Last Word: Reading Guide 26.1 due tomorrow

FrontPage: Would you support having a school uniform for all students at PTHS? Why or why not?

In 2012, John Gurdon won the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. This is an excerpt from his 1949 high school report card.

Muslims and the Hijab

Expression or Oppression?

Today you will be able to…

Describe what hijab is and why many Muslims adhere to it.

Take a position on whether you believe that hijab is a form of expression or oppression.

Oppression: prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.

What is the Hijab?

Means “covering” Literally refers to the code of dress required of Muslim

women and men; A “modest” form of dress; not flashy or showy;

This “dress code” has been the subject of debate both in Muslim countries and the West Some view it as oppression while others view it as a

form of religious and personal expression.

What does the Koran say about dress?

No precise dress code is spelled out in the Koran. But there are verses that refer to dress generally. "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters

and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women).

Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof. “

Rules for Women’s Dress

Islamic scholars would probably agree that, according to the Koran, women’s dress… Must cover the entire body, with the

exception of face and hands Must be loose and not eye-catching Cannot be see-through or resemble men’s

clothing

“Khimar”

Proper name given to the headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women Purpose is to cover the hair, ears and

throat but not the face

“Burqa”

Full-length dress covering entire body and most of face

Requirements for men?

The Koran requires men to dress a certain way also " Say to the believing man that they should lower their

gaze and guard their modesty ; that will make for greater purity for them, and God is well acquainted with all they do. " [Quran : 24.30]

Rules for male dress:1) Must be covered from navel to knees.

2) Clothing should not be tight.

3) Should not attempt to attract attention.

Expression or Oppression?

Critics of hijab say that this form of dress oppresses women, violates their human rights and places them in an inferior position to men. Currently, 2 nations (Saudi Arabia and Iran) require women to

wear some form of hijab

Some supporters say that the hijab is an expression of modesty, and it prevents people from judging based on appearances.

**What do you think?

On Dress:

Here are two more religious verses that concern dress and piety: I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and

propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5181079

http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-the-hijab-be-banned-in-schools-public-buildings-or-society-in-general