Chador Etiquette for Tourists- Pakistan

I am a new muslim, married in Pakistan- I guess I am a moderate and yes I have read the Qoran, Do I pray- not as often as I should- in a formal sense and all the time in an informal sense. Am I a changed person - not really . I was a moderate Christian and we all ( whether we acknowledge it or not) fall under the control of one god which according to Islamic belief means we are all under Islam and Muslims acknowledge that there is only one God, recognize Mohommad (Peace be upon him) as god's last messenger, pray five times a day, give alms and if they can afford make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their life.

So as a Muslim in Pakistan I have adopted some of the local customs - as appropriate to the culture and concept of Islam. At Home I wear T shirts - discard my chador and Relax, In Islamabad I don a dupatta ( small shawl draped across the chest) - puttining it across my head for prayer and prayer call, In my village I wear my Chador ( literal translation sheet - shawl) on my head, when driving in GilgitI switch to a licra head scarf and dupatta which allows me to drive without the confinement of a chador. When its hot I dunk it in water for natural air conditioning especially in dry areas. I use it for picnics, as a curtain in hotels, to protect me and my children from the sun and unhygenic surfaces, for emergency clean ups, as a dress up toy for my young kids and any number of uses- including occasional baby hammock, grass collector, laundry collector, worlds biggest hankie ( gross)- how did I ever survive without an extra 2.5 metres of cloth?

Anyway - people think of the chador or burqa as a restriction on women however it in fact works as an enabling tool- where womens movement or behaviour is limited. The magic cloak of respectability - gives anominity, protects from embarrassing stares and allows for acepted movement. In fact women who do not use burqas/ chadors are often confined to their homes in strict seclusion from all men but family members. So if you think of it as an enabling tool for women in restrictive cultures - it is a blessing. I have seen it also used to enable women to willingly or unwillingly anonymously partake in unaccepted behaviours such as affairs and even prostitution - in more than one country.

So this littler video shows you how to don a chador and is a guide for women who may travel to Pakistan, as the Chador is an enabling tool for any women travelling in restrictive cultures - you will be amazed at the different receptions that you get when donning local dress and a dupatta and Chjador - even in the capital Happy Travels.

Don't be sorry when you see women in burqahs and chadors, be sorry when you don't see them and only see men.

If you are a women interested in a village homestay in Northern Pakistan then this could be arranged with an English speaking Pakistain female guide/mentor, clean drinking water, seperate and hygenic cooking facilities and modern bathroom facilities where you can be guided on many of the things you might not discuss with a male travel guide - cooking lessons etc all possible

lifeadventuretours@yahoo.com

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[Tengaimango]

thanks, that was very informative...cheers

[KateWu2]

I love that doubled and split style, especially with small children and out bike riding...

[goknur1977]

Salamu Alaikum! You sound like you have an Aussie accent. I am Turkish Australian, married to a Pakistani. Thank you for your great video :)

[faro0485]

Mashallah, nice video. /watch?v=MHhDgT5SFBs

[TheSallu1983]

Thats Really Nice

[TheSallu1983]

Nice instructions about Chador

[keri3048]

Sister, luv your video. plus the aussie accent. I went to Pakistan about ten years ago with my husband. It's definitely important to wear it over there. I accidently walked towards the male prayer room at Karachi airport. I didn't read the signs. Luckily my husband stopped me from entering. It was funny. And thanks for showing how to wear the dupatta in various ways.

[manjfs5136]

Nice video- Welcome to Islam- Honored to have you visit in Pakistan ....

[mark12345678965]

thats what all about , what west calls as slavery of women, do any one really think it was slavery or do you think it was a safty net for the women from evil men.

[AndreyPurtov]

black sheep ))