"Russia Head Scarf Ban"

"Russia Head Scarf Ban: Putin Opposes Headscarves At Russian School"
in Huffingtonpost.com, 10/18/2012

In a article reviewing the European trend to ban head coverings of every sort, in every public place, President Bladimir Putin is reported as speaking out against the wearing of headscarves in Russian schools.

"Putin's statement follows a recent incident in Russia's southern region of Stavropol during which a school principal forbade girls from Muslim families from wearing headscarves to class. Their parents protested and the principal said she was threatened.

Asked to comment on the issue, Putin clearly voiced his opposition to headscarves at schools, saying that Russia is a secular state and must create equal conditions for all its citizens.

At the same time, Putin sought to calm passions raised by the dispute, saying that authorities must show a due respect to followers of all religions.

"We have a secular state, and we must proceed from that," Putin said at a meeting with supporters."

...

 Putin said that . . . any departure from secular rules in public life could eventually lead to the infringement on the rights of followers of other religions. "It would be better if all people feel equal," he added.

In an interesting in-website link, the HPost has linked a 19 photo slideshow of Muslim modest fashion from various fashion shows. Fabulous.

"French Far Right Leader Calls for Kippah Ban"

"French Far�Right Leader Calls for Kippah Ban" - in The Jewish Voice
26 September 2012

French politician Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front party, sparked controversy this weekend with a call to ban the traditional Jewish head coverings known as kippah (in Hebrew, or yarmulke in Yiddish).

Le Pen, known for her anti-immigrant and nationalist positions, has long called on banning Islamic head coverings such as the niqab and burka, and has now added kippot to the fray.
“Obviously, if the veil is banned, the kippah [should be] banned in public as well,” the French daily Le Monde quoted Le Pen in an interview published Sept. 21.

French President Francois Hollande denounced Le Pen’s call for a ban on religious head coverings, saying, “Everything that tears people apart ... divides them, is inappropriate.”

...

For more, click the title linked above.

At least she's consistent to some extent. What's next, then, mandatory unisex haircuts for men and women so that you can't tell them apart in France? What are people thinking?

Kate Middleton's Headscarf - Princess Diana

Some readers may be interested to see these comparison photos:

Kate Middleton's Headscarf Recalls Princess Diana Circa 1996: Fashion Flashback (PHOTOS)

Fashion and respect while traveling

Keeping Silence, Headcovering, and Catholic Tradition

Should Women Keep Silence in Church?

by Jimmy Akin in the National Catholic Register

This article is an attempt to answer the questions raised about the differences of men and women in the service of the assembly of the church, according to scripture.

"In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, St. Paul seems to suggest that women should be totally silent in church.

Is this true?

If so, how do we square it with the practice of the Church today?"

As the writer admits, the passage is a "difficulty", especially in the culture and society in which most of the English speaking world lives today. And so he examines the scriptural context, other texts within the same letter of the Apostle Paul which address these issues (that is, our head covering scripture in 1 Corinthians 11), as well as other scriptural texts concerning the spiritual equality of women. He reviews the current traditions and scholarly teaching, acknowledging again, that although women do speak and prophesy in assembly, there is one matter where women and most men are to remain silent - in teaching the Word of God publicly.

Although the passage commanding women to be silent in the church seems to be contradictory to the teaching in other places that women and men are equal in spirit, upon further study, there is no contradiction.

The head covering passage is a core idea here: if women were to remain silent ALWAYS, then why did Paul only a few paragraphs earlier instruct them to wear a head covering while they were praying or prophesying? Truly, a woman may pray alone at home, but prophesying is not something done in privacy, but to the benefit of hearers. The command for silence of the women is not a contradiction then, but rather a clarification of who is to be watching over the teaching of the Law of Christ, and who is to be quiet so that everyone in the assembly can hear and understand from the appointed teacher.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/should-women-keep-silence-in-church#ixzz266eXlymB

What have you studied about this? Do you know of another study on this passage that you would like to link here? Please comment, and let us all keep pressing on.

"Women embrace ancient traditions of covering"

Women embrace ancient traditions of covering | Picture This | The Seattle Times

A lovely photographic essay sharing the modern ancient tradition of wearing head coverings. Photographers, their subjects, and editors have done fine work sharing and educating. Highly recommended viewing.

