Misunderstood modesty?

Picture this - I'm driving up one of the steep roads of Lancashire. I see a vehicle on the other side of the road travelling down. There's an obstruction on the way down and the highway code gives me right of way. Not so according to this other driver as we come bumper to bumper.

The vehicle slows to edge past but not before the driver glares at me mouthing the words "trucking dental" (cockney rhyming slang). Why should that shock me with the likes of Eamon and Eminem topping the charts, vile language is the bread and butter of every youngsters dialogue.

I was offended but more shocked that the perpetrator wore a headscarf!

The episode leads me to study further the whole subject of Purdah. I spoke to two learned individuals in my quest to understand the subject more thoroughly.

I started with the question of 'What is purdah?' Moulana Nasrullah Anwar, Director of the Lancashire Councils of Mosques said "Cover the body, but this is not enough if you dress like others it doesn't identify you as a Muslim". I further asked of the girls who dress in fitted jeans and tops while wearing a headscarf.

Moullana Nasrullah was adamant in his response "It defeats the whole purpose and the same goes for the men who wear fitted T-shirts and jeans".

He went on to say "It's common for ladies to only cover their head, however some people believe the face should also be covered (known as the nikab)". When asked between a lady who is dressed in fitted western clothing and the lady in loose Asian dress without her head covered, which is worse, he responded "It's about the same, purdah should be the body covered in modesty along with the hair".

Moullana Rafiq said of Purdah, "To cover all the body, Islamic dress is preferential as the requirement is not to simply cover, but done with loose clothing so as not to reveal the shape of the body. The covering of the head is not the complete hijab requirement. One should start with the body then the head and ultimately cover everything, including hands and face".

When I started this article my understanding of Purdah was modesty. I also had read that Purdah was also meant for the eyes and the heart. These thoughts are deeper or maybe on a differing spiritual level. Was the wearing of fitted western clothing whilst sporting a headscarf "defeating the purpose".

For me the individual seems to be displaying a level of hypocrisy. I question firstly the individuals understanding of purdah and secondly their motivation in attempting to adhere to it - is it for her parents, peer pressure or society at large?

I'm not judging, I simply feel these ladies need to take a moment and look at how they are perceived when such a mixed message is being sent out. When Islam speaks of Din aur Duniya (religion and world) I doubt this was meant to be the interpretation. I clearly recall an episode that I have never forgotten due to its eccentricity. Viewing someone elses holiday photos, I noticed there was sun, sea, swimsuits and a. ...Scarf. I almost choked on my lychee tea (Indian tea).

I asked about the east meets west attire of the individual lying by the poolside in her swimsuit, a radiant smile on her face and the headscarf firmly in place. Her friend replied 'Oh she's really holy she always covers her head'. Excuse my total ignorance but if I, as a Muslim, found this to be the most bizarre of images then the average non-muslim must be completely perplexed. I take my hat (or should that be scarf) off to those who have taken on the hijab but I do feel a degree of confusion, misunderstanding and even culture invading on this delicate but important subject.

A friend of mine said 'Sarvat I've been meaning to ask you something, these ladies who walk around completely covered in black, even their faces are they fundamentalists?'

This kind old man has not a bad bone in his body, an image he has seen on TV now leads him to put two and two together to make a mind boggling number puzzle.

This word now unfortunately conjures up images of death, violence and destruction. Maybe I should have said yes, surely a movement favouring strict observance of the teachings of the Koran and Islamic law is not something to distance oneself from right?

My mind goes back to the veiled girl racer who demonstrated rage the likes of which made the wearing of her headscarf appear dishonourable.

Hey, don't get me wrong I don't know the story before she got in the car, she may have just killed herself preparing a sixteen-course meal for her husband who by way of a compliment said it was 'alright' and now she was dashing to pick up the kids from school. I guess I expected better from someone who had taken the step to display a sign of her religious belief. When I looked at her animated gesturing in her attempt to vent her frustration, the words that came to mind were Shame on you!!u=C6165FF6'Was wearing fitted western clothing and sporting a head scarf defeating the purpose?