Saturday, May 31, 2008

Non Muslim Hijabi Videos

It's a rainy Saturday and you have a little spare time to watch a few videos on YouTube. Please check out: The NonMuslim Hijabi. One smart young lady - who is not a Muslim woman - shares her thoughts on her wearing full head covering, and hijab style. She has five videos posted to youtube, and you might find some of her reasoning rather interesting.

photo above from her youtube homepage

Friday, May 30, 2008

Dunkin Donuts and People Who Don't Get It

Just a few comments, because to provide you with links would be too much. There are so many people and news bureaus reporting on and complaining about the recent scarf that looks like a terrorist sympathizer commercial pull, that you've probably already seen and read a few. If not, you can do a search on Dunkin Donuts in the news. Does her scarf really remind you of a khuffiah? (photo of Yassr Arafat, former leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, from the Electronic Intifada)

There are also quite a few incidents, and some recently reported, in which men - always men, I might add - wear head coverings to hide their identity so that they can pull off some crime.

I believe strongly that these man-head-covering-to-conceal-identity incidents are one of two things behind the fear of some people who wish to ban head coverings of all kinds and in all ways. These are the incidents that cause some people to misunderstand the use of the head covering by women, which is in almost all cases NOT to conceal identity so they can pull off a crime (I suppose there are a few criminal women who do). And along with these incidents is the other manly idea of team colors, which cause some people to immediately assume that a scarf worn around the neck - which is slightly similar to a head covering that someone saw on the nightly news worn by someone who might be in a country that doesn't like the USA - is symbolic of sympathizing with terrorist organizations. What?

EDUCATION, PLEASE.

This is what I'm trying to help with on this blog. A particular scarf worn by a woman, in almost every culture and religious background, is a personal thing - though religious sometimes, almost always turned into a fashion, by style and color and fabric and length and accessories. A head covering worn by a man in almost every culture and religious background is a TEAM thing - almost always turned into a symbol of the team by its use of style and color and etc. Or maybe it's a caste thing. Yes, I did read about the various styles of men's turbans and yarmulkes and how color and etc. are reflections of status or belief system or, in the case of the kippah, a favorite sports team. Yes, there is a religious significance to these coverings by men, but they are accented by the team spirit. By contrast, women who disagree vehemently over which branch of their religion to follow may end up wearing identical head coverings, if they look good in them. Unless the woman is a member of a group which is strongly run by men, in which case the men of the group will probably require "team colors", or styles, so that everyone looking knows what particular group they belong to, women cover their head FOR MODESTY, FOR HUMBLENESS, FOR PIETY, FOR PURITY, and most probably because it also LOOKS PRETTY!

Case in point, that commercial with the pretty lady attempting to get you to buy a latte at Dunkin Donuts - tell me she or her stylist chose that scarf because it had a "team colors" identifier to it, and I'll tell you how much this society in which everyone is supposed to be a man even if their body and mind don't work the same way has influenced and deluded you.

Women who cover: have you ever tried a style and had it pointed out to you that you looked Amish, Mennonite, Muslim, Jewish, Russian, gypsy, or some other team related label? But have you worn (or wanted to wear) the style ANYWAY?

We feel convicted by our faith and in our hearts to cover our heads, and that is the only requirement. All the rest is just fashion.

I think.

End Rant. We'll return to our regular reporting and sharing about the news and blogs concerning head coverings as soon as possible.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

What, When, Where and How?

Jennifer of "Reformed SHEology" at blogspot has posted a comprehensive blog entry "to share my own personal experience as a covering woman in a non-covering church. We've already discussed the why, so now let's take a look at the what, where, when and how of headcovering."

Please click here to read: "Choosing and Using Your Weapon". She covers answers to the questions, "with what", "when and where", and "how do I handle the reactions of others?" Also read her article: "Without Ceasing", for more on the "when" question. Good reading, and recommended highly.

