Seen Today at Local Pool

[festive1]

The burqa isn't necessarily to "other" the woman, although it produces that effect, but to keep men from lusting after her by hiding her shape.

While the intended purpose is to "protect" women from lustful men, I'd say it does "other" women. It others them in their society, or actually it others women who do not conform to this standard. It others the women when they are visiting or living in a different society as well. No matter the motivation, the end result is it separates these women from more moderate women within their cultures, from men, and also shapes how people within and without their culture interact with and perceive them. I'd say that within Islamic culture this is part of the desire for women to wear the burqa, it keeps women isolated and subservient.

[thesummerqueen]

You're right, I was just pointing out that it is not its stated purpose.

What we're discussing on this thread are two separate issues: being uninhibited about one's body, and the choice to wear what you want.

She might have been able to wear a swimsuit...and she might have stayed in the burqa because she feels uncomfortable being scrutinized. I don't agree with the burqa for any reason, mind, but if she felt uncomfortable she might have fallen back into the anonymity the burqa gives her.

[festive1]

Cultures are influenced by other cultures they come in contact with. But lasting changes to a culture come from within. How can Islamic culture change in regards to women's issues, in the presence of this, in many cases, female perpetuated, cultural attitude about something as fundamental as the appropriateness of women's bodies? I see a big hurdle with outside cultural influences reaching these women. However, I refuse to believe it can't change, because there are examples of moderate Islamic societies where women are treated more equally, if not as equally as in Western or other cultures.

[Minimalist]

The burqa isn't necessarily to "other" the woman, although it produces that effect, but to keep men from lusting after her by hiding her shape.

Men will fuck sheep - especially in allah-ridden countries. All the burqa does is announce "Pussy Herein."

[Rahul]

Men will fuck sheep - especially in allah-ridden countries. All the burqa does is announce "Pussy Herein."

I had an Arab Muslim kid work for me one time at one job. He was born in Iowa and was very liberal for a Muslim.

Growing up he spent time in Saudi Arabia for a few years when his dad had a job over there working for the US government.

He told me that the young unmarried guys would go out into the desert at night and screw each other because they couldn't get any access to women.

No wonder these people will blow themselves up for a dubious promise of 72 virgins in Paradise.

[thesummerqueen]

The burqa isn't necessarily to "other" the woman, although it produces that effect, but to keep men from lusting after her by hiding her shape.

Men will fuck sheep - especially in allah-ridden countries. All the burqa does is announce "Pussy Herein."

I didn't say it worked.

[Kim]

I really wonder how many of these women would wear these types of get ups if they weren't pressured by their culture...

This is an interesting question. My sister is a devout Muslim and wears all black and "nikab" by her own choice. Not only she believes it is must for Muslim women to dress in such a way, but any woman who does not conform to that dress code is a sinner and a "danger" to society. The common belief is that Muslim women wear this because they are forced to by either their family and/or their culture, and while this is partly true; I have noticed that most believe it is a requirement of faith to dress in a certain manner.

---

He told me that the young unmarried guys would go out into the desert at night and screw each other because they couldn't get any access to women.

Errr, well I'm from Kuwait and while the situation in Saudi Arabia is quite desperate, the above statement is full of bullshit. I'm sure there is homosexuality, maybe even more than average, but to claim it is common is ridiculous.

[Something completely different]

Took the kids to a local pool today. We all had a good time, but I noticed a woman who was probably not having much fun... A Muslim woman, wearing the full get up, only an eye slit. This is DC summer, it's 95* out, and of course her get up was black. Her sons were happily playing around in board shorts. Her daughters were wearing special head scarves and knee length outfits with sleeves to their elbows. I do believe I caused some embarrassment in the women's changing room as my boys were getting dressed while her girls were changing Oh well... I felt bad she couldn't cool off like everyone else at the pool. Women are not equal in Islam, anyone who says else wise is lying.

You can still go to pools in the US!???



Pools here are filled with discusting unemployed, uneducated drunk morons with their breed of 5 children which allow them to get drunk on wellfair benefits. The smell of chlorine which is added to the pool is everywhere, which is an evident sign that people piss in the water in masses (since the more people piss in the water, the more prevalent the smell). And everyones eyes are red due to the chlorine aswell.

When I want to swim, I go to a local river or lake with some friend. Where the water is clean and one is undisturbed and has some privacy. Although I have to admit that I also usualy take 2 or 3 sixpacks of beer and some vodka with me. Although I dont pay it with wellfair checks.

Oh wait... I do.

I had swimming lessons in highschool, from my 11th to 15th year of age. I was in class with some muslim girls and all of them with the exception of one went swimming without a "special suit". Probably because almoust all muslims here are from a Turkish background and Turkey has a more modern and secular culture compared to the Arab holes of darkness in their neighbourhood. Actualy, when I was in Istanbul, the scenery at the beaches was almoust the same as in any beach in Spain, Portugal, Italy or France.

[festive1]

I really wonder how many of these women would wear these types of get ups if they weren't pressured by their culture...

This is an interesting question. My sister is a devout Muslim and wears all black and "nikab" by her own choice. Not only she believes it is must for Muslim women to dress in such a way, but any woman who does not conform to that dress code is a sinner and a "danger" to society. The common belief is that Muslim women wear this because they are forced to by either their family and/or their culture, and while this is partly true; I have noticed that most believe it is a requirement of faith to dress in a certain manner.

Was your sister raised Muslim? I'm guessing yes, as you say you are from Kuwait. How is that anything other than conforming to a cultural norm? Where is the choice in wearing a full body coverup, when failure to do so leads to being rejected or being thought of and treated as unfaithful to the belief system? And the judging of other women, including Muslim women, who do not cover themselves fully... Believing oneself better or more pious, I don't know, it seems like martyrdom.
I'm all for cultural plurality, but a society that pressures every member to conform to such rigid standards seems excessively controlling to me.
@Germans, the Anacostia and Potomac rivers are really disgusting. Dead fish, dirty water, just gross. It's either the pool or nothing. The pool we visited was nice, though the baby pool reeked of chlorine as you mention from all the little kids pissing in it. But they also had a regular swimming pool, diving pool, 3 water slides, a lazy river, and a big kid's pool (which we mainly hung out in). It was a public pool and cost about $15 for all of us, but one could also join a fancy private pool for about $800 a season if one was so inclined.

[popeyespappy]

Took the kids to a local pool today. We all had a good time, but I noticed a woman who was probably not having much fun... A Muslim woman, wearing the full get up, only an eye slit. This is DC summer, it's 95* out, and of course her get up was black. Her sons were happily playing around in board shorts. Her daughters were wearing special head scarves and knee length outfits with sleeves to their elbows. I do believe I caused some embarrassment in the women's changing room as my boys were getting dressed while her girls were changing Oh well... I felt bad she couldn't cool off like everyone else at the pool. Women are not equal in Islam, anyone who says else wise is lying.

Forget the burkas. Tell us about the other scantily clad MILFs.