Between Burqa and Bikini

No, we're not talking about the ingenious, yet pointless "burqini". I don't even think that the title reflects what's in the post, but it sounds good, so live with it. Now, I'd like to bring your attention to a more serious topic, which may or may not be related to the spreading Islamophobia in Europe. On June 5, 2008, the Constitutional Court in Turkey reinstated a ban against hijab in universities on the secular constitutional grounds. Further reading (and by "further reading I was referring to wikipedia) reveals that similar controversies on "Islamic" dress are raging throughout the continent.

First of all, let's make my position clear. In the debate between pro-hijab vs pro-choice, I firmly stand on the pro-choice's side. I do so because faith is a personal thing and no authority should be allowed to mess with one's faith. If one chooses to wear the hijab because she wants to, not because she's forced to, it is her right to practice what she believes in; so is the case if one chooses not to wear it.

With that in mind, I strongly question the banning of hijab in many European regions. Europe, a continent which can boast itself as a human rights leader, is traditionally an open society where one is free to practice his/her faith, or at least that's what I perceive so far. Europeans can accept bikinis, toplessness, and even nudity in some cases. So, why can't they accept that some members of their society chooses to wear the hijab? Besides, Catholic nuns in the region wears their habit which, in a way or more, resembles hijab.

Just because hijab is related to a religion doesn't mean that wearing hijab poses a threat to secular values. In fact, a secular state, which prohibits govt influence in religion and vice versa, must allow its citizens to wear what they want to wear, be it a bikini, a crucifix, or a headscarf. What matters is that in the eye of the law, every person is equal regardless of his/her religious practices. Furthermore, the prohibition of religious symbols in the public sphere can be seen as violation to one's freedom of expression.

Of course, there are things that we should keep in mind. My views would probably apply to sensible hijabs like the headscarf or "modest" dresses, but not to the burqa. Wearing a burqa or a niqab (the ones that totally cover everything) is kinda risky since it can be a threat to security. You never know what's inside that walking fabric. Like it or not, a terrorist can disguise him/herself in a burqa with a bomb ticking on his/her waist. Therefore, a ban on burqa or niqab is acceptable for security reasons. In addition, headscarf wearers should still allow officers for security body checks.

Most importantly, wearing hijab is never a reason to not integrate into the society one lives in and I do not, in any way, agree with the forcing of hijab to any woman by anyone.