The second article above includes these well written thoughts:

... Headcovering was made for women, not women for headcovering. The cover is more for us than it is for God. The cover is there for our encouragement. If you want to cover full time because it makes you happy, then I say, go for it! I honestly believe God gave us the covering as a way to be comforted. If you cover because you want to, then praise God! But if you cover because you feel you have to do it, or if you feel condemned for only doing it part of the time, this is not of God! The last thing He would want is for us to view it as a source of anxiety. The Lord reminds us in Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. In addition, we are told that fear is not from God (1 Timothy 1:7).

I will also share that my uncovered times give me a greater sense of appreciation for my covered times. There are times I'll be with a group of folks just fellowshipping when someone suddenly says, "Hey, why don't we take a moment and pray for Mary, for safe travels?" I will feel naked praying without the cover, but I know God doesn't honor my prayer any less. If it bothers me that much, I will carry a small scarf in my purse for such occasions, but unless I know I will be engaging in a time of planned prayer or worship, I do not worry about covering.

~~~~~~~

That Natural Girl" at blogspot, has also posted a short entry on "when" to cover. Please click here to read: "When do I cover?"
I think it is one of the most beautiful practices that we, as women, can do for God and for ourselves. I have found that it helps me to focus more on the Scriptures when I read them and it helps me to get into a sense of quietness. I love doing it. It blesses my heart!

Denmark Courts and the Veil

Row over Denmark court veil ban
By Thomas Buch-Andersen
BBC News, Copenhagen

Read the entire political article at the title link above. Here is a sample:

Danish diplomats to Muslim countries are preparing themselves for another wave of anti-Danish protests after the government announced it would bar judges from wearing headscarves and similar religious or political symbols in courtrooms.

Although the ban will include crucifixes, Jewish skull caps and turbans as well as headscarves, the move is seen as being largely aimed at Muslim judges.

It comes after pressure from the Danish People's Party (DPP), known for its anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Earlier this month, the party produced a widely published poster showing a female judge wearing an all-encompassing burka.

The accompanying text argues that a Muslim headscarf is more than just a feather-light piece of clothing. Rather, it suggests, it is a symbol of submission and tyranny.

The final line of text reads: "Give us Denmark back."

. . .

There have been no similar debates in countries like Sweden, Norway and Finland. British courts accept Muslim headscarves, as well as turbans, in courtrooms.

In France, headscarves and other religious symbols are banned in schools and are unthinkable in courtrooms.

But, so far, the presidency of the Danish parliament, the Folketinget, has said that it will not bar parliamentarians from wearing headscarves when speaking in parliament.

Jewish Covering Thoughts

Some random thoughts from Hadassah’s Musings at wordpress:
If I cover my hair will that draw attention to me?

In the Torah - Bamidbar 5.18 – it talks about the Sotah – a woman suspected of adultery – who is made to uncover her hair. The rabbis extrapolated from this that a woman back in the day kept her hair covered as a general rule. Therefore Jewish married women are commanded to cover their hair. The Shulchan Aruch commands a man not to pray or recite blessings if there is a woman in front of him with a “tefach”(4 inches) of skin uncovered that would usually be covered, this applies to hair as well as it is considered part of the body that is normally not seen. I could cite many more sources that say the same or similar. I will point out though, that at the time of all these discussions, it was the societal norm for women of all faiths to cover their heads, not just the Jewish women.

. . .

There are some modern Rabbis who have ruled that a divorced woman is allowed to uncover her hair if she believes it will help her chances for another shidduch, and some that say she can uncover her hair but only after she moves to a different town. Some say not at all, that she may as well walk around naked. I guess it all depends on who you ask IF you ask. I needed to do what was right for me and my emotional state at that point in time. Maybe one could even argue, that uncovering my hair was showing my grief for the end of my marriage. After all there is no shiva when a marriage has died / failed.
Read the full entry at the link above for more thoughts on wigs, covering, law, choice, modesty, standing out in a crowd, respect and etc. Also some thoughts on this in the comments offered to the author.

More on Muslim Head Covering Law

Covering the Head and Reading Qur'aan,
from Darul Uloom Abu Bakr, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Q: Can a person read Quran without a cap? What is the ruling 4 men and women?

A: The Ulema have mentioned that among the aadaab or ettiquette of Quran recitation one is to cover the head. So though it is permissible to read Quran with the head open, it is makrooh (disapproved) because this is contrary to respect.
