Under the Veil

We've been to several Islamic countries in the past three months, and I've been very curious about women covering themselves up. In Turkey, I learned that when a womam decided to wear the veil, she gave up her rights to think freely. She was under the control of a man, either father, husband, brother, uncle or son. She also gave up her right to education if the dominant male in her life decided it was not necessary for her to achieve a higher education.

Given that scenario, I started wondering why anyone would want to be under the veil. Such a limited existence without the freedom to do as one pleased. Then, I met a young woman in Cairo last night with a different point of view. She said that Islam is practiced many ways, and in Egypt, wearing the veil is a matter of personal choice. It's not the choice of a dominant male. She said that she decided when she was 17 to wear the veil and her mother was NOT happy with her, even though her mother wears a veil. This young woman has a degree in economics and works for a real estate company in Cairo. She is free to do as she wants. She said, the veil was a decision between her and her God. She also said that she does not follow the Koran completely when it comes to dress. She does cover her neck and shoulders, but she does wear fashionable clothes. She said that she can only agree with "some" of the teachings of the book.

Her sister, on the other hand, said she had no interest in wearing a veil. End of discussion. In case you are wondering, the mother, is wearing the blue/purple top; the older sister is wearing black and white and the younger sister has beautiful long dark hair. Three women, one family, each making a personal decision.