The Veil. Unveiled.

The Veil has been always been so alluring, so mysterious. Is the Veil spiritual...or erotic? Does it signify modesty...or oppression?

In the Muslim world, the hijab -- or the "Veil," as it's referred to in the West -- may be a simple headscarf, or cover a woman from head to toe. But whatever its form, the veil has taken on a multitude of meanings -- perhaps much more than was ever intended.
Today, the veil carries a strong political message and raises feminist and cross cultural issues. In this post 9/11 era, with the spotlight on the Middle East and Islam, it's a symbol that can't be ignored. And if we in the West ever hope to understand the Muslim world, peeking behind that Veil will unveil a culture that has been so dark and mysterious to most of us.
It's time to look behind that Veil, to reveal what it means to the women who wear it, and to the men who see it.
It's time to explore what it means to the culture of the Middle East, and to a post 9/11 Western society.
Do the women who wear the Veil choose to?
Or because they are forced to?
Behind each Veil, perhaps, is a different answer:

Today, there is a new kind of woman wearing the Veil. It's an obvious phenomenon on the rise in the past decade. In non-Muslim countries -- in Europe, Canada, and the US, young women who might be more prone to sporting tattoos and I-pod earpieces, are donning the veil in increasing numbers. Is it just for spiritual or religious reasons? ... . Or a form of non-violent defiance to the new system and the norm..... Or, is it about submission?




-PART ONE- "THE VEIL DIARIES"

The Veil Diaries will take us inside the lives of 5 young Muslim women in America today. As they open their personal diaries and speak out for the first time, they will share their most intimate feelings, daily struggles and personal lives, shedding light on this dark and often misunderstood subject.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• veil
• america
• scarf
• islam
• hijab
• controversy
• muslim
• women
• rights
• new
• fashion
• arab
• trend
• usa
• religion
• middle-east
• sexuality

[BluePyramid777]

Interesting perspective

[gulsbyjag]

I'm doing a survey. What is the most beautiful Muslim country to live in the total way of life that some say Islam is?

[BluePyramid777]

Keep me posted with your survey results.

I would be very interested. Thanks.

[BluePyramid777]

I don't totally agree with that, but it's an interesting thought though!

[Penelope238]

Very interesting....although a couple of the young women that converted to Islam seem to be steeped in an ultraliberal sort of hippie mentality - I think they would get a rude awakening when confronted with traditional beliefs...

[letusnukeit]

is there a continuation of this? i quite enjoy it, mashallah

[MoeSidd]

as a theologian::1in islam a veil is mandatory, however, this is only if the government is a muslim govt.,otherwise its by choice. 2 the eyes should not be covered (saudi style veil, not afghani style),3 when in public for e.g on the streets it is mandatory however you must identify yourself by uncovering the face for govt. authorities e.g. police, security, & when having pictures taken for id cards, and uncover face in private/public premises, buildings to avoid discomfort of others ... also

[jethromayham]

Its Ok with me but a full veil is not too cool because they would hard to be identified in a bank robbery..

A burgka, absolutely not for security reasons.

How do we know she isn't wearing a bomb belt or even a mini-machine gun into court.

[kauasz]

Nice documentary... Is it (or would be) available for watching in full? (I assume it's kind of trailer, being only 8 minutes of one part)

[aasiyahAdam]

iam a revert to islam,took me 2years wear hijab at 1st didnt belive i had too. the more i gain more knowledge in islam, i knew i had to MarshaAllah,i cant image me taking off the hijab. i got lot grief from parents n friends,jus makes me stronger, i like covering up even in summer,to me hell hotter. xx

[k1a1t1h1y1]

some of this is bullshit, covered, uncovered in Egypt, nothing scary about it. Egypt is not Saudi Arabia.

[numbaonemiss]

i beg to differ. submission to Allah is obeying his commands. i believe that getting married and having sexual contact with your spouse falls in line with His will for us. can't speak for all nuns but some of them claim to be righteous, but are getting pregnant and dumping fetuses under the convent. they are also doing this while wearing a "wedding band" to symbolize their dedication to Christ. *smile* stop being so judgemental when you don't know what your talking about.

[rachelallencamus]

yes, and what of paul's verse: 'pray unceasingly'?

[rachelallencamus]

from an Orthodox Christian: amen. you cannot be a muslim or a christian according to "how I understand it." there is the one true faith, and there is the tradition of the Church (in my case, or the Koran in your case), and either you submit or you do not.

[curlykasimir]

if women are covered, men should also be covered like them. religions are sexist. men can also get lustful looks and they can also be raped by the opposite gender. what about the lack of vitamin D? if there would be god, he would say not to cover your body cause then you wont get vitamin D from being exposed on the sun. pills are crap, they dont help. you must be on the sun to get the vitamin D. I feel really sad when they have to hide their body, even when being on the beach in middle east.