For a woman it is not permissible to recite Quran with the head and hair uncovered. This law will be stricter in the case of woman, as is the case in salah. A man's salaah is makrooh but valid if he does not wear a cap (topi). However, the woman's salaah is not valid at all if she performs salaah without head and hair covered. The same principle will apply to Quran reading.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Desi Islam - Traditions or Requirements?

You learn something new everyday.

I'm not sure exactly what "Desi Islam" means, but from what I gather, it mostly refers to the practice of combining tradition of a certain culture with the religious requirements of Islam. I came across an article by this name at "The Room of Requirements: Desi Islam", and learned something more about head covering too. Apparently some Muslim women confuse the wearing of a head covering for modesty and religious demand with the wearing of a head covering out of respect. Which is not required in Islam.

In our Western culture, the "flip-side" of the Christian woman's head covering for submission and respect and requirement, is that of the Christian man's doffing his head cover while indoors, out of respect, and in deference to religious requirement while praying. You can observe men taking off their hats and some Christian women throwing their prayer veils on when a prayer is said at some public function.

Somehow, this practice is also a part of what this author refers to as "Desi Islam", in that some Muslim women, when uncovered, will put on their veil when hearing prayer or the words of scripture being read. In her article, she describes how the religious requirement for Muslim women regarding covering has always been out of modesty toward men-people who are not close family - but not out of some outward show of respect for prayer or prophecy. That, you may remember, is the point made by the apostle in the New Testament - that Christian women should cover their heads when praying or prophesying. The article implies that maybe this practice of head covering for respect of holy words is a carry-over from old cultural traditions. And this author as well as the sources she quotes from think that wearing a covering out of respect is just not right.

And I wonder if the ancient practice of women covering their head out of respect for holiness comes from whatever was and is before the Hindu or Jewish traditions that predate the modern traditions of Muslims and Christians.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Poll on Christian Covering - Link

That Natural Girl at blogspot has posted a new poll about head covering for Christians and 1 Corinthians 11. Please click over to this link and find and place your vote! :)

The question is: "What do you think 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is really saying?" And your choices are as follows:
Women should wear headcoverings all day so as to be prepared to pray
Hair is the covering Paul is referring to
Women should cover their heads in public worship
Paul was speaking only to the Corinthian Church

Please also read her personal story: "The beginning of an exciting journey..."

Messianic Forum Discussion and Link

The Messianic Forum - A forum open to Christians and Jews to discuss Messianic Judaism beliefs and issues.
So.. ladies? Who covers their hair?
If you do, when did you start and what prompted it?
If not, why not?
If only sometimes, when and why?

Some interesting thoughts shared here, for your interest, click on the link above. In the thread, someone also posted a link to "About Head Covering" from the "Light of Meshiach" webpages. Also a good read on the subject.

I've never been completely sure how to "classify" Messianic Judaism for ease in research, so I'm putting this in both Christian and Jewish labels - no insult intended towards followers of this way.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Head Coverings In the News, Again

You may have heard the latest from Gaza.
A WorldNetDaily Exclusive: "Christians targeted in Gaza"
Bombings of churches, Bible store follow Hamas' ascent to power
Posted: May 19, 2008, 10:32 pm Eastern
By Aaron Klein, © 2008 WorldNetDaily

JERUSALEM – A building in Gaza with an Internet cafe that reportedly was bombed is owned by a Palestinian Christian, WND has learned.

The media widely reported the target of Sunday's bombing as perceived symbols of Western influence. A search of English-language articles on the attack yielded no results reporting the target was Christian.

The bombing follows scores of other anti-Christian attacks in the Gaza Strip – including one last Friday that targeted a Christian school – since the Hamas terror group was elected to power in 2006.

. . .

Immediately after Hamas' Gaza coup, Abu Saqer told WND in an exclusive interview Christians could continue living safely in the Gaza Strip only if they accepted Islamic law, including a ban on alcohol and on women roaming publicly without proper head coverings. . . .

It seems that a person is considered "Christian" who does not wear a head covering?

I think we all realize that a ban on alcohol, and women "roaming publicly without proper head coverings" would not be a problem for Christians. The media has it right to focus on the fact that it is symbols of Western influence that are being targeted. Unfortunately, Western missionaries often carry Western influenced Christianity. Read the full article to to see what you think.

