Facing the Veil

Accidentally bumped into a 20-ish muslim mother today- she was covered up, wearing the traditional veil that covered her head and hair but not her face. Very polite, very smiley, accepted my apology for the bump. Lovely woman. Her little girl was with her, free spirited, (minus a veil/headdress) looking at everything with wonder in her eyes. Adorable, looked at me like I was some kind of giant, though. (I am rather tall for a girl.)

I wondered at this woman: How is it that you can suddenly, one day, make this free-spirited, laughing little girl cover up what she is? To cover her head as if she should be ashamed of what you believe ‘God’ gave her in the first place? How can you tell your own child that her freedom is forfeit, that she has to hide herself away?

I am of the belief that girls should wear what they want, while having respect for themselves and their own dignity. I believe that hair should be a glorious thing, uncovered- the ‘Boudicca’ or Artemis image of wild and free and that a woman should be exactly that. Religion quashes freedom- even the most basic type of it. Allow your little girl to grow up as she wishes; EVERY parent of EVERY religion… don’t tell your daughters that they should hide themselves from the world.