free, lucky and accepting country. If the hijab were banned - along with any other religious symbol - no longer would we be viewed as any one of those three things.
On that same track, banning other religious symbols? What is our world coming to? Seriously, how low will they go? In the article, "For equality, ban the hijab in public schools," written by Leslie Cannold on August 31, 2005 and printed in The Herald Sun, she says, "...banning conspicuous religious symbols in schools, Jewish and Muslim holy days should join Christmas and Easter as official school holidays." Well, excuse me Leslie, but why should religious holy days be celebrated as holy days if students are not allowed to wear a cross, crucifix, hijab or any other item of clothing or piece of jewellery symbolizing their religion? Reject what the French Government think, Australia! We don't need to be sheep, come on Ms. Bishop, have a mind of your own! How far is this really going to go? We all know sitting on Santa's lap and singing Christmas Carols at kindergarten for our parents was one of that years highlights. What's next? Banning open-toed shoes in public places? It’s entirely unnecessary to ban the hijab. Does it harm anybody? No. Does it offend anybody? No.
Wearing the hijab for a Muslim women’s means a lot more than just wearing a hat to any Western women. It shows respect for their religion, themselves and men. A young Christian woman wearing revealing clothing makes it extremely difficult for a young man of that same faith to stay pure, genuine and not be tempted into sexual lust. The hijab, for the Muslim religion, has the same kind of temptation if not worn. As Australians, maybe Catholic, maybe Atheist, we may not understand why or how, but personally, I don't believe any of us have the right to discriminate against it. If they don't want to flaunt themselves, we can't force them. Not wearing the hijab is uncomfortable to them because the hijab is more than a piece of cloth. Perhaps you don't feel comfortable going down the street without lipstick or a little bit of foundation to cover up blotches, it’s precisely the same with the hijab. Imagine if all the make-up was banned. What a riot would arise from the majority of women in the most countries around the globe! Banning the hijab for Muslim women in Australia would create more anger and enemies rather than anything else.
To put in place a ban of the hijab in public schools is wrong. It promotes exactly what Australia is not. What it does promote is racism, discrimination and complete stupidity. There's never been and issue about wearing the hijab before, what has changed since then? Attempting the ban would never work anyway - too many people would object and too many enemies would be made. I strongly believe that it is just plain wrong to ban the hijab, a valued item of clothing, for Muslim girls in public schools.
Recently, in Australia, Liberal back-bencher, Bronwyn Bishop, has made a suggestion that the hijab should be banned in public schools due to equality. Also, she argued for the ban because it brought back the implication that Muslim women were under oppression in Australia. However, I believe that such a ban is utterly ridiculous. Our country is known for its multiculturalism, a ban would contradict this. Also, connecting to racism is discrimination, discrimination of the Muslim religion. Speaking of religion, wearing the hijab respects the Muslim women’s religion and also shows respect to the Muslim men. How far will the ban go? Banning Christmas Carols in kindergartens? The hijab makes the women more comfortable in their day-to-day lives, who are we to destroy that?
To begin with, Australia boasts of its multiculturalism with great glee, yet when a matter similar to the hijab issue arises, Australian representatives can only think of their own values. Australia may have their own values, but no matter what colour or race, every Australian citizen should respect and abide by them. There's no need for singling out Muslim women because they cover up a little. If anything, we should respect that. The hijab is simply just an expression of their culture. However, apparently wearing the hijab contradicts Australian values. I'd be interested to know what values they are. Doesn't putting a ban in place contradict our multi-cultural society? Australia's representatives should not represent racism and discrimination. Australia is seen as a free, lucky and accepting country. If the hijab were banned - along with any other religious symbol - no longer would we be viewed as any one of those three things.
On that same track, banning other religious symbols? What is our world coming to? Seriously, how low will they go? In the article, "For equality, ban the hijab in public schools," written by Leslie Cannold on August 31, 2005 and printed in The Herald Sun, she says, "...banning conspicuous religious symbols in schools, Jewish and Muslim holy days should join Christmas and Easter as official school holidays." Well, excuse me Leslie, but why should religious holy days be celebrated as holy days if students are not allowed to wear a cross, crucifix, hijab or any other item of clothing or piece of jewellery symbolizing their religion? Reject what the French Government think, Australia! We don't need to be sheep, come on Ms. Bishop, have a mind of your own! How far is this really going to go? We all know sitting on Santa's lap and singing Christmas Carols at kindergarten for our parents was one of that years highlights. What's next? Banning open-toed shoes in public places? It’s entirely unnecessary to ban the hijab. Does it harm anybody? No. Does it offend anybody? No.
Wearing the hijab for a Muslim women’s means a lot more than just wearing a hat to any Western women. It shows respect for their religion, themselves and men. A young Christian woman wearing revealing clothing makes it extremely difficult for a young man of that same faith to stay pure, genuine and not be tempted into sexual lust. The hijab, for the Muslim religion, has the same kind of temptation if not worn. As Australians, maybe Catholic, maybe Atheist, we may not understand why or how, but personally, I don't believe any of us have the right to discriminate against it. If they don't want to flaunt themselves, we can't force them. Not wearing the hijab is uncomfortable to them because the hijab is more than a piece of cloth. Perhaps you don't feel comfortable going down the street without lipstick or a little bit of foundation to cover up blotches, it’s precisely the same with the hijab. Imagine if all the make-up was banned. What a riot would arise from the majority of women in the most countries around the globe! Banning the hijab for Muslim women in Australia would create more anger and enemies rather than anything else.
To put in place a ban of the hijab in public schools is wrong. It promotes exactly what Australia is not. What it does promote is racism, discrimination and complete stupidity. There's never been and issue about wearing the hijab before, what has changed since then? Attempting the ban would never work anyway - too many people would object and too many enemies would be made. I strongly believe that it is just plain wrong to ban the hijab, a valued item of clothing, for Muslim girls in public schools.
posted by charlotte @ 7:58 PM
2 Comments:
I read this and couldnt help myself smiling. Finally someone who sees sense! I completely agree with this post and look forward to reading more.
Min xx
no there's no ban in the UK, I don't think the government would even dare considering it lol :) yeah im still working on organising the three-part blog now.. progress has halted as my computer's dead and im borrowing one to do coursework on. Post your poems and songs and things, it's great to get feedback! I lost all my comments in the great reorganisation though lol.
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