~~~~~~~~

Before we are to quick to say that this is a "Middle East" problem, consider problems in the West:
The Independent, of the UK, reports: "Anti-Semitic violence nears record level"
By Emily Dugan, Saturday, 17 May 2008

The number of anti-Semitic attacks in Britain has reached its second-highest level ever, MPs have been told. Figures from a charity show 547 such incidents were recorded last year, of which a record 114 were violent assaults.

. . .

Jon Benjamin, the chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said they were "extremely encouraged" by the Government's response. He said anti-Semitism had been a reality in the Jewish community for years in Britain, but there had been further signs it was getting worse.

"We know our community buildings have to be secure, and our schools need security," he said. "The quality of life for Jews here is good, but there are perceptible changes, such as the graffiti this week. People wearing head coverings to synagogue on a Saturday morning can feel somewhat vulnerable."
And a people who wear head coverings on a Satuday morning are immediately identifiable as Jewish.

Personally I see something in common between these two stories. What's the real problem with these "others" in your country?

~~~~~~~~~~~

And problems with coverings in Africa as well, who must for some reason follow in the footsteps of the Turkish government and school system:

Copied and pasted here as reported in "Religion Clause" blogspot, Wednesday, May 21, 2008,
"Ugandan University Bars Muslim Women From Wearing Head Coverings In Exams"
In Uganda, Makerere University has angered Muslims by banning students wearing head coverings from entering examination rooms. The ban primarily affects Muslim women. New Vision yesterday reported that university officials say they are trying to prevent cheating by preventing students from carrying jackets, scarfs, caps and sweaters into exams. Presumably the directive is intended to prevent those taking exams from hiding unauthorized material. However Muslim students say this is an attack on the Muslim faith. They protested by marching from the university mosque to the main building carrying signs such as one reading: "Accord Islam value, don’t undress our Muslim sisters."
~~~~~~

Maybe it's all because the media, or the governments of mankind, just don't understand the head covering, that it seems to be a part of these situations? Or is it just "the powers that be" and "the way things are" reacting to the "other" that is different and unknown? I'm not saying I know all the answers. Just some things to think about maybe.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Hijab Style at blogspot


Linking you to a blog billed as "the UKs first style guide for Muslim women".

Hijab Style

Hijab is more than heavy black cloaks, eh? Site includes lots of informational internal links, how-to's plus modest clothing - with photos. Lots of external links too.

Photo above is from the "about" page of this blog.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Spirit of the Scarf

To wear a scarf, by calee of "sacred and the profane", reflects personal thoughts of tradition and belief in her growth as a Christian in the Orthodox Church. She describes how something physical can truly symbolize and help to back up the spiritual within. Please read the whole thought at the title linked above. Here is a part:

The biggest way our family encounters the sacred is through specific actions (you can call them rituals) associated with the ancient practice of the Eastern Orthodox church. We light incense and candles, we listen to Byzantine chant, we bow and prostrate ourselves before icons–all of these things serve to transform what could be an everyday activity into something outside our selves. By engaging our senses in the act, it propels our entire bodies into a more sacred frame of mind. I love how these things help me get out of my own head and engage our daughter in the prayers and life of the church.

. . .

It’s been pretty easy to integrate these sorts of things into our life. I can’t imagine trying to explain the concept of God or church or prayer to a young child without these tangible helps provided by the Church.

But. There’s another one out there. Just for us ladies.

The head covering.

If you’re interested in the most turned to article about this in American Orthodoxy go here. If you think I’m crazy and spitting in the face of feminists everywhere, please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll post your opinion. That’s fair.

I still don’t know where I stand on this one so I’m open to both sides but the topic seems to keep coming up.

I read this article in Slate a couple of nights ago about how some Muslim women decide to put on and take off their head coverings, called hijabs. I know we’re not Muslim, but it was an interesting perspective because part of my hesitation has always been that once I start covering my head during the liturgy or prayers–it’s for good. And I’m young and impetuous.

