Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Headcovering Journeys

Life is a journey, and we keep learning everyday. Please read, share, and consider...

One Year Headcovering Anniversary
August 18, 2008 — Anna of Veiled Glory
(interesting how those responding also have only been covering for the past few years)

Is Hair the Covering?
August 16, 2008 - Lacy of A Godly Maiden
(private study using outside sources by a lovely younger woman)

A Crowning Glory
Friday, August 15, 2008 - Jules of On Eagles' Wings
(personal testimony on her decision to wear her hair long, and to cover it)

The Burden of Explanation
August 16, 2008 - Alana of Free to Cover
(a question humbly asked - who should explain: those who cover or those who don't?)

Some History On Head Coverings
August 7, 2008 - by Tia Lynn of Abandon Image
(considering the issue from some historical viewpoints. Also from this poster:)
What's the Deal with Head Coverings and Hair Length?
(on being thorough and consistent)


And from the "outside":

Head coverings: part 1 of 2
17 August 2008 – Women and Marriage
(with photos - is it only oppression when women cover and not when men do?)
Head coverings: part 2 of 2
(also with a photo, and description of which styles he likes too)

East meets West, some thoughts on racism and beyond.
August 17, 2008 - The Ranting Lad
. . .

The idea of the Hijab being an attitude reflected in a dress sense is echoed in other religions. Although largely died out now, Jewish women up until the nineteenth century would cover their heads as a symbol of pious observance and some of the stricter Hasidic sects still use wigs for this very purpose.

In the Christian tradition St Paul had some interesting things to say about the covering of heads.

"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (I Corinthians 11:3-10).

Bet that sits fairly uncomfortably with some of you and it walks all over the argument that Christianity doesn't make some strict observances on anyone wishing to take it strictly by the book. And if you argue that it's an out dated requirement and open to modern re-evaluation then surely Islam is allowed to undertake its own interpretations of its codes and laws. So it would seem that the idea of covering the head through religious devotion appears in all Abrahamic traditions, whether people chose to observe it to the letter is a different issue, the fact remains that according to all three "religions of the book" there is a strong tradition of head covering and Islam though the centre of the debate at the moment is by no means alone in this.

. . .

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