[twinzplus3]

Thank you Muslim Mom! Those were my sentiments exactly but I didn't want to post since I'm not Muslim. . . And I think you've hit the nail on the head. . .there will not newscasts without sponsorship.

[mcmama]

I think this is true about the media. It is certainly true of many perceptions Americans have about hijab. We've had discussions on this board about the word "jihad" which has a much deeper and more personal meaning than what most non muslims pick up through the media (or science fiction!). When that word comes up, I always get communications from non muslim members saying "What is going on?" They do not know because they have media inspired perceptions.

As to the article that was copy pasted, it does not appear to have a lot of authority - like about.com, anyone can be a guide on that particular site, and the qualifications to do so may not mean that the guide is particularly knowledgeable about the wide world.

The perspective sort of reminds me of when I was growing up in Miami, and my friends relatives would come from Cuba. All they knew was that America was wealthy and communists hated it, but their relatives had new cars and could send money. So they arrived with the perception that the streets were lined with gold, honest work was a hustle, and they would step off the freedom flight and ask where was their new car? They had no idea of how America really works. Of course, they learned very quickly, and most did very well.

As to the pig itself, I don't know what sorts of farms the author of the article has seen, but when I have visited farms in the USA, I have found that pigs are generally as clean as any other animal, except when they roll in mud. They are not the only animal that does this, we pay lots of money to do this at "spas". And birds take dirt baths, and dogs like to roll too. The pigs I have seen eat the feed that is given them, and do not appear interested in their excrement. I would imagine that any animal that does eat their own filth is probably not fed well. But I am not a farm girl myself!

I also found articles about animal husbandry that indicate that wild pigs mate for life, and eat berries and forest vegetation. (like rooting for truffles) They are aggressive about food and sex.

Hmm, sounds familiar, whether we eat them or not!

If anyone wants to start a separate thread on perceptions in the media across the world of the USA and Islam, please do so! Let's get back to headscarves!

[aisha2005]

'mcmama' and others I am sorry if that particular part offended you but trust me its NOT what I meant to say or what they wanted to say on the website.It just dosent means for a particular person or area or country but it was mentioned as an example as to what people see other cultures as they are or as they are shown by media or whatever u call it. But most of it is true and NOT limited to US or EU or ASIA but it is happening and happens and thats the reason its prohibited as there could be a chance we adopt same life style. Anyways i have edited the thread and just put a link. The website www.irf.net is of great use to clear and get answers of lots of misconceptions about Islam. Its run by Dr. Zakir Naik whom Ahmed Deetat the famous Islamic scholar gave a special degree as "AHMED DEETAT PLUS".
Thing may have offended some but above all if Allah has ordered us not to eat pork or drink alcohol or anything that is forbidden in ISLAM we have to obey it regardless we like it or not, thats period. As Allah always thinks for out best and betterment and we should not have any doubt about that.If we have some concerns we have Quran and Hadits to clear them and still if we have doubts then we should remind our selfs that " why is it only when it comes to Islam we have concerns or doubts or question? for eg: Do we question the traffic department why do we have to stop at the red light??? we do stop, right? because its rule a law we have to obey it and if we dont then we are gonna get in trouble.We wont ask the officer why do i need to stop at a red light because we know the rules as its for our safety and others.So like wise eating pork is also prohibited as one form of safety and precaution for better health and we have the Quranic reference and the daily life experience for that.Regardless whether the pork eats fresh food, keeps clean, takes baths spas or what not,once its Haram means Haram. Its like we have to stop at red light whether we are color blind or cant name colours.
Yet again I really apologise if for any reason I offended anyone, I assure that was really unintentional.
Thanks
Ma'Salam

[margem63]

YIKES! Sorry, didn't mean to start this whole thing with one little question.
I am Muslim and know why Muslims don't eat pork. My question was to SWT1899 who mentioned that she was Christian. I was just wondering what SHE thought.
I agree that we should just move on.
Maggie

[mcmama]

I agree that if Allah says don't eat pork, you don't! That's good enough! For many years, I lived in a Jewish eruv in NJ, and that is the same reason for keeping kosher - that is the law that G-d gave the Jews, and so they follow it. There's less emphasis with them on justifying why there are kosher laws, and more on studying exactly what they are and what is allowed. They even have kosher wigs and clothing. Something to do with where the fibers come from and how they are processed.

We often get into trouble when we try to understand these things - the article really was pretty off base about the perceptions of wife swapping, and as it turns out, of habits of pigs themselves. It's an interesting perspective.

In some Christian families, it is customary to have ham on Easter, so dietary restrictions for religion aren't quite the same. For many Christians, many of the laws of the old testament are not followed in light of the new testament. (sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath) However, I do know of some seventh day adventists and Jehovah's witnesses who avoid pork. So I'd be interested to hear SWT1899's ideas.

As an advisor for a youth group, we haven't yet had a situation where we had to avoid pork, but we have had to avoid beef to respect one Hindu member.

