4:Dialogue.11:إضبارة د.عبدالله الفـَيفي http://www.alfaify.cjb.net

Chris

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/national/27LICE.html?todaysheadlines

Abdullah

I know this issue is one of the main sterotypes about Islam, as the media at the USA try to consecrate in the American’ public opinion. Yes, the Islamic world has its problems as the Christian world. We have our different rites and schools as any other religion. The majority of Muslims believe woman should cover her hair and the whole of her body, except her face and hands. The others, you can call them the “fundamentalists”, think woman must cover the body, without any exceptions. However, even according to this last school, woman can uncover her face, hair, body in front of women, as well as with her doctor, for example, if it was necessary.
The statement that “Her religious beliefs dictate that she not reveal her face to strangers or men outside her family” is not correct. It should be “Her religious beliefs dictate that she not reveal her face to strange men outside her family.” So, to such a woman no problem with policewomen, at all. For this reason, I’m afraid that this opinion was not the woman’s opinion, but either a mistake or maybe some sort of indirect deformation of Muslim woman, to show her without any logical reason in her religious behavior. Any case, The New York Times used to catch some blemishes, here or there, in the Islamic society, especially after Sep 11 2001, for political, ideological purposes.
Some believe that the covering of woman’s face has become a traditional custom more than a religious aspect. In my country, this tradition is general in the society. After all, the woman in SA can work as a teacher, a professor in the university or a doctor in a hospital, etc.
As you know, the Quran is the holy book of Islam, which can answer your questions. While you will find many different opinions in the Islamic world, as rites or interpretations of the Quran or prophet Mohammed’s instructions. The essential question is where is in the evidence for this issue or that?
In Quran (Surah 33, Ayah 59) we read,

“ O Prophet! tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Here is nothing about the face. I think this is a close translation to the Arabic text

http://quran.al-islam.com/

There are some other translations, however, add some other interpretations to the text of Quran.

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With my American friend: 4

(Women in Islam)