~THE ELEGANCE OF THE MODEST WOMAN ~

[HOUDA-K]

The Elegance of the Modest Woman
Toronto Star - Jan. 23, 2002

While out for dinner last week with colleagues, we sat beside three 20-something women. There was the usual posing and glances exchange, and as they paid their bill two Muslim women entered and sat nearby. Whispers were quickly exchanged and we could hear, "Why do they wear those things anyway?" ... "I feel sorry for them" ... and so on.

As they filed out of the restaurant, we noticed they sported a mixed collection of the following: skin tight pants, short skirts, exposed midriffs, push-up bras, high heels, jewelry, see-through or plunging tops, piercings, lipstick and makeup, and one had breast implants for certain. We observed the two Muslim women as they were engaged in close conversation over coffee.

Their graceful features complimented their dark headscarves and warm eyes. Their natural gestures were flirty without even trying - revealing natural beauty. And their clothes, while conservative, brought forth the hidden potential of something wonderful and truly feminine.

The idea of dressing modestly terrifies some western women - but why? Perhaps it would trample their "right" to show off. Would their self-esteem fall along with their hemlines?

After some debates, we identified the cost of the western "right" to flaunt. The Muslim women were free from the fashion trap -free to "just be" without posing, comparing, dieting and spending for the approval of men and each other. And they looked more desirable to us than the exhibitionists who were in the restaurant and parading on the sidewalk.

The sexual displays in our culture are so mainstream and competitive that modesty is seen as regressive. Yet, long term, when a man looks past the right pants and heels, he will ultimately detect not confidence, but a certain unattractive desperation.

Modest women don't have that desperation - they don't compete in the arena of vanity. They have themselves - and that's the kind of attraction with legs to last the long run. Remember that the next time you feel sorry for a Muslim woman.
R. Stevenson
North York

[LDNgirl]

Assalamu alikum sister Houda,

That was really beautiful. I really do hope that R Stevenson was a man.

I still am so amazed and deeply touched when I hear of a non-muslim complimenting our dress code. It takes the most self-less person to appreaciate inner beauty. An example of which would be on Friday evening, I was in a shop on Oxford Street, when a sales-clerk took a look at me, came upto me and said 'Aren't you hot?'. I was tired and cranky after a hard week and replied 'I may be hot now, but shaded in the Hearafter God willing' in a stern tone. He just smiled and said 'Wow, thats some deep sh*t, respect girl! Dressed like that you're a hell of a lot more attractive then the sl*ppers we have flaunting it round here'. I couldn't stop laughing and it made my day!

Even Muslim men still do value the western dress, but wish their wives to adopt the full Hijab, but fail to grow a beard.

What about the Elegance of a Modest Man? Now there's a subject....

[Lala_Sarah]

Heeeeeee thats nice wellah I only get weirdos complementing my hijab!!!!!!!!!!!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm that says it all it aint the hijab it's meeeeeee!!!!!!!

[LDNgirl]

Originally posted by Lala_Sarah
Heeeeeee thats nice wellah I only get weirdos complementing my hijab!!!!!!!!!!!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm that says it all it aint the hijab it's meeeeeee!!!!!!!

Skoot yel hamka dyel besah! I get weirdo's ALL THE TIME, (but shh hnina we're only supposed to tell people the good stuff) Remind me to tell you about the African man on the bus this morn @ lunch lol....

[pharess]

salam!!!
And they looked more desirable to us than the exhibitionists who were in the restaurant and parading on the sidewalk.
this means and all what it means in the eye adoltry is when man feel what they have felt is adoltry and both of them have commited ZINA
im not proud !!!
that was not modesty that was evil !!!
they have exited the MEN OUT THERE !!!
basically their existance alone in a bar restaurant prouves who they were lol
that was a shirk!
ZINA !!!!!! no doubt !
listen when you are exited that is it !!!
this sisters were not supposed to be alone out there !!!
if you have no shame do what you wish!!!
may be they did not know that prostitute do wear hijab this day as well !
or just because their family is forcing them not from their hearts !!!otherways a true musslima will never enter places like that !!!
i will stay always loyal even against myself and i wish to die shaheed!!
salam

[LDNgirl]

Originally posted by pharess
salam!!!
And they looked more desirable to us than the exhibitionists who were in the restaurant and parading on the sidewalk.
this means and all what it means in the eye adoltry is when man feel what they have felt is adoltry and both of them have commited ZINA
im not proud !!!
that was not modesty that was evil !!!
they have exited the MEN OUT THERE !!!
basically their existance alone in a bar restaurant prouves who they were lol
that was a shirk!
ZINA !!!!!! no doubt !
listen when you are exited that is it !!!
this sisters were not supposed to be alone out there !!!
if you have no shame do what you wish!!!
may be they did not know that prostitute do wear hijab this day as well !
or just because their family is forcing them not from their hearts !!!otherways a true musslima will never enter places like that !!!
i will stay always loyal even against myself and i wish to die shaheed!!
salam

Pharess,

From what I can decipher from your impecible English is that girls who leave the house and go out to dinner a Zaniet and that they are prostitutes in hijab that their parents have made them wear, am I correct?

Right... first of all where is your daleel on any of your views?

They were sisters going out to dinner with other sisters. NOT with non-mahram males. They were not selling themselvs on street corners or dancing on the tables. Just out to dinner. Does your wife/ sister/ mother/ aunt never go out with their friends? Or do you live in some cave in Maroc where the only ammenity is the local bir? Sisters do have a right to be out there as much as anyone else! The only reason they may not be safe is because of men like you wishing to take advantage. Why shouldn't women leave the house? ... Oh yeah, thats right, they need to be cooking your dinner and ready and waiting for when you come home to wash your feet and there for you to relieve yourself in, right. Going out would burn too much energy for you, right?!?

I hate your views on women pharess! You are a chouvanist who detests any woman with an opinion.

You claim you wish to die shaheed?!?! Right... so by your reasoning all the Zina, fornication, haram acts will be wiped out just by the fact you are going to die shaheed. Where abouts in Maroc is the war based on religion? Where is the army in Maroc fighting the infidel forces? The onyl way you could ever, possibly die shaheed is if there are more suicide bombings in Caza in retaurants where you'll proabably be dining with your current lady friend. Would that make you shaheed?

Pharess, please do not come onto my thread spouting theories that you've gotten out of your backside.

CONSTRUCTIVE post, with no gender hate welcome.

[Lala_Sarah]

Salams and phares I thought you were dumb and now I know you are dumber.

What are you chatting about, just cos your a dog on heat aint no ones problem. Yes some women do deliberately dress provocative even in hijab cos weaklins like you exist. But dont judge all hijabis as that.

As for your other views I am afraid to ask where you hang out.

I have to stop writing or I will end up passing the limit and calling you an ignaramous or something.

It is one thing voicing a concern and mentioning the difficulties men have no you have to judge.

Allah ey hedik.

I am sorry for being rude but you are really irritating