The hijab is a form of independence for women as it promotes modesty and prevents sexual abuse, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) said today.
In its Friday sermon ahead of the National Day celebrations, Jawi said that the hijab protects a woman’s “sacred dignity” from abuse and harassment.
“The requirement of Hijab is also a form of independence for women, as protection from any form of harassment,” the sermon said.
“The Quran mentions that hijab is recommended for women so that they are recognized as modest women and prevents them from becoming victims of sexual abuse.
“However, some people with cynical views consider hijab as confining women in their garments whereas, as a fact, that is true freedom and true independence, when a woman’s sacred dignity is saved from being the target of abuse and harassment,” it added.
The sermon was themed “True Independence” and was prepared in conjunction with the upcoming National Day and yesterday’s National Women’s Day.
The sermon also stressed that Islam recognises independence and freedom with being free to submit to Allah and being free from the shackles of tyranny as forms of independence.
It added that for Islam, freedom is not specifically for Muslims alone and that it is a right that should be enjoyed by people of all races and religion.
In September last year, a Friday sermon by Jawi had blamed women who do not cover their “aurat,” or intimate body parts, for causing social ills that would affect even those who do.
The sermon last year had also compared uncovered women to uncovered dishes, which it said are bound to frequented by flies, making them unappetising. themalaymailonline
