My 15-year-old niece recently related an event she witnessed at a local mall. She was walking around with her friend in tow, when she happened upon a girl possibly in her late teens or early twenties being followed rapidly by a lady fully covered in her niqab and the gloves to go along with it. Just as the girl got to within a few steps of my niece, the lady following her got her attention by exclaiming rather loudly, âExcuse me sister. Can I talk to you?â When the girl turned around and faced the lady with a questioning look on her face, the lady began. âYoung sister. You have a beautiful face, and you are certainly very attractive. But your face is uncovered, and that is not the right thing to do. It is not religious and attracts needless attention from strangers, and that is very inappropriate, especially with so many males around.â She continued, âYou must veil your face completely when you are out in public. Your beauty is your property, and not for others to see. Even your hands must be gloved to minimize any unwarranted attention. That is the right thing to do.â The girl, who was wearing an abaya and hijab, until this moment had been quiet and staring at this hooded lady rather quizzically. Then she politely responded, âThank you, sister, for your concern, and God bless you. But I need to see your face to know who you are.â
âNo, that is of no concern. Accept my words as advice from one who is older and more learned,â replied the lady.
âBut I have to see you. I know that voice, and it is very familiar. I must see your face. I have heard this voice before, and I know it. I must know whom it belongs to. I must, I must.â
The lady in the niqab was quiet for a few moments. Furtively looking around to make sure there werenât any curious males staring and apparently satisfied that she was safe, she slowly unveiled her face to the girl. âWell, if you insist, but see, you donât know me.â
Barely had she a chance to finish her sentence as her veil came off, when the girl spit forcefully on her face and roared, âDonât you or your kind ever bother me again with your sermons and intrusions,â and with that she was off, leaving behind a dejected-looking lady and two bewildered teenagers aghast at what had just transpired.
Upon hearing of this event, I wondered if this is where we are heading to? Bi-polar extremism? Where has the middle ground for tolerance and acceptance disappeared? Is there hope, or is it too late? |