Good article on reflecting on the Qur’an by Imam Anwar.

ps. Any update on that comment-tracking feature? i.e. one where you can view all the recent comments made by the shuyukh.

yeah Alhum the French team has a number of Muslims, Eric Abidal married an Algerian sister and also converted taking the name Bilal. Other up and coming stars in the French team include the Karim Benzema (21) of Algerian descent and Samir Nasiri (19) who I’m assuming are both Muslim. The later is supposedly the new Zidane and has apparently signed for Arsenal (Go gunners!). Well most of the European teams fielding Muslims (france, holland..) have been knocked out but we still have Turkey who have shocked even themeselves by getting to the semi finals.

Anyhow most ppl could care less about soccer but I just wanted to add that its amazing how a country like France can field so many Muslims in its Soccer/Football team but is so adamant about imposing restrictions on the Hijab and make life difficult for Muslim Sisters. I just think its sad.

Here’s Riberry Making Dua before a club game

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JI3SXYcAmQk

I find it rather interesting that Muslims will protest that Muslim women are not allowed to wear hijab in places like Turkey or in some parts of France etc..and yet will not protest when Muslim women are forced to wear hijab in places like Saudi or Afghanistan(and by protest I mean actually paint up some signs and gather for a march or something and make it reach the nightly news)….and is some cases pay for it with their lives. It seems only fair that getting upset over forced removal…should also lead to getting upset over forced wearing….because either way a basic human right is being ignored…the right to choose what we wear without fear of reprisals from the govt or from society. Not to mention that even non Muslim women are being forced into wearing it just to quiet the raging beasts of male pride and ego quiet and subdued…

Muslims are hypocrites if they can self righteously protest one form of force(removal) and not the other form of force(wearing)…just my opinion on that.

Its also an Islamic law…if you choose those words…to pray 5 times a day…its a basic pillar of Islam…yet I do not see a law stating that Muslims must pray or be punished(talking about here and now…not later)…I dont see men abusing other men for not rushing to the mosque to pray…I dont see men getting being punished RIGHT HERE AND NOW for the Islamic laws they choose to avoid fullfilling…..so please dont defend it that way. There are plenty of Islamic “musts” that are not enforced nearly as much or at all…as the hijab on women. “The law is being applied properly…”…really? interesting how that law gets applied properly…but so many others dont. Im a Muslim and I dont apologize for Islam as its perfect the way it is….but Muslims need to learn some mercy and forgiveness…not to mention respect for other peoples rights.

coolred38, in Saudia, men are punished for not praying, if they are seen walking on streets while its time for prayer, they are taken to masjid, and then given a lecture afterwards. If the shops dont close, they get fined or shut down completely. There are cities in which imam of masjid keep register for attendance.

Coolred, you obviously missed my point. What I was stressing was people in France or Turkey don’t have the freedom to wear hijab when going to universities or such. Freedoms that sisters in the US, UK and other western countries have. I don’t see how me suggesting its sad that sisters who “choose” to wear the Hijab cannot do so freely in those countries is somehow hypocritical due to what you say the situation in Saudi Arabia is.

First of all Hijab is something that the majority of the Ulama have agreed upon is mandatory. A woman not wearing hijab is undoubtedly committing a sin but she should never be looked down upon by others as we are all sinful and have our own trials and tribulations. I never said for the government to force them to wear hijab, or persecute them if they do not. My point was a country like France where a sizable majority is Muslim is one of the few countries with rigid laws prohibiting Hijab. Turkey a Muslim secular country too has this going on. Essentially I believe the powers in those countries are scared that a woman wearing a headscarf will somehow be intimidating by sending some sort of political message. That’s what I find sad.

Please understand what I was trying to say before accusing me of being a hypocrite

And yes, men are treated more harshly if they do not pray, and so right or wrong, they do enforce all laws that a government can possibly do so.

May I suggest to add 2 people to your panelists:
Umar Lee
Tariq Nelson

Enough said.

Hello Mary,

I am a muslim woman who observes the hijab and the face veil and I have to say I would definately not go seeking employment in a unisex hairsalon in a country like the UK where clearly the norms are different from a predominantly muslim society.
I have to say I totally agree with everything that you have said. I don’t know the reasons why Ms Noah chose to search for employment in a unisex hair salon where it was highly likely she would have to touch male clients’ hair etc, but maybe it was under dire circumstances or last resort to look for work. But from reading the article it seems to me that the issue with Sarah the owner was truly not the fact that she was muslim, but the fact that she coverered her hair, which yes I can see why she would think that it would be detrimental to her business. I assume she would not have had a problem with a muslim who didn’t wear a headscarf.

If Ms Noah had searched for a job which had nothing to do with the need for her hair to be exposed, then yes maybe it would have fallen under the banner of discrimination, but in this case I feel Wedge had every right to turn her down, considering the norm of the society as I pointed out earlier. Although I live in Nigeria which is quite conservative especially in the northern part, I studied for five years in the UK and I know that there were many places where I just wouldnt even bother going to look for a job as I knew the environment would be contradictory to my chosen way of dress. And I do agree with you and also Islam encourages muslims who find it difficult to practice their religion and also everyday duties such as halal employment options, etc, to emigrate to a more acceptable society for them. Islam does not allow for us muslims to impose our ways of living and belief on non muslims especially if we are living in a minority.