LAHORE, Sept 03: Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad has lashed
out at secular elements' propaganda that Hijab is just a customary obligation
and a symbol of backwardness and suppression of women.
He was addressing a function at Mansoorah on Wednesday in connection with
the World Hijab Day and the inauguration of "Qawareer Fashion" selling new
designs of headscarves. JI Women Wing secretary Sameea Raheel Qazi, and other
leaders Senator Kausar Firdaus, wife of Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Aafia Sarwar and
others also attended the ceremony which was attended by hundreds of women
belonging to JI and other religious groups besides others representing
different walks of life.
Addressing the gathering, Qazi Hussain Ahmad said the spirit of World
Hijab Day is to counter the western propaganda linking Hijab with backwardness,
terrorism and repression of women. He said the secular lobbies involved in
anti-Islam propaganda ridiculed all Islamic principles but their prime targets
were Hijab and Jihad since they enjoy key positions in fortifying and promoting
Islam.
Qazi said the secular elements attack Hijab by attributing it with the
oppression of women in Muslim society whereas it is the symbol of women's
modesty, prestige and honor in the Muslim society.
Citing the Hadith of the holy prophet (PBUH) that 'Modesty is the
characteristic of my Ummah', Qazi expressed sorrow that the modesty of a large
section of Muslim women was vanquished under secular and western cultural
onslaught. Women's hijab was shredded and she was made a tool of advertisement
and entertainment, and was being exploited to sell the commodities, he
lamented. Qazi praised the women adhering to Hijab saying it reflected a great
commitment. He said the Muslim women observing Hijab Day showed that they
observe Hijab for the sake of modesty and protect their honor. Qazi said Muslim
men held women in high respect, "our heads bow before them for their honor and
respect." He wondered why the infidels around the world were feeling threatened
of Hijab, saying they probably felt it was the symbol of Muslim civilization's
renaissance.
Qazi said many western governments had banned Hijab like France, Holland
and Denmark terming it a religious symbol and holding that they could not allow
a religious symbolism in their secular societies. Qazi said such a plea was the
worst kind of violation of women's rights since Muslim women take Hijab to obey
Allah besides protecting themselves and consider it a means of their security.
Qazi also criticized joint celebration of Independence Day at Wagah
border, saying the dresses of women dancing on both sides of the border were no
different. He reminded that Islam kept half share of women in inheritance and
relieved her of all responsibilities of providing food and shelter to the
family since man was made responsible for them. He said western family system
was in shambles since they made their women over burdened with responsibilities
of providing subsistence. He said the western media was also tarnishing Islam
in the garb of suicide attacks.
Later, Qazi presented scarves to the women journalists present on the
occasion.