In a time when so many things divide Americans, I hope that the photos, captions and video can help increase some cross-cultural understanding. The photos and video span from brides in boutiques to Sikhs in processions. First communions to Sabbath preparations. Somali shopping malls to pastoral homes to Eastside mosques.
The photos and video are not fully representative of all religions and cultures. Instead, this is a collection of some local women's perspectives. 

Posted by Erika Schultz

Quebec, Canada: Secular, Not Accommodating

"Quebec is committing slow-motion suicide - The Globe and Mail"

The Parti Québécois Leader has proposed law banning the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, such as turbans, skullcaps or other head coverings, by provincial employees.

And yet, the Quebecois demand accommodation across Canada, even in areas where there are no French speakers. True, their ancestors were here before most other language and culture groups (after Native Americans). But, really. Being here first is not what this anti-multiculturalism is about.

The Sikh turban: at once personal and extremely public

The Sikh turban: at once personal and extremely public – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Can you relate?

Olympic Sports Headwear

"Sports hijabs help Muslim women to Olympic success"

"New sportswear designed for women who want to cover up, and some important changes to the rules, are inspiring Muslim girls to take up sport – and compete internationally" - The Guardian

Lots of folks weighing in the comments on the article linked above, and in other articles around the internet on this topic. What do you think, yourself? Don't let your media tell you how to think or reason.

And for the snarky remarks I read somewhere about modest head covering girls needing luck to play beach volleyball: I would LOVE to see a modestly dressed team in "burkini" go up against the nearly nudes and WIN one!  :)

In the meantime, are you watching for head-covered athletes in the 2012 London games? Look for:

Wojdan Shaherkani, of Saudi Arabia, 16, in Judo. on August 3.


Maziah Mahusin, of Brunei Darussalem, 19, in Women's 400m - Round 1, on August 3.

In Women's 100m preliminaries, August 3:

Tahmina Kohistani, of Afghanistan, 23.
Noor Hussain Al-Malki, of Qatar, 17.
Shinoona Salah Al-Habsi, of Oman, 19.
Fatima Sulaiman Dahman, of Yemen, 19.

Soulmaz Abbaslazad, of Islamic Republic of Iran, 28, in Women's Single Sculls Finals, August 4.

On August 4, Women's 50m Rifle Qualifications:
Bahya Mansour Al Hamad, of Qatar, 20.
Elaheh Ahmadi, of Islamic Republic of Iran, 30.
Azza Alqasmi, of Bahrain, 27.
Maryam Arzouqi, of Kuwait, 29.
Mahlagha Jambozorg, of Islamic Republic of Iran, 20.

This is by no means a complete listing of all Olympians who cover, but just a short listing that I put together of athletes who are scheduled for the next couple of days. Please click the links to the athlete's names and you will be on the official London 2012 web pages, where you can research more athletes and sports that may have a representative of the head covering community participating.

Not to leave out any of our men who cover, I did notice a few Sikh gentlemen listed from India, who I believe will be allowed to participate in sports with their head coverings as well.

If you know of or find more, feel free to send a link here. I will allow links to post automatically for the next couple of days. Hopefully we won't get spammed or flamed during this time! Please only use the comments to respectfully comment on the games and the athletes who cover their heads while playing!

Islamic Scholar: Headscarves Not Required

Islamic University Scholar Finds Headscarves Not Required

reported in Al-Monitor.com

In a landmark doctoral dissertation, Sheikh Mustafa Mohammad Raashed says his studies found that Islam never required women to wear a headscarf, Al-Nahar reports. Egypt’s Al-Azhar University endorsed his conclusions, including that a lack of "analytical capabilities due to psychological problems" led to wrong interpretations.

"According to observers, Al-Azhar asserted its position on the discussion, and put an end to the ongoing debate over whether wearing the hijab is a tradition or a religious obligation. The university unequivocally declared that Islam does not impose the hijab as an obligation. "

See also:
http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/06/45564/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-scholar/

and:
http://muslimahvoicesbafts.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-says-muslim-scholar-sheikh-mustapha-mohamed-rashed-al-azhar-university/


It will be interesting to see if this affects government institutions in and out of Egypt, as if it truly is a "ruling" on Islamic law.