What I wore today

Salwar kameez 3 piece suit with matching dupatta - a large scarf which is easily pulled over the head, yet can be stylishly worn around the neck in casual conversation, and even tied loosely behind the back when moving around the kitchen, or in a crowd. I've also been known to wear said outfits with the scarf folded over and tied around behind my neck, as in the photo. I don't usually wear red and black, but found this a pretty good example of what I'm talking about (imagine it in white and yellow with flower patterns).

Just so you know. :) - LisaM

(image from www.utsavsarees.com/salwar/indiandupatta.htm)

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PS - I for one thought Michelle Obama looked very sweet and respectful when she met the Pope.

Christian Women - Equal and Different

For those Christian ladies contemplating wearing a headcovering, and for anyone in this "modern" era, the idea that women and men are equal in spirituality while different in creation and role must be understood to some extent. Read this article, from a Presbyterian point of view, in a discussion of women in Christ's church, with the idea that women are indeed different. While the role of the headcovering itself is not discussed at length, the ideas behind it from 1 Corinthians 11 are - such as that of submission, the authority given to certain men, and the difference between these things and "sexism".

"A Look at Women's Ordination"
Daniel Townsend, Jackson Presbyterian Examiner

Nazareth College (NY) Presents Hats of the World

Here's a little tidbit of fun information on another hat gallery:

ROCHESTER, NY (07/10/2009)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College's Center for International Education (CIE) presents Hats of the World, an exhibit in the Lorette Wilmot Library on the Nazareth College campus. 20 hats representing 16 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Ukraine to Kazakhstan and Turkey, will be on display from July 14 - August 30. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, July 15 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Guests are invited to wear their favorite hats. Both the opening reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail Patricia Hans at phans2@naz.edu or call (585) 727-7948. Nazareth College is located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618.

The CIE developed this exhibit because of the myriad of hats received as gifts from students and visitors from around the world. "Many of the hats are more than mere head coverings. They have significant political and social implications," said George Eisen, associate vice president for academic affairs and executive director of the CIE. "Hats can announce a person's politics, religion, and/or social status. Hats are a revealing part of the cultural history of our world. Hopefully, this exhibit will give visitors some inkling of that history."

. . . News from Nazareth College

"martyr of the head scarf"

"You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. . ."

"Headscarf Martyr Marwa Sherbini Mourned In Egypt"
by Maggie Michael, in the huffingtonpost.com, July 6, 2009

"CAIRO — Thousands of Egyptian mourners marched behind the coffin of the "martyr of the head scarf" on Monday _ a pregnant Muslim woman who was stabbed to death in a German courtroom as her young son watched.

"Many in her homeland were outraged by the attack and saw the low key response in Germany as an example of racism and anti-Muslim sentiment.

"Her husband was critically wounded in the attack Wednesday in Dresden when he tried to intervene and was stabbed by the attacker and accidentally shot by court security.

. . . "

One crazy "lone wolf" man has learned to identify a head scarf with terrorism. How many more feel the same way as he, and have not taken up a knife yet? Sikh men have been killed by those isolated lone killers who thought that their turbans represented a militant, terrorist Muslim that they saw on TV. What is in store for women who choose to cover?

Found this story at "Hegab Rehab."

Encouraging Christian Women to Cover

Lady Muhala wrote in her blog "Testimony of Grace", on July 2, 2009: "Beware the Spirit of Compromise". Please read her story, and be encouraged.

I have been away and hadn't been able to keep up with this blog, or I would have posted this link sooner. I wanted to write some "great" thing about her post, but I will let her words speak for themselves. For those of my readers who don't know her, this lady has written a book for Christian women and headcoverings, using comments and testimonies from many ladies here in the blog world. We all need encouragement to walk the narrow path, especially when so many well meaning followers of Christ tell us that it's all right to not be so zealous in our obedience. Keep up the good words, Muhala. And, everyone, keep up the good works, which we were created to do.

International Day of Christian Veiling

I've been out of town, but received this note that I'd like to pass along as soon as I can. It was emailed to me June 24th. Please write and let me/us know what you all think...

