Such a deeply personal question, and not really one that I want to wade into blindly, but after reading this article on the BBC site, I thought about my experiences in Asia, and in particular, Kuala Lumpur.
I was thinking about when I first encountered the niqa-b how intimidating/confronting it was. It really was a bizarre thing to feel, but in a hotel lobby in KL around school holiday time for the Arab states, KL is a holiday destination for many of the arabic population, the initial 'fear' that I felt of these people, clad from head to toe in black; a very slight slit to reveal just a touch of the eyes. Was a very strange emotion.
In some respects I think it was fear of the unknown. I couldnt get an emotional 'gauge' - was she happy, sad, pissed off. And that was very un-nerving.
Kinda like that blank face you encounter at a presentation, but worse, cos blank gives you something to work with :)
On another level, I thought what a totally impractical dress routine for this climate...full length, jet black, and its 30+ degrees outside?! Are you insane?!
The more and more I visited KL, and the more I encountered the niqa-b, hija-b or burqa on the street, in cafe's, hotels, cabs, the more I became used to it. However, I still have a somewhat slightly un-nerving feeling when confronted with a niqa-b.
Now obviously practices of thousands of years aint gonna change to placate Simo's 'fear of the dark', but if I feel this way, many more must do. And I wonder how many people who would normally not be in any way predjudiced might act slightly differently when confronted by this 'dress'.
Its an interesting thought.
Heavy man!! On a lighter side, I was once staying in the Darby Park Apartments in KL, on or around the 10th floor.
So one morning I wake up and the sun is piercing through the windows, and its only 6:15am.
I get up, make a coffee, flick on CNN and think about the day.
Head out to the balcony and hear all sorts of laughter and activity in the pool area below.
So I look down at the strangest and most bizarre sight.
Approx 12 ladies & girls dressed head to toe in niqa-b & hija-b IN THE POOL!!!! Clothed head to toe. Chuckin beach balls, running and jumping all dressed in the full nine yards black dress.
For me growing up in a culture where poolside clothing was a pair of boardies for guys or for ladies a one, two or no piece (!!) costume, this was an odd one!!!
So I had a chuckle and wandered back inside to CNN normality...hmmm, that doesnt fit!!
I was thinking about when I first encountered the niqa-b how intimidating/confronting it was. It really was a bizarre thing to feel, but in a hotel lobby in KL around school holiday time for the Arab states, KL is a holiday destination for many of the arabic population, the initial 'fear' that I felt of these people, clad from head to toe in black; a very slight slit to reveal just a touch of the eyes. Was a very strange emotion.
In some respects I think it was fear of the unknown. I couldnt get an emotional 'gauge' - was she happy, sad, pissed off. And that was very un-nerving.
Kinda like that blank face you encounter at a presentation, but worse, cos blank gives you something to work with :)
On another level, I thought what a totally impractical dress routine for this climate...full length, jet black, and its 30+ degrees outside?! Are you insane?!
The more and more I visited KL, and the more I encountered the niqa-b, hija-b or burqa on the street, in cafe's, hotels, cabs, the more I became used to it. However, I still have a somewhat slightly un-nerving feeling when confronted with a niqa-b.
Now obviously practices of thousands of years aint gonna change to placate Simo's 'fear of the dark', but if I feel this way, many more must do. And I wonder how many people who would normally not be in any way predjudiced might act slightly differently when confronted by this 'dress'.
Its an interesting thought.
Heavy man!! On a lighter side, I was once staying in the Darby Park Apartments in KL, on or around the 10th floor.
So one morning I wake up and the sun is piercing through the windows, and its only 6:15am.
I get up, make a coffee, flick on CNN and think about the day.
Head out to the balcony and hear all sorts of laughter and activity in the pool area below.
So I look down at the strangest and most bizarre sight.
Approx 12 ladies & girls dressed head to toe in niqa-b & hija-b IN THE POOL!!!! Clothed head to toe. Chuckin beach balls, running and jumping all dressed in the full nine yards black dress.
For me growing up in a culture where poolside clothing was a pair of boardies for guys or for ladies a one, two or no piece (!!) costume, this was an odd one!!!
So I had a chuckle and wandered back inside to CNN normality...hmmm, that doesnt fit!!
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