Muslim modesty: Head coverings a symbol of faith or oppression? (Mormon Times Article)OPEN

Mormon Times ^ | March 22, 2010 | Nicole Warburton

[greyfoxx39]

Muslim modesty: Head coverings a symbol of faith or oppression?

By Nicole Warburton

Deseret News
Published: 2009-08-22 00:54:18

It is probably one of the most visible and controversial symbols of Islam.

Westerners often view the hijab, or head covering, worn by Muslim women as oppressive. Even among members of the Islamic faith, it is subject of debate.

How should it be worn?

Does it need to be worn?

Is it a choice or requirement?

In recent months, the hijab and other forms of Islamic coverings have come under scrutiny in the media and by politicians. In June, French president Nicolas Sarkozy suggested women who completely cover their faces by wearing burqas are silent prisoners and that the practice is a "debasement of women."

Those comments have translated into debate over why Muslim women cover at all.

For Maysa Kergaye, coordinator of the Utah Islamic Speakers Bureau, the reason to veil is simple: It's a requirement of the Islamic religion. Beyond that, it is something that serves as a reminder of her beliefs and a "shield" to help protect her from doing the wrong things and being in the wrong place.

Kergaye said she does not feel diminished as result of wearing her hijab.

"Islam actually came and liberated women," she said. "It said they are equal and should not be viewed as a piece of meat. They're humans. They are individuals who do not have to sell their body. They should use their brains."

The tradition of women veiling their heads has been around for centuries, even among early Christians, according to Frank Griffel, professor of Islamic Studies at Yale University. The rules for its use among members of the Islamic faith can be found in Sura 24 of the Quran, where both men and women are told to guard their modesty.

In regard to women, it reads: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms." The rest of the scripture clarifies that women only need to cover in front of males who are not family.

Because the verses are not explicit, there are a few Muslims who believe modesty does not require covering, however, religious text clarifies it beyond any doubt, according to Kergaye. Some cultures are more liberal, while others have more conservative methods of dress and types of headscarves.

But in the United States, where Muslims are a clear minority, there are challenges to wearing something as visible as the hijab, according to Sarah Ahmad, a junior at Weber State University and former president of the WSU Muslim Student Association.

She has heard stories of women getting turned down for jobs as result of their head covering. And Ahmad believes people view Muslims who cover their heads differently than if they don't cover.

She currently does not wear a head covering but wants to in the future. She is worried she would experience prejudice.

"I feel that it is something that would add a whole new complexity to what I do," said Ahmad, who grew up in Brigham City. "I question myself if I am ready to do that."

But she doesn't view the covering as oppressive. In fact, her sister Maryam, who is 17, said her parents have encouraged her to wait until she is 18 years old to cover because they don't want people to think she is being forced to do it.

"I know Muslim women in the West, we think it's insulting for people to assume we are forced to wear it," Maryam said. "We don't want people to assume we have no free will. It is our decision."

In her view, wearing a hijab is a way to actually help women focus more on themselves versus outward physical appearance.

People are also more likely to judge a Muslim woman on character versus looks if she dresses modestly, said Maryam.

"Society wants women to have shiny hair, to be thin and have nice skin," she said. "You see teen girls bingeing and throwing up food, suffering from self-esteem issues and I always wonder how that is not a form of oppression."

Jen'nan Read, associate professor of sociology and global health at Duke University, said she believes one of the reasons people have misconceptions about Muslims in the U.S. is because there are so few members of the faith here to fight the myths.

Oftentimes, the only information people have is from the news, where stories frequently run about women who are oppressed as result of cultural practices, not the Islamic faith, Read said.

"The religion has been linked with terrorism and with gender roles," she said. "We all compartmentalize and I think for the average person it is easy to immediately jump to the wrong conclusion."

From her perspective, the key to removing prejudices is for more contact between Muslims and non-Muslims. And in fact, women such as the Ahmad sisters and Kergaye encourage questions.

"Many people have the wrong idea of Islam," said Kergaye. "I'd rather answer a question than have someone go on having the wrong understanding."

[greyfoxx39]

LogophileNot True

We believe that every person who has lived and died -- man, woman, or child -- will be resurrected. It is a free and unconditional gift from God, and cannot be withheld by anyone else.

BUT..."But obedience to the commandments of God is requisite if one is to be resurrected with a celestial body. Laws leading to celestial glory will be discussed at this conference. Our challenge is to learn them and abide by them."

So what about the whole truth, Logophile?

Life After Life LDS.org

This great priesthood power of resurrection is vested in the Lord of this world. He taught that “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). Though he supplicated his Father for aid at the eleventh hour, the final victory over death was earned by the Son. These are his words:

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17–18).

This power he subtly proclaimed when he said unto the Jews:

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. … But he spake of the temple of his body” (John 2:19–21).

The keys of the Resurrection repose securely with our Lord and Master. He said:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).

But obedience to the commandments of God is requisite if one is to be resurrected with a celestial body. Laws leading to celestial glory will be discussed at this conference. Our challenge is to learn them and abide by them.

