Purdah of Alawi Women Vs Muslim Purdah
Reader comment on item: The Alawi Capture of Power in Syria

Submitted by Allison Knight (United States), Sep 4, 2005 at 23:39

Daniel Pipes says that the Alawi women, although they were abused, enjoyed greater freedom than Muslim women because they didn't have to observe purdah. ...what you imply is that men decide what purdah is for women and they enforce the restrictions. ...
Purdah is a very simple thing and a very valuable thing. And surprise, it can be self-imposed, not imposed by a Muslim dictatorship--ie. husband or family.

I observe purdah and I would choose that over a life of abuse. I am sure there are many women who would agree with me. I wear a light coat and a scarf. They are not restrictive. It is my privacy. I can have a bad hair day and no one will know. I don't have to have a million dollar outfit on, because a clean outer coat serves to give me dignity. If you have been to New York, you've seen the half-naked women jiggling their way down the street. I don't envy them their "freedom" at all. They are welcome to it.

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Allison Knight

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