So that’s one part of it. But on the other hand, I’m all about acknowledging that church isn’t just something to do on Sunday mornings to build business contacts and make sure our daughter learns morals. I believe we are worshiping a holy God and that we engage in something radically different than the secular world outside the church doors. If wearing a scarf over my head helps to enhance that differentiation for me (and someday my little girl) then perhaps I just need to get over myself.

. . .


(Note - if you have the time, please also read the articles she referenced and linked to.)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Head Covering Law Is For ALL - Germany

"Headscarf Law Applies to All Religious Coverings, Judges Say"
in: Deutsche Welle, "Your Link to Germany", 15.05.2008
A law which prohibits Muslim women teachers from wearing headscarves in a German state's public schools also forbids Catholic nuns from wearing their veils in regular classrooms, judges said Wednesday.

The administrative tribunal of Baden-Wuerttemberg state set out the position in a detailed written judgment, two months after ruling verbally that a woman convert to Islam, aged 58 at the time, could not teach in her scarf.

The teacher converted to Islam in 1984 and began wearing a headscarf during class in 1995. The southwestern state has a law that bans "exterior expressions of religious confession."

The so-called "headscarf debate" is a long-raging one in Germany, home to more than 3 million Muslims, most of Turkish origin. Many consider the headscarf a form of oppression against women and say immigrants who want to live here harmoniously must accept certain Western values and play by German rules.

Others say forbidding it amounts to discriminating against Islam and that Germans should learn to accept other cultures and traditions.

. . .

The country as a whole has been split on the issue of scarves and education, with some states tolerating teachers in scarves and others sacking them if they refuse to teach bare-headed.

The judges in the city of Mannheim interpreted the ban on religious dress as applying to all religions, whether to nuns and monks in habits or to male Jewish teachers wearing the kippah.

The law expressly exempts Catholic religious who teach Catholic doctrine classes in public schools, and the judges said three nuns in the state who teach other subjects had personal exemptions that would not apply to any other sisters in the future.


modest religious women who appear to some in the world as terrorists, or at least, subversive toward government

photos borrowed directly from DW-World.de


"Discovering Headcovering"

Discovering Headcovering", by "Reformed SHEology" at blogspot, begins:
In this modern church age, covering one's head is often seen as an outdated practice reserved only for the extremely orthodox or downright legalistic Christian. A majority of today's Christians, both men and women alike, feel that the practice of headcovering is "not for today." Approximately three months ago, I began covering my head. I reached a point where the idea that headcovering was "a social custom for that particular time" did not hold any water for me. I am fully convinced that the practice of headcovering described in 1 Corinthians 11 is indeed for today, and I hope to describe why I have grown to love this practice and the way it has turbo-charged my love for God and His Word.

But that's not all, there's more! Click on the title linked above to read a very thorough and lovely article explaining the Christian use of the head covering in worship, including a few of the aspects that the symbol reaches, especially "because of the angels". She includes links as well.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"Generation Faithful"

For interest's sake, find the series "Generation Faithful" in the New York Times, "examining the lives of young people across the Muslim world." As head coverings are a part of Muslim life, the subject comes up from time to time. They've included blogs and multimedia as well.

photo from the New York Times article, "Marriage in Egypt."

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Historical Reference

Advice for history re-enactors, in "The Cost of Accuracy"from folo1 at livejournal:
Get the basics first and then acquire whatever else you will need. Barefoot is appropriate for nearly every period. A cloak is unnecessary if your shows are in warm weather. Do not neglect head coverings, which can be as simple as a wimple or a hood but which can go far to conveying a sense of historical clothing because, with a few exceptions, head coverings were required in most cultures.
[emphasis mine - isn't this interesting?]