I thank God for his Son, Jesus Christ, for his mission in mortality, and for his ministry as the resurrected Lord. He brought about his own resurrection. Testimonies of thousands, from ancient and modern times, attest to the truth that the resurrected Jesus is the Savior of mankind. He brought about a universal resurrection: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22; see also Mosiah 3:16).

His sacrifice and his glory assure that “the spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time”

[greyfoxx39]

Being "resurrected" does not equate to being "saved" in mormonism. Their "saved" is "exaltation" and ONLY available to souls that have either alive or dead, been baptized and confirmed as members of the mormon church, and subjected to all the rituals and requirements demanded therin.

The Three Degrees of Glory

As the Prophet Joseph Smith was laboring on what we now call the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, he received a vision later recorded as Doctrine and Covenants section 76. Included in this revelation is a comparison of the three degrees of glory: the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. Following is a brief description of each.

The Celestial Kingdom

The Lord compared celestial glory to that of the sun, “even the glory of God, the highest of all” (D&C 76:70; see also D&C 76:96). Those who will inherit this kingdom must do the following:

• Receive a testimony of Jesus and believe on His name (see D&C 76:51).

• Be baptized by immersion (see D&C 76:51).

• Receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (see D&C 76:52).

• Obey the commandments and be washed and cleansed of all sins (see D&C 76:52).

• Overcome by faith (see D&C 76:53).

• Be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 76:53).

Those who qualify for the celestial kingdom will receive, among other blessings:

• Be of a company of angels, of the general assembly and church of Enoch and of the Firstborn (see D&C 76:54, 67).

• Receive the fulness, glory, and grace of the Father (see D&C 76:55, 56, 94).

• Be priests and kings of the Most High God (see D&C 76:56–59).

• Overcome all things (see D&C 76:60).

• Dwell forever in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).

• Be with Christ at the time of His Second Coming (see D&C 76:63).

• Come forth in the First Resurrection (see D&C 76:64–65).

• Go up unto Mount Zion and unto the heavenly city of God (see D&C 76:66).

• Minister to terrestrial and telestial beings (see D&C 76:87–88).

• Be able to have offspring, or in other words, gain the right to become eternal parents (see D&C 131:4).

The Lord further revealed the important doctrines of salvation for the dead and salvation of little children in the celestial kingdom:

“All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

“Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; …

“… All children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven” (D&C 137:7–8, 10). Except for those whose mental abilities prevent them from reaching the age of accountability (see D&C 29:50), the age of accountability is eight (see D&C 68:25).

We do not know much about who will inherit two of the three degrees within the celestial kingdom. However, much has been said about the highest level in the celestial kingdom, or exaltation, because that is where the Father wants all of His children to live (see Moses 1:39). The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that temple marriage is the key to obtaining exaltation:

“In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;

“And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];

“And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

“He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase” (D&C 131:1–4).

“If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; … and if [they] abide in my covenant …

“Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting … because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them” (D&C 132:19–20).

More at above link.

[Logophile]

I am not surprised you could not provide a reference in one of our "sacred books," as you called them.

You linked to an article by the professional anti-Mormon Sandra Tanner; but she does not provide a relevant reference to our standard works either.

In fact, Sandra Tanner admits in her opening sentence that "The LDS Church teaches that at the end of the world everyone will be resurrected."

[Logophile]

So what about the whole truth, Logophile?

What about it? The statement was made that a husband could prevent a wife from being resurrected. I stated that such is not the case.

Latter-day Saint doctrine is that every person who has lived and died -- man, woman, or child -- will be resurrected. It is a free and unconditional gift to all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and cannot be withheld by a spouse, other family members, friends, or anyone else.

If we cannot agree on such a simple and straightforward doctrine, there is little point talking about what happens after the resurrection.

[SkyDancer]

Funny that non-Mormons know more about what goes on in LDS theology than Mormons .... lots of your stuff is given in talks or other writings by your so-called prophets ... and the Tanners are not anti-Mormon. A statement all LDS followers like to use when their theology is questioned.

[Logophile]

Funny that non-Mormons know more about what goes on in LDS theology than Mormons ....

Alas, much of what non-Mormons think they know is simply not true.

Even Sandra Tanner admits that, according to LDS doctrine, all will be resurrected. No man can withhold that from his wife. Will you at least grant that much?

[SkyDancer]

Well I got that first hand from a Mormon. I lived with a Mormon family for almost two years - the house was a magnet home where missionary’s could come for some family time, have their clothes done and a good home-cooked meal. We had plenty of discussions and this was one that came up ... I think you should delve into what really is going on in the LDS church and read the writings of your prophets .... really ....

[greyfoxx39]

If we cannot agree on such a simple and straightforward doctrine, there is little point talking about what happens after the resurrection.

Well, most folks are interested in what happens "after resurrection".

I said in my post 41: "BUT..."But obedience to the commandments of God is requisite if one is to be resurrected with a celestial body. Laws leading to celestial glory will be discussed at this conference. Our challenge is to learn them and abide by them."

