Every woman--and man--should try one on...The Burqa, a garment worn by Muslim women which conceals the entire body except the eyes, has been in the news a lot lately. According to the BBC, the Dutch parliament voted in favor of a proposal to ban the burqa outside the home, and some in the government have thrown their weight behind it.
Actually, donning a Burqa has recently been adopted by celebreties. A couple weeks ago, Michael Jackson was seen shopping in Bahrain on Wednesday disguised as a traditional Arab woman, apparently to avoid public attention.
And British actress Kate Beckinsale has revealed she is considering wearing a burqa in a bid to beat the paparazzi. She is thinking of designing a non-religious version of the outfit in a bid to stop being hounded by fans and photographers.
"We should design a non-religious celebrity burqa with a floral print."
Now you’re talking, Kate!
When visiting my Ruth who had purchased some jewelry and scarves made by Afghan women (through Solace International) I noticed a light blue burqa hanging in the entryway. This was my chance. I slipped it on and walked around the living room. My world became very, very small and confined. It was like looking through a colander. My peripheral vision was reduced to a narrow tunnel. I couldn’t see the ground in front of me.
No doubt, the history of Islamic clothing is a complicated one, often changing with politics, culture and religion. Wandering around Ruth’s house, I thought of more practical matters at hand: How on earth would I cook, type, sow seeds, weed, and turn the compost pile wearing one of these things?!?