Monday, May 12, 2008

Jewish Kippah story


Ericsjournal from livejournal reported on the 13th anniversary of his bar-mitzvah, including this little story about wearing his head covering to school:

On the first of May this year, I wore a kippah, the traditional Jewish headcovering, to school. This was meant to be something unusual; to say that I never wear a kippah to class would be a grave understatement, and in fact I actually take pride and joy in the fact that I haven't had to put one on while inside of a classroom for something in the area of nine years now. It's generally known among people in my class that I'm genetically and even sometimes culturally Jewish, but nobody I know would mistake me for a religious Jew, and in fact a certain percentage of my classmates have heard rumours that I worship some sort of odd pagan deity. In any case, I put it on when I left my apartment in the morning around eight thirty, assuming that no one would comment on it until at least nine, when class started. My expectations were exceeded; I'd walked less than halfway to the hospital when I bumped into someone walking to the same lecture, who immediately noticed the kippah and became pleasantly confused. He asked why I was wearing it; I answered that I wore one every day. He saw through it, but it took him one lovely moment when he wasn't sure. I explained that I was wearing it for April Fools Day, and to forestall his next question, because if you pull your April Fools jape on the first of April, everyone sees it coming. No one else commented on it the rest of the day, in part because it was a small kippah and not too noticable, in part because most people seeing it simply assume I had a reason and didn't ask, and in part because most people don't look at me that closely. Or maybe in the minds of my classmates, when someone comes to class every day with a two-inch wide smiley-face amulet, you don't get too curious if he shows up one day and the strangest thing he's wearing is a kippah. True to the holiday, I took it off at the strike of noon.
Photo above from "Jessy Judaica Toronto" - Knitted Kippahs

Tantric Meditation

As I am trying to cover all bases in this blog, I came across another reason for covering which I had not considered: that of covering the head for Yogic meditation. "breathe deep" at blogspot reports on "White Tantric Yoga", describing the setting and the conditions of the meditation, including: ". . . we're all dressed in white, with head coverings to protect the crown chakra at the top of the head." She's included a photo of another White Tantric, if you'd like to see what this looks like. I am not familiar with "protecting the crown chakra", and cannot elaborate here, but wanted to pass on the information to those who might be reading this blog, and may be interested in doing further research into this.

Hijab Tutorial

EDIT - NOTICE:
The first article mentioned below no longer "exists", but I found that much of it was quoting directly from the Wikipedia article, "Hijab". Please continue on to that entry for the rest of the "tutorial" originally attributed here to "Gandalf's Garden" at blogspot, including photos.


The hijab or ħijāb (حجاب) is the Arabic term for "cover" (noun), based on the root حجب meaning "to veil, to cover (verb), to screen, to shelter".

Gandalf's Garden at blogspot today gives a basic tutorial on the hijab, including a country by country listing of what may or may not be required in those countries with strong Muslim affiliation. Please read the entire article at the linked title above, including:

In some Arabic-speaking countries and Western countries, the word hijab primarily refers to women's head and body covering, but in Islamic scholarship, hijab is given the wider meaning of modesty, privacy, and morality. The word used in the Qur’an for a headscarf or veil is khimār (خمار). Several scholars have suggested that the phrase “she donned the hijab” was originally used to mean “she became Muhammad’s wife.”

~~~~~~~~~
Also, please read "Hijab: How and why I chose to cover" by Kalimat at wordpress. She begins:

When I was still working it always took people a while to get comfortable around me. I could always detect a sense of uneasiness, not that they were afraid of me as such, but just that they were unsure. Unsure how to be around me, unsure how to speak to me, unsure what I may be like…I was the unknown. As the days went by I would sense this uneasiness slowly fading away. Eventually they were be at a point where they would be comfortable with me. They would realise that under my headcovering and modest clothing was a person, not really all that different to all the other people out there. When they reached the next level of comfort the questions would come - they would always start off about hijab.

For the full story, please click the above link. Non-Muslims might find something in common, if only the growth of a humble attitude and fear of being different from the rest of the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Also see the full explanation of the misuse of hijab by Garden of Lily at wordpress. Lots of reading here.

~~~~~~~~~~~
And for something a little lighter, I came across an article called, "VCU fashion students design abayas" in the online Houston Chronicle. Wish they'd provided photos.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sikh head covering airport screening

Sikhs, who wear turbans according to the mandates of their faith, believe they are victims of religious profiling.

"It is pretty clear to me as a Sikh that I am being subjected to unreasonable procedures that do not apply to other US citizens," said Kuljot Singh, a Sikh passenger.

