JI launches drive to
promote headscarf
Thursday, September 04, 2008
By Asim Hussain
LAHORE
AS the Muslims across the globe observe World Hijab Day
on Thursday (today), Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
has launched a vigorous campaign to promote headscarf among the countrywomen
besides countering negative propaganda against Hijab.
The JI women wing opened two shops in Karachi and Lahore
simultaneously on Wednesday with the name of “Qawareer Fashion” selling new
designs of headscarves. JI Women Wing secretary Sameea Raheel Qazi says her
organization plans to open more Hijab centers in the country to promote the
basic Islamic obligation for women to cover themselves properly.
Qawareer Fashion in Lahore situated inside Mansoorah was inaugurated by JI
ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad at a simple but impressive ceremony organized by JI
women wing and attended by hundreds of women belonging to JI and other
religious groups besides others representing different walks of life. Wife of
Qazi Hussain Ahmad and other leaders, including Senators Kausar Firdaus and
Aafia Sarwar, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Qazi Hussain Ahmad said the spirit of World Hijab Day
was to counter the western propaganda linking Hijab with backwardness,
terrorism and repression of women.
He said the secular lobbies involved in anti-Islam propaganda ridiculed all
Islamic principles but their prime targets were Hijab and Jihad since they
enjoyed key positions in fortifying and promoting Islam.
Qazi said the secular elements attacked Hijab by attributing it to the
oppression of women in Muslim society whereas it was the symbol of women’s
modesty, prestige and honour in the Muslim society.
Citing the Hadith of the holy prophet (pbuh) that ‘Modesty is the
characteristic of my Ummah’, Qazi expressed sorrow that the modesty of a large
section of Muslim women was vanquished under secular and western cultural
onslaught.
Women’s hijab was shredded and she was made a tool of advertisement and
entertainment, and was being exploited to sell the commodities, he lamented.
Qazi praised the women adhering to Hijab saying it reflected a great
commitment.
He said the Muslim women observing Hijab Day showed that they observed Hijab
for the sake of modesty and honour. Qazi said Muslim men held women in high
respect, “our heads bow before them for their honour and respect.”
He wondered why the infidels around the world were feeling threatened by Hijab,
saying they probably felt it was the symbol of Muslim civilization’s
renaissance.
Qazi said many western governments had banned Hijab like France,
Holland and Denmark
terming it a religious symbol and holding that they could not allow a religious
symbolism in their secular societies.
Qazi said such a plea was the worst kind of violation of women’s rights since
Muslim women took Hijab to obey Allah besides protecting themselves and
considered it a mean of their security.
Qazi also criticized joint celebration of Independence Day at Wagah border,
saying the dresses of women dancing on both sides of the border were no
different.
He reminded that Islam kept half share of women in inheritance and relieved her
of all responsibilities of providing food and shelter to the family since man
was made responsible for them.
He said western family system was in shambles since they made their women
overburdened with responsibilities of providing subsistence. He said the
western media was also tarnishing Islam in the garb of suicide attacks.
Later, Qazi presented scarves to the woman journalists present on the occasion.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=133746
