Why I veiled myself

After a long drawn battle of wits with my dad, I finally won. Won what? you would ask. I won the right to veil myself, to cover myself completely from head to toe leaving only my eyes open.

It so happens that I’m someone who has been unanimously declared by most of my friends as a ‘tomboy’. Thats basically due to my complete lack of any interest in anything a girl adores , i.e clothing, jewellery ,makeup and of course boys. That is without mentioning a bizarre interest in motorbikes, electronics and wiring. Now why would I, of all people, want to cover myself in a manner in which the world considers as nothing short of oppression? Why am I not rather battling with my dad to wear tshirts , shirts, denims and shorts??

Its because I want to be free. I want to be free to wear what I want , to do what I want and think in the way I want and not end up harming myself in anyway I don’t want. And its also because I don’t want some men running their eyes down my body resting in places I don’t want it to and most probably having thoughts that would make me cringe. Even if my interests lies away from that of a normal female, my body, it so happens is not. Regardless of the fact if we are good looking or not, females do and have been given the ability to attract males. Yet sometimes in an undesirable manner (check the daily rape rates which runs to 1000s for conformation) with their figures, faces and their voices. You’d sure agree with me on that. And I DO want to be respected and accepted for what I am and not for the curves I may carry.

And now being completely veiled together with a flowing cloak over my clothes which completely covers me whenever I go out no man can see me in a way that I don’t want them to. Know that a gem on display is more likely to be stolen than that same gem wrapped and kept away from prying eyes.

But one factor all those men in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and in any other ‘tans’ need to know is that NO woman whatsoever can be forced to veil herself if she doesn’t want to. If you guys are Muslims then how come you seem to have forgotten what the Quran clearly says; “Let there be no compulsion in religion FOR THE TRUTH STANDS OUT CLEAR FROM ERROR”?? If she feels that the burka has no benefit for her, then so be it. Its her wish. If the creator himself does not will compulsion then how can you, a creation will so???

And to all those who give me a look as though I’m crazy to wear the veil in all that heat let me tell you that its worth for every minute of the freedom, the privacy and the safety I get in return. And to those who think I’m oppressed, imprisoned, illiterate and old fashioned then I’ll declare to all of you that I am proud of what I am and I am proud to be a muslim. And I am; to be in a country where its leaders , with whatever shortcomings prefer to battle against terrorists in order to liberate a country from their clutches rather than leaders who, clearly unable to battle terrorists would rather tackle a woman’s wardrobe in order to liberate these women from just the clothes they want to wear. And to be in a country where people can be found as people and those who accept you for what you are regardless of who you may be: I am more prouder to be a Sri Lankan.

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