The hijab, or headscarf, has emerged as a subject of heated debate not only in Egypt but also across the wider Arab and Muslim world. While some argue that it is an absolute obligation imposed upon women, others say that expressing one’s religion is not confined to a piece of clothing and that women should have the freedom to choose whatever they want to wear. In recent years, what is sometimes referred to as reformist Islamic scholars have emerged on the scene of religious debate in Egypt, appearing on nightly talk shows, hosting events or creating their own YouTube channels to spread their message. They are largely young and some of them are critical of the old generation of religious authorities that have for long dictated how the religious texts of Islam should be interpreted. With this background, al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world’s oldest seat of learning, issued a fatwa, or religious verdict, on Monday saying that the hijab is compulsory for Muslim women and those who oppose this view are “abnormal” and “extremist”. In a statement, the institution asserted that the obligation of hijab has been proven in the…
Hijab is Compulsory, Further Debates are Non-Negotiable: Al-Azhar
December 7, 2017
