Hijab Fashion Shows - What do these say about Hijab?

Islamic fashion shows are becoming popular in some Muslim countries as well as the West. Many of them feel compelled to demonstrate what an Islamic dresscode entails. It's true, models are dressed up in different forms of hijab - where the model is covered from head to toe, save for their faces and hands.

Fashion designers use different fabrics, colour and cuts to display a full hijabi attire that Muslim women are allowed to wear in public. However, not all fabrics, colour and cuttings adhere to Islamic ruling. Some fabrics are transparent, displaying inner garments of the model, which are clingy or body-fitting. Though there is no general restriction on colour in Islam - some designers combine colours of their outfits, or emphasise highly on one fluorescent colour - defying the whole purpose of Hijab - which is set out NOT to attract attention. Some fittings are a cut too tight and show off the Muslim woman's figure. Though these types of clothing are not appropriate for a Muslim woman when in the presence of non-Mahrams, she is allowed to wear them in the comfort of their her own home - with her Muslim sisters and Mahram brothers in Islam.

So, if Islamic fashion shows comply completely with Islamic rulings, are they allowed? Sheikh Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti, director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas still says "no."

With models walking up and down the catwalk with an array of spectators gliding their eyes all over them commenting on their "appearance", there is nothing really to be modest about. Hijab disallows and disencourages non-Mahram men from looking at women and requests them to question their faith and modesty when in the vicinity of non-Mahram sisters. Modesty and shyness is no longer an element of Hijab if it is being paraded around by models, who need to use their appearances as the core element of their career. And in general, most models do not even observe Hijab in their daily lives.

Muslim fashion designers therefore, are required to find alternate creative means in promoting their work. In fact, they should look into the more "religious" aspect of Hijabi clothing rather than prey upon the aesthetics and materialism that Islamic fashion shows entail.

Anti-Hijab Fever in Kosovo

It is unfortunate that Muslim countries have adopted ridiculous viewpoints regarding the Hijab. This ban in Kosovo obviously denotes the blatant lack of education with respect to women's rights in Islam.

Not only is the school violating these students' rights to dress as modest young women, they also have placed the image and appearance of the trio of greater importance as compared to their excellent academic track record.Apparently how they dress is more important that their intellect! Astarghfirullah!

It is misleading that three brilliant students should be kicked out of school for doing nothing but abiding by their Islamic beliefs.

For a country that claims to be a Muslim country or Muslim inhabited country, the demonstration of these 2 schools contradict the practices of the religion.

Denying a student, male or female, the right to a proper education is just a passport to stupidity and ignorance. Denying a woman's right to dress modestly is passport to calamity. What has happened to this country?

May dua's be said for Fatmire Jashari, Valbona Kabashi and Mihane Veliu. May Allah guide them in times of their difficulty.

"Decoding the Dress Myth," A Brilliant Article

One of my favourite webistes on the net has to IOL, just because there is so much information on Islam and I always try to learn something new. Personally, it refreshes my need for faith and realigns my principles when browsing through their articles.

Tonight I found this article particularly engaging. There are plenty beautiful articles supporting and loving Hijab and its wonders for Muslim women in every dedicated Islamic website. But this one was like a breath of fresh air.

A short excerpt:

"If a young lady wearing niqab does not want to start mixed-gender dealings, that is her right. Logically, then a woman who chooses to expose certain parts of her body, then she is inviting attention - and that is her choice. But the latter does not have the right to control the choices of others or claim that she is more liberated and progressive."

Hijab has alot to do with the right to protect one's self from obscenity. Obscenity can stem from your own self, other people and / or the general surroundings.

Personally, one comment I dislike about the Muslimah's dresscode, but unfortunately usually hear is that "hijab is just not a modern way to dress -"

"Decoding the Dress Myth" reminds us all that (poorer / slave) women pre-Islam in Arabia were made to dance around the Ka'abah or at parties partially or lewdly dressed for the pleasure of lecherous men. These women had no choice but to conform to this obscene practice.

It is unfortunate that women who are partially dressed nowadays boast that they are modern and up todate as they haphazardly keep up with the latests trends and fashions (that are forever changing) to remain modern in the eyes of others.

And moreover, they do have a choice!

Hijab always in focus -

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty sheds light on an important question here.

It is not unusual to have bouts of uncertainty concerning Hijab once in a while. Is it really ordained? Why women? Why only women?

It can be confusing with the surrounding controvery. Hijab always being in focus, always talked about, always scrutnised.

Sometimes everything gleams at us so clearly and we fully understand and accept Hijab as our own.

Luckily for us, there are plenty of Hijab resources on IOL. This can be your starting page.

Happy learning!

High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge." (Ta-Ha: 114)