islam_women

WORLD & I

BRIDES OF THE DESERT :Qatari Women Bridge Past and Present :by Rachel Hajar

ORIGINS OF VEILING

The Qur'an regulates aspects of every Muslim's daily life, from the mundane tothe spiritual, and its verses refer to the veil as appropriate dress for women in thepresence of men who are nonrelatives or potential husbands. But Islam did notinstitute the custom of veiling. It simply adopted a practice that had originated inantiquity. Indeed, veiling was known in Western societies, and veils are still wornby brides during marriage ceremonies.

Long before the time of Muhammad, the peoples of the Middle East paid attentionto particular ways of dressing, for both sexes, that indicated an individual'sidentity, origins, and social status. The veil was established as a symbol of respectability. Assyrian and Babylonian noblewomen veiled themselves when appearingin public places, while slave women, courtesans, and prostitutes were forbidden to wear them.

There are references to veiling in the Old Testament: "For she had said unto theservant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant hadsaid, It is my master. Therefore she took a veil and covered herself" (Gen. 24:65).

Ancient sculptures portray noblewomen of Palmyra and Yemen wearing ornate veilsand wraps to show off their status and wealth. References to different forms ofveiling abound in pre- Islamic Arab poetry. Distinguished tribes in pre-IslamicArabia considered it a manifestation of prestige, nobility, and honor. Women who wore the veil were completely honorable and therefore chaste. During tribal wars,distinguished women would unveil themselves to avoid being taken hostage for bounty.

MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

Marriages in Qatar are arranged and subject to rigorously observed rituals and ceremonies. Customs reflect the tribal nature of a society based on patriarchy andkinship. Yet enforced marriages are now obsolete.

The women of the prospective groom's family usually choose the bride. Thesuitability of proposed marriage partners is based on tribal origin and financial,social, and moral status. The bride's physical attractiveness, manners, andpersonality are also parts of the equation. Girls used to be married at aroundthirteen years of age, but now the age range is eighteen to twenty-six. Marriage is both a secular contract and a religious sacrament. If the bride-to-be agrees to the marriage, asharia (Islamic legal system) judge draws upthe marriage contract (which includes terms of the dowry). After certification, the parties are considered husband and wife on legal and religious grounds. Socially,however, they are regarded as only engaged. Hence, contact between them is not allowed until the night of the wedding celebration. Most families strictly observe this custom, but a few will allow an engaged couple to meet under supervision.

Both men and women have the right to seek dissolution of an unsuccessful marriage. Some marriages do end in divorce, but the incidence is low and no stigma attaches to a divorced woman. She can remarry and will be given custody of her smaller children, unless she is considered unfit. But the father is still responsiblefor supporting his children. A divorced woman generally goes back to live with her family.

Islam allows but discourages polygamy, and it is rarely practiced (except amongthe aristocracy). Women loathe and condemn it, and most men look down upon it. Thoughonce a symbol of a man's social status and wealth, polygamy is known to have adisruptive effect on the family psyche. Many popular proverbs make this point: "The house of one wife is a success, of two wives a disaster, and of three wives dustbin."

Rachel Hajar is a doctor specializing in cardiology who lives in Doha.

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