To avoid that treatment at SFO, Sikh travellers are choosing to fly through alternative airports in Oakland or San Jose.

In October 2007, the TSA implemented a policy giving screeners discretion to decide when to additionally search passengers with head coverings that could be deemed "bulky". The move mirrored other emerging security policies that take a host of variable factors - including facial expressions and ticket status - into account when deciding on subjecting a passenger to secondary screening.

SFO is the only airport that chose to interpret the revision as a mandatory turban screening policy, thus creating a disproportionate and unwarranted focus on Sikh passengers, the press release said.

"The TSA policy being applied at SFO is not keeping any American safe," said Amardeep Singh, executive director of the Sikh Coalition.

"Targeting all turban-wearing Sikhs is profiling - a strategy that has been proven to be ineffective for law enforcement. And singling out all Sikhs in such a public way sends the very harmful message to Americans that Sikhs are somehow suspect because of their religious garb."

- Mangalorean.com, "Sikhs allege religious profiling, shun San Francisco airport"


See also "Groups Says SFO Security Singling Out Sikhs" in cbs5.com for more on this, including this description: "Observant Sikhs do not remove their turbans in public, even while moving through airport security, according to Singh. Tying them up can take several minutes, he added. ... "It's not like a baseball cap that you can take on and off in a few seconds," he said."

Head Coverings for Cancer Victims

I mentioned in an earlier entry the desire for cancer patients who suffer hair loss to have something to cover their heads. By coincidence I've found an article in TheCabin.net, from Conway, Arkansas:
Faulkner County volunteers are planning another community "sew-in" to be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, Highway 65 North, in Greenbrier, May 15, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The workshop is open to all interested in sewing, cutting, pinning, ironing and packaging colorful kerchief-like head coverings. Known as "care caps," they are for free distribution to balding chemotherapy patients in Arkansas and across the nation. Over 8,200 women and children with cancer have been reached by this project.

Please read the entire article at the linked title.

See also "Care Caps Connections" at this link.

I am sure that there are other such projects which some could help with, especially those who enjoy sewing. (See "Sewing for charity causes" for this and other sewing ideas from "freecraftsmembership".)

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Hijab in Christianity?

I came across a blog which referenced an article that I read a while ago, called, "The Veil in Christianity", from Al-Muhajabah's Islamic Pages. When I began researching head coverings a year or so ago, this was one of the first articles that I came across, and I found that this same author has also written several helpful articles regarding the hijab in Islam. Read these articles and links to find the point of view of veiling for Christians from the point of view of someone on the outside, who also wears a covering for her faith.

Note, the main difference between the two in reasoning is that Muslim women cover in obedience to their scripture and for modesty's sake, while Christian women cover in obedience to their scripture and for submission's sake. A lot of Westerners don't realize this.

For another blog entry, with illustrations, by a Muslim on this subject, see HIJAB... It's Not Just For Muslims, by Tabarakallah at wordpress. You might be a little offended by a couple of the illustrations here.

Another Christian "Why I Cover"

There haven't been many articles or blog entries concerning any other headcovers but Christian lately. Today I came across this short blog entry by A Godly Maiden at wordpress, "Wearing a headcovering." In it, she considers the further benefit of wearing a covering in public: others can see that you are obviously different and obedient. She is not Amish or Mennonite.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Just a few thoughts with 1 Corinthians 11

Command?

In a discussion of law and faith, THE GOSPEL HALLER BLOG expounds on the thoughts of 1 Corinthians 11. "The White Shirt Burden Pt. 2 of 2" includes the full text from the New Testament, and also some comparison with the problem with the Pharisees of Matthew 15. The question that often arises for Christians in the subject of headcovering is "What is essential? Are we teaching as doctrine the commandments of men?" (Mt. 15:9) The point of this article, as I understand it, is to explain the difference between command or "good idea" in use of color in clothing (in this case, a white shirt). Is it that important after all? But the point made for our blog is this, from verse 16 of the letter to the Corinthians - the apostles have no other practice than the headcovering for women which they pass on in their authority as teachers of the law of Christ, therefore, no other law than woman's headcovering and man's uncovering in worship should be taught, bound or followed.

