Clash of the Shaikhs: on the Burq’a, Iran’s Ahmadinejad, and Great Arabic Poetry……….
Saudi media are again reporting a clash among clerics. This time with regard to the French ban on the veil or burq’a (niqab) that is required for women in public in Saudi Arabia. Shaikh A al-Qarni, a leading Saudi cleric, lashed out at France for moving to ban Muslim face-veils, but approved Muslim women foregoing veils when visiting a country which outlaws them, a Saudi paper reported on Saturday………. He wisely opined that if Muslim women are in a country that has banned the niqab, or full-face veil, or if they face harassment in such a place, "it is better that the Muslim woman uncovers her face." Numerous scholars of various Islamic schools of thought agree on this point, Qarni said…… Another cleric, Dr al-Nujaimi said that Muslim women should not go as tourists to non-Muslim countries so that they can be forced to unveil their faces……
This is not the last word: now other clergy will be forced to opine publicly. No debate is as exciting in Saudi Arabia as when Salafi clergy argue about an issue. No debate exists, none is allowed, in Saudi Arabia except between clergy on certain issues of religion. But the hungry Saudi media grasp whatever ‘debate’ is available: it is more exciting than covering Ahmadinejad or royal princes presiding over recitations of tribal poetry (even though the poetry can be very, very, good. Arabic poetry often is very, very good; among the best, if not the best in the world).
Cheers
mhg
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