Grace and peace in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ

I'm so glad to speak with you! I hope I find you well and safe in God's keeping! I just wanted to let you know of an exciting opportunity that you may want to mention in your blog as I'm trying to get the word to everyone that I can. By the grace of God, I came up with an idea to help Christian sisters who believe and are convicted of the Biblical practice of head covering/veiling, but feel restricted for whatever reasons and are uncomfortable doing so. Maybe because of family or spouses that disagree, or societal stigma, or whatever the issue may be. I thought that if they had a special day to be encouraged and feel safe that it would help them step out boldly in their convictions. So I have decided to call it the International Day of Christian Veiling where any Christian woman convicted of covering can do so boldly and confidently knowing that all over the world on that same day sisters are covering with them and showing the world that we Christian woman are proud of our submission and modesty. The idea was introduced in Yahoo Answers and received no love, even from a Christian woman who claims to practice covering! I felt, Ms. M, that since you too have the conviction and have so boldly been leading the way in encouragement for sisters and women of other faiths, that maybe you see this cause as a worthy and sincere cause and perhaps would help with the promoting of the idea.(?) Last week I spoke to a dear sister who is so heartbroken because her loved one is absolutely against her desire to cover. Some months ago, I befriended a girl who's mother threatened her because she wants to cover at all times and not just in church. Therefore not only do I believe this is needed for these sisters, but for their opposition as well as I believe a united front of strong, God-fearing women can help them see that their is nothing to fear and that we just wish to express our faith in God's Holy Order! Whatever your choice, I want to THANK YOU for your blog and many encouragements first of all, and second, for considering this proposition at all. God bless you and keep you and continue in the good fight of faith. Thank you so, so much.

Shelly*

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EDIT:

"Modest Fashion Cents" posted a link in a comment below, which can be found also by clicking here: "International Day of Christian Veiling - Logo".

Thank you so much for jumping in and getting things started, Modest F.C.! And thank you, as well, Shelly and Ahavah, for your kind words. Let us encourage one another.

"burqas are 'not welcome' in France"

Sarkozy says burqas are 'not welcome' in France

PARIS (AP) — President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out Monday at the practice of wearing the Muslim burqa, insisting the full-body religious gown is a sign of the "debasement" of women and that it won't be welcome in France.

The French leader expressed support for a recent call by dozens of legislators to create a parliamentary commission to study a small but growing trend of wearing the full-body garment in France.

In the first presidential address in 136 years to a joint session of France's two houses of parliament, Sarkozy laid out his support for a ban even before the panel has been approved — braving critics who fear the issue is a marginal one and could stigmatize Muslims in France.

"In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity," Sarkozy said to extended applause in a speech at the Chateau of Versailles southwest of Paris.

"The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement — I want to say it solemnly," he said. "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic."

In France, the terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black, with slits for the eyes.

. . . "

Movies Show Headcoverings

I just received this note:

I have just started watching an old disney movie - MoonSpinners - that you may like to see.
I think the whole plot is Hayley Mills visiting Greece - anyway, so far I have not seen one Greek woman without her headcovered.
and the ones some of the wedding guests wore were quite pretty.
anyway, I got it from Netflix.
I can't promise it will be any good - haven't watch that much - but it may be worth it just for the fashion.

I remember that movie - must see it again. If I remember, the story and acting are pretty enjoyable. Hayley Mills is always fun to watch, and here she's a young woman - if I remember right, she even wears a head scarf when going out.

Makes me think - I'm sure that there are other older movies, not period pieces made lately, but movies made in the 60's and before, that show women with their heads covered when going out, whether for fashion or because it was the thing to do to attend worship somewhere.

I've always liked Fiddler on the Roof. There's a Natalie Wood movie in which she dresses modestly and wears hats. Can anyone think of others? Would love to hear from you!

And thanks for the thought, Karen. :)

Femitas on Headcovering

Very plainly put, "Femitas" of blogspot blogs answers those who wonder and guess at why she, as a Christian woman, has decided to cover her head. Read: Headcovering