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Custom?

Alithos Anesti! writes in "Thoughts off the top of my head about Orthodox Unity" of a desire to see all followers of Orthodox faith unite under the sole authority of One Truth. In that plea, we read: "Who knows, maybe women would start covering their heads in Church again, simply out of a humble heartfelt desire to obey the Scriptures."

I had contacted the Orthodox church office in my area when I first began looking for headcoverings - did any of the women there wear a covering to worship, and if so what? The dear man responded much the same way as this Orthodox author:

Here at [name removed] we have been able to implement many of our traditional practices - unfortunately, the women with their heads covered is not one of them. I have a wife and 4 daughters, and, although I have encouraged the custom, - it has never caught on.

Occasionally, someone will visit that has arrived recently from Ukraine, have their head covered, and invariably conform to what the other women are doing. Too bad....

If you come to pray with us, I would encourage you not to give in.

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Nature?

I often wonder about the many women and men who lose their hair due to cancer treatments. Headcovers.com is a wonderful example of the many ways that women, especially, attempt to keep their heads covered - not from religious law, or tradition, but just human nature. In an article I came across online, one young girl is quoted: “I was really sad when it happened to me . . . When my hair started falling out, I didn’t want to go out anywhere or do anything.”

There is a verse in the 1 Corinthians 11 which states that even nature shows us that hair is the glory of a woman. I just see these things as confirmation of that nature.

Please read the article, "Giving in Style", for a neat idea of helping those who are so affected.

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Obedience?

In the article "Legalism and Living a Pure Life", Mrs. Gunning writes:

When I read something in Scripture, I do not excuse myself from doing it because it's not "culturally relevant" for today, and to that end, I am sure some people would call me legalistsic.

However, that, even in the secular sense, is not what legalism is. Legalism is not listening to "the Spirit." Which I certainly try my hardest to do.

Nor do I believe that salvation comes through works (i.e. the wearing of a covering, being a keeper at home, homeschooling my child rather than sending them to a pagan public school, etc.), but rather, that works are evidence of salvation. When we love the Lord, we obey His commands out of love. But by no means do I believe I am going to heaven because I wear a head covering or keep my home. My trust (and everyone's) and hope for Paradise is evidenced by obedience.

Monday, May 5, 2008

What to wear?

Link to a headcovering sales site at Offbeat Modest Dress today - and her personal choice of what to wear. :)

Check Christian Coverings for the full line of veils, caps and bonnets, as well as explanations and photos.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

"Headcoverings and the Issue of Submission"

True Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter has posted a personal testimony of her heart choice to cover her head in prayer, and to submit, in "Headcoverings and the Issue of Submission". Please read her blog entry and the comments following.

She opens:

Well, goodness. Who would have thought I would be considering a headcovering for church? As I mentioned before, if you had told me this five years ago, I would have laughed. Even a year ago, I would have responded with a clueless, "huh?" But I forgot to mention that yesterday, while attending the Latin Low Mass, I decided to wear a headcovering.

And you know what? It felt perfectly right and true.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

But is it Manditory?

I'm following a discussion over at the Catholic Answers forum, where the question was asked: "Is it mandatory for women to cover their head in an Eastern Orthodox church?"

Several replies were given. I like the one given that said:
what about the biblical commandments to cover? (Cor 11:1-16, 1Thess 2:15, 3:6)

In summary, the reasons St. Paul advises women to cover their heads in church are:

1. Our Lord commanded it;

2. it is a visible sign of an invisible order established by God;

3. The angels at Mass are offended if women don't use it;

4. it is a ceremonial vestment;

5. it is our heritage.

http://www.tldm.org/news6/veils.htm
The bottom line seems to be this: "Technically, yes, head coverings are mandatory. However, for the sake of economy, they are often (too often) dispensed with."

And I can see the application here to all who call themselves Christian.

Home Made Head Covers

Covered by grace posted pictures in her blog recently of a new covering she's sewn. Intrigued, I looked through her blog and found a link to a website that she's opened called, "Simple Additions," where she offers some simple homemade head covers for a reasonably low price.