Islam Learning Goal #1

1.2
Both articles focus on interviewing Muslim women and outlining why they chose to unveil and what the implications of it were. Also, they included what how they felt about wearing the veil and what it meant to them.
Most of the women started off wearing the Hijab for conformity's sake, because they were so young they didn't understand what it meant to cover their bodies. As Heina described, once they grew older they saw the metaphors used for reasons to wear the veil as objectifying instead of protecting. As this realization dawned on them, one by one the girls in the articles began unveiling at differing degrees of speed. Now, the women all enjoy the freedom of being unveiled, as Reem says, she gets to feel the full beauty of nature, and as described in the NPR, the Hijab brought out anti-Islamic feelings from the public after 9/11.
1.3
Clothing is essential to keeping the Umma's identity, and is enforced through strong guidelines and rules pertaining to the dress of faithful Muslims. By creating a dress code for all Muslims, there is a clear identifier that keeps them as a separate group, which in turn makes them a more close-knit community. The rules reflect the values of the community by emphasizing modesty through the covering of Awrahs, or parts of the body that should always be covered except in the presence of one's spouse. By covering their bodies, they physically embody the principle of Haya, which is the inherent shyness and modesty of Muslims. Furthermore, the restrictions on men also promote modesty of one's financial standing too, by prohibiting gold and silk adornments. These restrictions all reflect the overall Muslim community's beliefs on personal conduct by physically displaying the values upheld by the religion.