Like a flower garden with its striking flowers, so should humans endeavour to make our humanity, and not our differences, defines us.
With the continuing controversy over Islamophobia in the West, including those regarding the wearing or banning of the hijab and burkini, it seems relevant to ask the question: 'how many Muslims living in the West, say, in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, et al, would give up the individual freedoms they have in these countries and move to live in an Islamic or predominantly Muslim country, say, like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Somalia, Nigeria, et at? Where they could practice their religion, or, probably more accurately, live an Islamic way of life?
Could it be that there are not many Muslims who would do so, because, for all of the West's secularism and prejudices and intolerance towards people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious faiths, it is still preferable to the austere, sometimes brutal, and insecure way of living they would have to endure in those countries?
In insisting that they be allowed to continue with some of their customs, such as Muslim women having to cover up, as it were, to protect their virtues and avoid the eyes of prying men, Muslims, it seems to me, are not arguing for the rights of the individual to wear what they want and practice their religion as they want to do. Instead, it really is about what role the Muslim religion should be allowed to play in public life, and whether they would be being given preferential treatment which is denied those who follow other religions.
Of course, the biggest problem is that pertaining to different perceptions which Muslims have about their faith; namely that of whether they follow it a 'religion' or as 'a way of living'? The latter would clearly not be compatible with western secularism, whereas the former might require Muslims - similar to other faiths - to eschew wearing their religion on their foreheads, and setting themselves apart from other citizens.
Those who insist on 'their right and freedom to wear the hijab, the burqa, and/or burkini, do have a point, when it is argued from the perspective of 'the individual.' When it is argued from the perspective of the Islamic religion, it becomes more questionable, as it, arguably, conflicts with the west's secularism.
There is a danger of the concept and practice of the rights and freedoms of the individual being used to allow and/or perpetuate some conservative and reactionary Islam practices in public life. This should be avoided, on the basis that it risk running counter to secularism and the evolution of increased social inclusion and cohesion.
Like beautiful flowers, so do women take pride in and declare their beauty, without it being seen as an invitation by lecherous men to take advantage of.
Yes, it really is the case that the west would be being intolerant to preclude those people of the Muslim faith who want to indulge in the more conservative and reactionary aspects of Islam, while criticising the greater intolerance of Islamic societies towards the expression of individual human rights and freedoms. Yet, it is not so much a matter of whether 'intolerance' per se is right or wrong, but rather the degree of the intolerance which is being shown.
The real concern of the west is that conservative and reactionary Islam poses a real threat to the very freedoms, liberty, security and cohesive and progressive society which stands to benefit all of us. The wearing of burqa and burkinis sets the wearers apart from the rest of society and open them to stigmatisation and redicule. It does not augurs well for inclusiveness and cohesiveness. In other words, it could perpetuate tensions between conservative Muslims and progressive Muslims, and between Muslims and citizens who are not Muslims.
It is not sufficient to only live in the west, but, if one desires and is serious about living in the west, then one should also endeavour to, at least gradually, assume the world view of the west; which is not to say one cannot or should not criticise and take issue with it. But that, of course, is also one of the virtues of the west, the fact that you can criticise and take issue with it, whereas one would do so at ones great peril, if you are in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, et al.
It might well be the case that the temporary wearing of the burkinis, the hijab, and, even the burqa, might prove to be evolutionary stepping stones in the Muslims of the west evolving their own 'western version of Islam'; which which is more at ease and compatible with the west's weltanschauung, or worldview.
There is a need for alot more debate. It seems to me that, as with any evolutionary process, the outcome will be determined by the relevant strength and persistence of the respective forces at play in the environment in which the organism lives. Change will definitely take place and the concern has to be that those changes should not result in the death of the original organism, in this case, that of western secularism, but in making it better and stronger.
Endeavour to live your life as happily as you can, and avoid placing too much emphasis on your bodily attire, or covering up your beauty and repressing your individuality. Aim to shine as a bright star and not be contented to simply be an undifferentiated part of a formless whole. This is the only life you will have; live it for you, and not for your religion or god, neither of whom you can satisfy.
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