[ramses25]

This is something i have observed many times. I live in germany where nudity is practiced at many of our parks. Some are even listed as FKK parks,(meaning nudist) still they arrive.. I have observed many many muslim men and women at them. Some of the muslim females are just teenagers... Sitting among nude people enjoying the view. They watch and laugh...pointing even...Having a picnic in fact. Is this hiprocryotical???(bad spelling) Or what..?.. The ladies sitting watching nude men all the while wearing head scarves, and fully coverd.. The muslim men wanting to watch nudist..also..There are large parkshere that have no nudity. So why I ask do they come..? They do not need to sit and watch, so dont tell me about modesty..... I find this very wrong...thank you...

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

Yes... it is for modesty. Muslim women are to cover their hair and conceal their figure. Some women will even cover their faces, leaving only their eyes visible. Now, exactly how this is practiced in everyday life is a bit open for interpretatioon. Some women wear long, loose shirts and baggy pants; others do not wear pants at all. Some will only wear a long, shapeless tent-like covering.

For the same reasons, a Muslim woman generally doesn't wear perfume or a face full of make-up.

This is done for many reasons-- many believe it "protects" the family, keeping men and women free from temptation. Others believe it preserves a woman's dignity, allowing her to be respected for her mind and not her looks. I know, as a convert, I have never once been hit on since I gave up short skirts and tight pants!

Now, at home it is a different story. At home women are encouraged to beautify for their husbands. Islam is very family-focused. Think about it-- if all women were covered up and simple outside, it would be difficult for a man to be tempted. Then he comes home to a woman who looks and smells nice...

I have to admit, I do not cover. I know, I know... I sound like a hypocrite. Sometimes understanding a rule and following it are not the same things. I do have a reason (excuse?), though. To me, one of the main reasons a woman covers is to avoid drawing attention to herself. In a Middle Eastern or Muslim country, a woman who is uncovered definitely draws attention to herself. Here in the West, though, it is the other way around. I honestly believe that if I were walking down the street in my conversative long skirt and long-sleeved, loose top w/ my hair neatly brushed and no make-up, I would attract NO attention. Imagine I am walking w/ a woman in a tank top and hot pants and a woman in hijab. Who will attract the most attention? It will not be me. I'm guessing the hot pants will attract the majority of the looks, followed closely by the hijab. I bet no one would even notice me!

Don't get me wrong-- I'm not issuing a fatwa (Islamic ruling) here! I'm no scholar-- this is just what I feel about covering. I do admire all of the sisters here in America who cover. It takes a great deal of faith and courage to dress that way when so many are practically naked. Especially after 9-11, when hostility towards Muslims escalated.

[Muslim-Here]

Originally Posted by aisha2005

Thank you very much for your answer. Yesterday I did answer the man who asked me about hijab. Like you said he was statisfy with the answer, that head covering is sign of faith that I believe in Allah, and my religion is Islam. I really appreciate your answer. Thank you.

I think the bold part simply says it all.

[momchaloune]

I live in America and my husband does not want me to cover and I do not want to either. I do not wear showing clothes, I am very conservative. One of the reasons I do not want to is becasue it draws attention here in the US. Drawing attention is not what I want to do. It stands out here, so why would I want people to stare at me?

[mcmama]

Not being muslim, I guess I can answer about staring at someone. Staring is considered rude. But sometimes people cannot help it. Are you afraid that people will do more than stare at you?

In the part of north Florida where I live, hijab would be considered unusual and might attract stares. But we have so many military and govenment contractors here who have lived and served overseas, with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, so they might stare to figure out what your journey if any has been. Where I used to live in northern NJ, it was more common. Still attracted stares.

In NJ, I lived in a Jewish Eruv. Many orthodox Jewish women found discreet ways to cover with scarves and baseball caps. This is not as complete as most head coverings I see on muslim women. But the orthodox women were always easy to spot because they seldom wore pants, and their arms were always covered. Still, they did not draw stares like a man would if he had curls - but in that modern community few men did.

Whether you cover or not, you may draw stares if you wear something attractive, something exotic (like kente cloth - I used to know some africans who wore it, and headdresses too - beautiful, and very noticeable) People may stare in ignorance, but likely they are also staring in curiousity, and possibly admiration.

If you personally choose to cover, don't let the rude ones stop you. They will just have to get used to it. Professions of faith are difficult sometimes. But I believe they are necessary. If this is a strong belief for you, do not let fear stop you. Please.

[HollyGO]

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

Assalam Alaikoum. For you Muslim ladies, do you cover? Why or why not?

...

Asalaamu alaikum waramatulahi wa barakatu

I wrote about this a while back in depth on my blog back in the summer 09

Basically I did'nt cover for the longest time, for many reasons. As with everything, nothing is Black and white and there are grey areas, I usually chose those.

Basically long story short I started my prayers as it should be, and as we know we have to be covered for that, I got used to the covered up close to Allah feeling =)

I started feeling "undressed' in a way, and I wnated to be recognized as a Muslimah even though at times it draws more attention than not.

I get asked at least 2-7 times a day on average at work why I wear it or my Nationality. My name is Holly garza and I'm light complected, hazel eyes, speak with an okay accent, speak Spanish and perfect English so I guess it throws people off. Once I answer American MexicanWhite and Native American and Muslim most are in awe, most confused, others just dumbfounded