It could be a millenarian crisis or a delayed reaction to decades of bad history, but millions of Muslims seem to have turned inwards, hankering for an imagined golden age. They are contemptuous of modernity’s bendable, ductile values. Some are drawn to reactionary dogma, and preachers while a good number have thrown themselves into political Islam to resist and combat western hegemonies – or so the story goes.
As a practising (though flawed) Shia Muslim, I watch the new puritans with apprehension. So too other Muslims worldwide, the silent many, watch and tremble.
From the eighth to the early 20th century, Muslims strove for a broad education (as commanded in the Qur’an), questioned doctrines, and were passionate about scientific advancements, political and social ideals and art. Not even humiliating colonial rule deterred them from the march forward. Now the marchers are walking backwards. The hijab, jilbab, burqa and niqab are visible signs of this retreat from progressive values.
[TOP RATED COMMENT 257 votes] "Liberalism is being tested by the new Islamic ardency. A French-style ban would be unwise and unjust. But institutions can apply dress codes. A bank worker cannot dress like a stripper; a child cannot wear a boob tube to school."
Couldn't agree more. I dislike 'covering up' because I live in a world where the face is a vital part of interaction. that parents could deny their daughters a vast array of careers in this country by virtue of some imposed dogma seems to me idiotic & illiberal
As a british taxpayer I am thrilled to contribute to the education of girls, I am less thrilled to see that education wasted because of their parents.
[2ND 180] It is sad that something so obvious needs to be stated. But thanks to decades of simpering cultural relatism by confused progressives, the misogyny inherent in forcing women and girls to cover up needs to be confronted and openly criticised.
[3RD 131] She gets a lot of grief from both "sides" but I've always quietly admired Yasmin and her courageous, candid writing. This is no exception.
[4TH 108] "From the eighth to the early 20th century, Muslims strove for a broad education (as commanded in the Qur’an), questioned doctrines, and were passionate about scientific advancements, political and social ideals and art."
Well thats just wishful thinking. The truth is simple; religious domination holds back any society, and Islam is the most effective religion at doing so. If you want progress in Muslim countries, it requires the populace to reject religion and its bullshit mumbo-jumbo, as the rest of us have done.
[ANOTHER] "A French-style ban would be unwise and unjust"
Why ? I lived in France during the time the ban was brought in. There was more protest in the U.K. than in France, where there is the idea that 'this is France, if you want to live here, these are the basic rules'.
They don't believe in multiculturalism. Full Stop.
I find the large number of (youngish) women who walk around my local Cardiff Asda supermarket in full black burkha , with little or no English spoken , somewhat depressing. [Guardian Cif] Read more
