February 11, 2011
Rhonda Yocum
In Baghdad women still are subject to a very patriarchal controlled society. In the middle of Baghdad stands a raised stage between two shops with mannequins dressed in Western clothes and modest to most peoples prospectives. The banner draped across the foot of the stage reads "Whoever fills his eyes with the forbidden, on judgment day God will fill them with fire." Many of the men brought out their wives and children to view this scene as a reminder of the way they should behave. Many women believe this is a good thing and that maybe it will frighten women and they will stop wearing Western clothes.
It appalls me that in the same article men admit to looking at the women dressed in Western clothes. Why should the women be punished because of men not keeping their emotions under control? Maybe the men should have to be covered too. Women's clothing is seen more as a chess game between religious values and a once secular society. No one is enforcing the wearing of the veil at this time but displays like this are thought by some to harass women and make them less human.
The women are feeling pressured to cover themselves and the mosque are offering free scarves to women who agree to cover themselves so not to insight men’s imaginations. Mysoon Ibrahim says they are becoming like Iran but she still wears perfume and tight jeans even though scarves and abayas predominates the city. Men feel that women are getting non-Muslim ideas and putting men at moral risk. It is amazing how a man’s wondering eye becomes the women’s fault. Hopefully in my life time women will not but considered sub-humans.
http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/view?q=women%20bagdad%20&a=JiYs_PZmeImEtM
1 comment:
You're right, they just need to stop blaming the women for whatever they can't keep in check.
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