No to Hijab: Honour Killing is Terrorism 

Taj Hashmi 

 Dear Friends:
 
I am getting lots of nasty Emails from total strangers for proposing a ban on Hijab in Canada and elsewhere. This is what I sent to the Shetubondhon (conservative / Islamist web page run by some Bangladeshis in North America) as my rationale.
 
Happy New Year,
 
Taj Hashmi
 
Dear All:

I have the following to add to my earlier posting, "No to Hijab: Honor Killing is Terrorism", as some fellow Muslims have registered their reservations about my proposal to ban the Hijab as a prelude to liberate Muslim women from the clutches of obscurantism:

This latest specimen of honor killing should be an eye-opener to all, concerned with the violation of human rights in the name of Islam, not only in Canada or elsewhere in the West but also in the Muslim majority countries and regions including Bangladesh. The way Hijab and Burqa are gaining acceptability and respectability among sections of Bangladeshi Muslims, it is not far fetched to expect similar outrageously barbaric treatment of women in the country for their defiance of this so-called Islamic practice of shrouding themselves in the name of Islam. The way poor rural women were persecuted through Salish courts in the name of Shariah in Bangladesh in the recent past (some are even victimized today) and the presence of not-so-dormant Islamist fanatics around, one has every reason to worry about the future of freedom and tolerance in the country.

One may point out in this regard, what was unthinkable one day that “modern, liberal and Westernized” Iran and Afghanistan would ever be under Islamist control– women being forced to wear the Hijab / Burqa / Chador and remain subservient to men – is now a harsh reality in these countries. Leaders, intellectuals, professionals and others were / are collectively responsible for the prevalent intolerance and state of anarchy in these countries. Their indifference and complacency that Islamists would never takeover Iran or Afghanistan paved the way for the Islamist takeover.

Consequently it is time to react to all such incidents of violence against women, minorities and other weaker sections of the community anywhere in the East and West so that Islamist fanatics are not emboldened to intimidate and overpower the overwhelmingly majorities of Muslims and non-Muslims. We must raise our voice: “No to Hijab, honor killing is terrorism”.

In sum, if countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia can enforce Hijab wearing by Muslim and non-Muslim women in public places (Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton may be exempted from wearing the Hijab in Saudi Arabia) in the name of their culture and tradition, why on earth countries like Canada, US and Britain should allow this controversial shroud (which is definitely a symbol of inferiority of women) by any woman is beyond me. These countries have every right to impose a ban on Hijab in accordance with their culture and traditions. Those who would not like this restriction have the freedom not to visit these countries or emigrate enmasse to their ancestral homelands in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia.

Warm wishes and salaam to all. Happy New Year.

Taj Hashmi
Honolulu