Thanks to my classmate Julia, I recently read an article from National Geographic explaining Turkey's lift on its ban of the Islamic headscarf, formally known as the hijab, for women who work in government or civil service jobs. The article discusses both the past and present regulations relating to the hijab and explains why such restrictions were enforced in the first place. While the ban on the Islamic headscarf was created in order to separate religion from the government and create a modern, secular state, recent changes illustrate a shift in political mindset. Such government choices, however, have sparked debate and represent the challenges of appropriately balancing religion, politics and appearance.
While some are fearful that this recent legislation demonstrates a shift towards an Islamic state, others view it as a necessary reform for human rights. These actions show how prevalent appearance is in our world today, as well as the political implications that go hand-in-hand with this meaningful and significant religious item. As a reader, this article challenged me to question the line between the religious significance of the hijab and the political implications that come with the implementation of or restriction from the Islamic headscarf. I believe that this challenge in thinking relates to my own identity and perspective of appearance, since I have never had to deal with the idea of the government playing such a large role in the determination of what I am allowed to wear.
Ultimately, I have come to the conclusion that the best way to fully experience and know one's self is through freedom of choice. I believe that it is difficult to fully understand who you are without having the choice of how to express yourself. Through such freedom, important ideas including acceptance can be illuminated. While I recognize the opposite side in the argument and other's fear that allowing headscarves will disrupt the secular nation of the state, I believe that appearance is a subject that everyone should have the choice in constructing for themselves in order to truly understand one's identity.
As a blogger, I hope that this post provoked thoughts and challenged you to question how dress defines who we are, as well as allowed you to think more deeply and develop newer perspectives on the religious and political ramifications of appearance. I welcome you to share your opinions and ideas!
I'm very much in agreement with your conclusion that forms of freedom of expression, clothing, necessitate freedom of choice for the individual. Unfortunately, as you recognise in your post, not all people of the world are afforded such 'luxuries,' so to speak. In particular, one of the most restricted groups in society is women. That which is important is the ability to identify what entity really enforces the restrictions. Does it tend to be the state? I'd argue that historically this is true but that the state itself is not responsible; rather, religion through government or through social pressure has historically had a remarkable influence on what is considered socially acceptable and what can be reasonable considered as freedom of expression. The ban on the hijab, I contend, is actually a release for women. It gives them freedom from religious pressure. Islam is notorious for infringements upon women's rights and their ability to express themselves freely; before a secularization of society, religion often dictates in what manner people can and cannot express themselves. Of course such a mindset cannot be fairly extended to all Muslims, but the religion itself quite indisputably denies women equality for freedoms of expression. Whereas the state presents de jure inhibitions on freedom of expression, the religious presence in society often thereon presents de facto inhibitions, and it is important to consider those as well when deciding what is ideal.
ReplyDeleteUntil reading the referenced article and the blogger's response to the law,I was under the impression that the Islamic Headscarves were a form of control over women in a male dominated society. I now see that this is a misconception. From the Turkish Muslim women's perspective, it is about modesty, faith, and the upholding of tradition. Efforts toward becoming a nonsecular state limited these women the freedom to express their religious customs in government-run facilities. I believe Turkey's lifting of the ban is a step in the right direction in that the government is now, in a sense, embracing freedom of religion instead of eliminating it altogether.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leah. I think that if anything this reform will help to improve the government system in that it shows the government's willingness to compromise and its tolerance towards religions. I understand that there is possibility that this could lead to a religious government but showing tolerance of a religion does not necessarily mean enforcing that religion and running a government around it. This definitely seems to be a good move for the Turkish government and I believe that it will bring positive results and feedback from the Islamic community.
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