...pointing out with source the fact that what non-mormons might consider "resurrection" is quite different from "being resurrected with a celestial body", which can ONLY be done according to mormon doctrine by meeting certain conditions.

Your statement "Latter-day Saint doctrine is that every person who has lived and died -- man, woman, or child -- will be resurrected. It is a free and unconditional gift to all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and cannot be withheld by a spouse, other family members, friends, or anyone else." completely skirts the issue that according to mormon doctrine the "free and unconditional gift to all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ," is not enough for a soul to make it into the mormon "heaven".

If you are going to post "milk" be prepared to have a little "meat" served alongside it. I didn't even mention that mormons believe Atonement" happened in Gethsemane rather than on the Cross.

[Logophile]

Well I got that first hand from a Mormon.

Just one?

[Colofornian]

Your statement "Latter-day Saint doctrine is that every person who has lived and died -- man, woman, or child -- will be resurrected. It is a free and unconditional gift to all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and cannot be withheld by a spouse, other family members, friends, or anyone else." completely skirts the issue that according to mormon doctrine the "free and unconditional gift to all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ," is not enough for a soul to make it into the mormon "heaven".

More importantly, the Mormon version of the "atonement" doesn't even address the primary outcome of it! Full reconciliation with God!

The very word "atonement" was developed as a combo word -- at-one-ment -- meaning harmony, reconciliation. Mormons say, "See, we're giving away atonement to all!" -- yet when you ask them who will living forever in the presence of the Father -- is that "all?" (Nope)

They limit the honor of living in the Father's presence not only to Mormons, but temple Mormons.

So much for "reconciliation" for all -- it's outright deception!

[SkyDancer]

Read the rest of the post ... a family ......it was a plural statement ... “I lived with a Mormon family and ......” I couldn’t state Mormons although it was the case when you’re sitting around chatting about LDS theology ....

[colorcountry]

From lds.org under the heading of Salvation. (which goes on to explain that Mormons use the word "salvation" in many different ways)

Eternal Life, or Exaltation. In the scriptures, the words saved and salvation often refer to eternal life, or exaltation (see Abraham 2:11). Eternal life is to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and dwell with Them forever—to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (see John 17:3; D&C 131:1–4; 132:21–24). This exaltation requires that men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and that all Church members make and keep sacred covenants in the temple, including the covenant of eternal marriage. If the word salvation is used in this sense, no one is saved in mortality. That glorious gift comes only after the Final Judgment.

[GOPJ]

There aren’t enough body parts on a woman to cover - or “shame up” to cover for the horrible way Muslim men act.

[Logophile]

Well, most folks are interested in what happens "after resurrection".

And I am more than happy to talk to anyone who is interested in the subject.

If we can agree that (according to LDS doctrine) everyone will be resurrected, then we can proceed to discuss LDS teachings regarding the Final Judgement.

It would be interesting to compare and contrast LDS teachings with traditional Christian theology.

[LadyDoc]

for years, Christian woman wore veils or head coverings after marriage , out of modesty...and according to local custom.

by Canon law, Catholic women are still supposed to cover their head in church...

The Amish and Mennonite women still wear a modest bonnet.

[Logophile]

More importantly, the Mormon version of the "atonement" doesn't even address the primary outcome of it! Full reconciliation with God!

Actually, we do address that as well.

The very word "atonement" was developed as a combo word -- at-one-ment -- meaning harmony, reconciliation. Mormons say, "See, we're giving away atonement to all!" -- yet when you ask them who will living forever in the presence of the Father -- is that "all?" (Nope)

Yes, I am aware of the meaning of the word. And no, we do not say that all will be reconciled with God or live in the presence of the Father.

We do say that the offer of reconciliation is presented to everyone, without exception. As you know, God is no respecter of persons. We are sadly aware that not everyone will accept.

[reaganaut]

We believe that every person who has lived and died — man, woman, or child — will be resurrected. It is a free and unconditional gift from God, and cannot be withheld by anyone else.

- - - - - —
This is what Mormons mean when they say they believed they are ‘saved by grace’. Saved to Mormons = resurrection. Getting back into the presence of God the Father requires works and LDS church membership.

The husbands are still the ones who call their wives forth, that is the point of him calling her through the veil at the temple (at least prior to the 1990 changes).

[reaganaut]

I have not found in them any hint that a man can determine whether his wife is resurrected.

- - - - - -
Temple rituals (which aren’t in the LDS scriptures either).

I can post a link to the text if you would like?

[reaganaut]

Though he supplicated his Father for aid at the eleventh hour, the final victory over death was earned by the Son.

- - - - - - -

This is OFFENSIVE beyond belief. Christ EARNED it?!?!

[reaganaut]

The statement was made that a husband could prevent a wife from being resurrected.

- - - - - -
She does need him (or did) to call her forth to the Celestial Kingdom. Back to the Temple endowment. And I know many LDS men who hold that over their wives head.

Also, FWIW, Sandra Tanner’s sources and writings are impeccable and better than many LDS authors. I have vetted the Tanners sources myself.