| The Veil Returns in Surge of Tradition
An article published in Los Angeles Times on May 24, 1997 focused
on the return of the traditional veil, which covers not only the
hair but the entire face, among conservative Arabs of Persian
Gulf. The article quoted a Saudi cleric issuing a fatwa on the veil, saying that "the gates of evil shall open and will
be difficult to shut again" if any man can look into a woman's
eyes. Some women from United Arab Emirates said in an interview
that they consider wearing the veil, or niqab, as their way of being closer to God. Along with piety, reasons
given for wearing the veil include pressure from family and friends
and its current stylishness. The article mentioned that women
have not only taken to wearing the veil but have also stopped
using kohl- an age-old Arab version of eyeliner- around their
eyes because the clerics have declared women's eyes as too alluring.
Dear Editor:
After reading "The Veil Returns in Surge of Tradition (May 24),
about the veil worn by some women in Muslim countries, I feel
compelled to write a response. As an American Muslim woman, I
am becoming weary of seeing the same one-dimensional issue rehashed
in the media. Yes, the veil is worn by some Muslim women, and
if they alone choose to be attired so and they are happy with
their own decision, then more power to them.
Let it be known that the Saudi clerics are relying on their own
male-oriented interpretation of what a woman should wear. These
fatwas are certainly not accepted by all Muslims. I wonder why the more
pressing issues of poverty and illiteracy of Muslim women are
not given the same amount of coverage as the veil.
Fatima Cash,
Muslim Women's League, May 1997
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