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An Interantional Hijab Day was observed in many places
of the world under Assembly for Protection of Hijab, which is an
organization set up in August 2004 within scholar in London. It was formed
in the beginning of August and they call for observance of International
Hijab Solidarity Day on 4th of September, 2004. With a group of scholar
and young activists in Bangladesh, the steering committee observing the
day including a seminar, a meeting in an open place and a press
conference. However the meeting in the open place could not be held the
then prevailing political situation. So the programme was limited to a
seminar on September 4 and a press conference on September 2. Press
conference was held in the VIP Lounge of National Press Club. The press
conference was address by Justice Abdur Rouf, former justice of appellate
division of Supreme Court, who was also the Election Commissioner of
Bangladesh, aided in the press conference by Shah Abdul Hannan, a former
secretary of the Gov. of Bangladesh, Dr. Razia Akter Banu, senior
professor department of Political Science, Dhaka University, Md. Abdul
Hannan, a senior cultural activists, Syeda Razia Sultana, an Assistant
Professor of Engineering University, a prestigious institution of Dhaka
and others.
Below the summery of the statement of the press conference.
In the beginning of the current year a law has been passed by the French
Parliament effectively banning, among others, wearing of headscarf ( Hijab)
First, The Prime Minister of France declared such an intent and Then
President Chirac called it an aggression on France. This law has become
effective from September 2, 2004 when the school year starts. The action
of the French Government and the Law has hurt the feelings of all Muslims
and religious people. France has said that this is against secularism.
This is a misinterpretation of secularism. Secularism is not opposed to
religious right.
It is not also an aggression against France or its culture. This is also
not a religious symbol; This is an obligatory rule of Islamic Law, to deny
this right is denial of religious and human right. France has also said
that this is a way of political protest. This is a figment of their
imagination.
Hijab ( whatever be the form) is a part of Islamic dress code, it is no
part of political protest. In some states in Germany and political leaders
in some other European countries have called for ban of Hijab. So this is
a big issue which cannot be ignored. If it is allowed then interference
can
come in other religious rights of Muslims and even other religions. In
this context, Assembly for Protection of Hijab in London, an organisation
representing human right workers and religious leaders (including Ken
Livingstone, Yusuf Al Qaradari, Tariq Ramadan) have called for observance
of September 4, 2004 as International Hijab Solidarity Day. Rule of Hijab
is found in the Quran ( Verse 31 of Sura Nisa and verse 59 of Sura Ahzab).
Scholars are agreed that the body of Muslim Women except face, forehand
and feet have to be covered.
In History, under the influence of Western civilization, King Amanullah of
Afghanistan, Shah of Iran tried to eradicate Hijab but they failed. Other
attempts in Iraq, Syria and Indonesia by some rulers failed. Turkish state
under Mustafa Kamal tried to abolish Hijab. Even now Turkish Women can not
wear Hijab in Govt. Schools and Offices & Parliament. Marvan Kavakchi
could not take oath as parliament Member because of Hijab. The Wife of
Prime Minister Erdogan cannot go to official function wearing Hijab.This
rule can not be changed by the Present Islamic Government become of
pressure of Turkish Army bosses who worship secularism.
This Hijab Solidarity day is very important. It cannot be ignored. It is a
religious issue. It is a human Right issue. It is recognized in U.N
Declaration of Human Rights. We are for human right of all people. We
request all people of all religions to stand up for this issue. Otherwise
religious right of all people will be affected in future. We request
France to revoke this law.
The background of the Insternational Hijab Solidarity Day and also
protection of Hijab, I would now say the development since then. A full
pledged organization has been formed under the Assembly for Protection of
Hijab, Bangladesh under the leadership of Justice Abdur Rouf and Secretary
Md. Abdul Hannan. The organization includes many dignified intellectuals.
This organization will work as a watchdog on issues of Human Rights,
particularly issues regarding women and specifically on the issues of
Hijab. In Bangladesh any woman can wear Hijab without any restriction.
Hijab is increasing over the last ten to fifteen years. In rural areas
most of the women wear Hijab. In cities also now large number of women
wear Hijab. As per as there are unwritten rules, even in Bangladesh which
women who take up Hijab are not take on in the Television channel as a
newsreader. I remember, I wrote an article on the issue on a national
Daily called Daily Sangram, in the TV channel to allow the Muslim women
who want to put on Hijab, allow them to be a newsreader. I do not know
what will be the result. But I hope it may be possible. I also came to
know and this also mention in my article in the Daily Sangram that the
national flag carrier Biman does not allow women to wear Hijab which is
disgraceful. I gathered if from my own experience, because the last ten
years they allowed only two women to wear Hijab after their prayers. But
many prayers are still pending. This I came to know from a woman when I
was flying to Jeddah to attend an IDB meeting. I had discussion with
flight attended with Hijab and she explained to me that the unwritten role
is woman cannot become Air hostage with Hijab. But after their prayer two
have been allowed till that day and said twelve other applications have
been pending. I wrote in the article in the Daily Sangram that Biman
should allow it. I hope one day it would be done. When I look into
Bangladesh there are problem. There are many problems in many other
countries where Hijab is discouraged in many ways. At Human Rights and
Religious Rights of Muslim man and woman that the struggle must continue
and the organization of the Assembly for Protection of Hijab in necessary
not only international organization based in London but also national
organization to monitor the position.
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