TORONTO STAR: The Elegance of the Modest Woman

While out for dinner last week with colleagues, we sat beside three
20-something women. There was the usual posing and glances exchange,
and as they paid their bill two Muslim women entered and sat nearby.
Whispers were quickly exchanged and we could hear, "Why do they wear
those things anyway?" ... "I feel sorry for them" ... and so on.

As they filed out of the restaurant, we noticed they sported a mixed
collection of the following: skin tight pants, short skirts, exposed
midriffs, push-up bras, high heels, jewelry, see-through or plunging
tops, piercing, lipstick and makeup, and one had breast implants for
certain.

We observed the two Muslim women as they were engaged in
close conversation over coffee. Their graceful features complimented
their dark headscarves and warm eyes. Their natural gestures were
flirty without even trying - revealing natural beauty! And their
clothes, while conservative, brought forth the hidden potential of
something wonderful and truly feminine. The idea of dressing modestly
terrifies some western women - but why?

Perhaps it would trample their "right" to show off.
Would their self-esteem fall along with their
hemlines? After some debates, we identified the cost of the western
"right" to flaunt. The Muslim women were free from the fashion trap
-free to "just be" without posing, comparing, dieting and spending for
the approval of men and each other. And they looked more desirable to
us than the exhibitionists who were in the restaurant and parading on
the sidewalk.

The sexual displays in our culture are so mainstream and
competitive that modesty is seen as regressive. Yet, long term, when a
man looks past the tight pants and heels, he will ultimately detect
not confidence, but a certain unattractive desperation. Modest women
don't have that desperation - they don't compete in the arena of
vanity. They have themselves - and that's the kind of attraction with
legs to last the long run. Remember that the next time you feel sorry
for a Muslim woman.
R. Stevenson
North York

quote:

Originally posted by imala:
TORONTO STAR: The Elegance of the Modest Woman

........... R. Stevenson
North York

Did Stevenson ever consider wearing the elegant headscarves?

quote:

Yet, long term, when a
man looks past the tight pants and heels, he will ultimately detect
not confidence, but a certain unattractive desperation. Modest women
don't have that desperation - they don't compete in the arena of
vanity.

An intelligent observation...tough for our resident ICIP to comprehend :-)

quote:

The idea of dressing modestly
terrifies some western women - but why?

I saw a very chubby woman with midriff out hanging over a tight miniskirt with the outline of a thong underneath, today when I stepped out to lunch. And it almost collided with me!

Man, was I terrified :-))

Imala, thanks for posting this article. Glad to see you back:)

TI, had you lowered your gaze, you would avoided the fright:)

quote:

Originally posted by coco:
Imala, thanks for posting this article. Glad to see you back:)

TI, had you lowered your gaze, you would avoided the fright:)

You are welcome coco :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
[]]

I saw a very chubby woman with midriff out hanging over a tight miniskirt with the outline of a thong underneath, today when I stepped out to lunch. And it almost collided with me!

Man, was I terrified :-))

was not me, i wear boxers under me skirts!

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nice article...cool

the article reveals a human with a good heart. Some women wear the hijab for purely reasons of piety..and then often, it is like a light shining. I remember giving a lecture once in Montreal, and showing all the reasons why it was not necessary. A Kuwaiti girl listened. In the end she said "His arguments are solid. I cannot fight them, but I wear this because deep down I feel that my lord would be offended with me if I did not." (paraphrase). Her honesty was so beautiful. I never met her...this was relayed to me by her professor.

quote:

Originally posted by chameli:

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
[]]

I saw a very chubby woman with midriff out hanging over a tight miniskirt with the outline of a thong underneath, today when I stepped out to lunch. And it almost collided with me!

Man, was I terrified :-))

was not me, i wear boxers under me skirts!

----------------------
nice article...cool

Must ask raj fi tell you what professor pyarelall did inna de store when she tried to tell him to be quiet and not use certain langwij.