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By Abu H Sufyan
The question of "free-mixing" over the last decade or two has got a bit out of hand I think. Some self-righteous and self-pious men are using this to exclude women from society. Segregation is not a concept, which is compatible with Islam. I cannot imagine where in the Qur'an and Sunnah it encourages or orders that women should always be out of sight; never to be heard as equals; never to be able to contribute their God-given abilities to better their society and communities; never to be able to take on tasks which may take them away from their homes; or should I say kitchens to be precise?
Islam never did forbid "mixing" of the sexes. This term "mixing" is used and adopted by some Muslim writers today in response to the extremism and looseness which exists in mainly today's western societies. To respond to this challenge by making statements such as 'Islam forbids free-mixing' is to distort the teachings of Islam and show a sign of incompetence, lack of creativity on part of some of these writers. Instead they should be articulating vigorously the true concept of Hijab and how it truly liberates women and does not isolate them. But they would rather bury their heads in the sand, instead of addressing one of the most fundamental questions relating to the development of Muslim communities and societies in this country and abroad in the 21st century - 'the great gender deficit'.
Women who are just as capable and competent if not more so than men in many fields of life, are excluded because it is considered not appropriate, or that 'women belong in the home' or 'may' lead to 'temptation' if they are out and about. The fanatical Wahhabi Sheikhs in Saudi who ban women from driving use this ridiculously absurd and deeply offensive argument!
The sources of Islam do not dwell on physical segregation or on women's issues in particular. Rather they manage human affairs and address issues common to both male and female. One can argue that on the whole Islam encourages an interactive relationship between men and women in all areas of society, but like all other matters, Islam sets out certain boundaries. In other words "mixing" in the broad sense is permissible, except where it is forbidden.
Also consider the broader question of segregation in a Muslim society. While remaining firmly attached to our religious traditions and values, we need to constantly re-evaluate where our habits and customs are coming from.
Some 'pious' people feel that in a so-called 'true' Muslim society men and women would be so pious, they would never mix - they would walk on separate pavements, live in totally separate worlds. Honestly! Where do these ideas come from? I do not believe for a moment the Qur'an and Sunnah would in any terms teach such extremism and rigidity.
It is shocking to hear that, even in 21st century Britain, there are cases where some 'pious' Muslim men walk out of gatherings and meetings because there are women in the same room! Whether they are covered in Hijab or not is not the question. They are women and they should be in a separate, secluded room as far away as possible from the sights of men!
This I say is total hypocrisy! You will see that these same men are happy to go to shops and be served by women (almost always uncovered non-Muslims); they can work with female colleagues, talk freely, sit in the same room, eat in the same canteens; walk around in markets with women all around them; sit and stand on buses and the tube next to and close to women…need I go on? Where does this self-piety go then? If they were basing all their actions on being careful, and cautious, lest it may lead to temptation, then should they not be sitting at home locked away or take a one way ticket to a desert island and live there, out of sight out of mind? Maybe they should keep their own minds in check, locked up, instead of depriving half our nation of their God given right to exist and be part of their society.
This double standard in the men of our community is holding us back. We must have a very radical change in the Muslim psyche, especially those who are being brought up and educated in this country, or else we risk always being alien and our women will always be 'second class' citizens, despite the rhetoric of freedom and liberation!
Finally comes the question of development of the Muslim community - to that I would say for as long as we have half our nation chained to sinks on a full time basis - we can keep dreaming for another millennia - God help us!
As far as I have learned the notion of Hijab is liberating rather than confining, i.e. it is precisely so that men and women can mix, rather than remain separate. If they were always separate there's no need for the Hijab, and God knows best.
Abu H Sufyan
Originally written in 2001 and published in May 2003
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