Maryam Namazie is a political activist, campaigner and blogger
The wonderful atheist Egyptian blogger Aliaa Magda Elmahdy has called on men to veil in solidarity with women. Men in Iran have done this before as well [see featured photo – man’s T-shirt says: down with patriarchy].
The veil’s oppressive; it’s a form of control. Rather than having men wear it too, we need to get rid of it.
I say women should tear it off, stamp on it, burn it – any chance they get.
Interesting fact – in the same blog with a couple days in between, in one place where you are broadcasted in media you claim you are not against the veil but the face-covering. Here, you are claiming you are against it and you want to get rid of it. Either you have a terrible memory or you lie alot. I think its the latter.
There is a difference between calling for a legal ban on the burka, saying that adult women have a ‘right’ to veil (even though that right is as formal as formal can be when you consider how little choice and rights people have), and opposing the veil as a tool for women’s suppression. I can be against the veil and call for it to be burnt but still think people can wear it if they choose. I oppose religion and condemn it but can still think people have a right to their religion… I’ve written extensively about this – it’s not poor memory; it’s that you don’t see the complexity of the issue.
Aliaa Magda Elmahdy continues to be inspiring beyond any expectations. I say if she actually starts a movement of men veiling in solidarity with opressed women we should write a petition to the Nobel Peace Prize committe, get a bazillion signatures from FTB readers and set her up with a nomination.
(Note: I have no clue how Nobel Prize nominees are actually selected. Just saying.)
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