Name: Mazin  - United States 
Title: Hijab in France: Muslims' Role  

Question: In light of the pressure faced by French Muslims with
regard to hijab, what do you say regarding the issue? Your opinion is
very much appreciated.  

Date: 18/Dec/2003  

Mufti:
Group of Muftis  

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be
upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner,

we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us,
and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His Cause and render
our work for His Sake.

Muslims in France should try their best to pressure public opinion to
change the prospective law may ban hijab in schools. They should
consider that banning of hijab is a challenge to their identity in
that country. Whatever steps they take, they should apply wisdom in
their approach, as resorting to stern measures is not a viable
solution.

Responding to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and
Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
states the following:

"As Muslims, we must stand up and fight for our rights by using
all the constitutional and legal means open to us. By enacting such
an unjust law, they are undermining the very spirit of the founding
principles of their nation. So we must use all available means open
to us to get this law changed.

To give in and resign to unjust laws is tantamount to surrendering
our faith. So we have no choice but to join forces with all others
who are against such unjust laws and get them changed. By trusting in
Allah and working diligently and in solidarity with all fellow
citizens on this matter, ultimately we will be the winners. Remember
the stories of Prophets as told in the Qur'an that teach us that
Allah's Assistance is near to those who excel in their efforts. So
never give up the struggle. Allah says: "Those who strive for Our
sake, We shall surely guide them unto Our ways!"" (Al-`Ankabut:
69).

Moreover, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Member of the European Council for Fatwa
and Research and the Fiqh Council of North America, adds:

"We must explain to the public and authorities that unlike
wearing large crosses or other religious symbols, the case of hijab
is different in at least three ways:

1. It is not a matter of religious symbolism, but it is a command of
Allah to Muslim women, and it is part of their religious practice,
not symbolism.

2. Muslim women who choose to observe that religious practice are not
doing that to challenge the political system, but to practice their
due religious freedom, which is by no means intended to hurt others
or make any political statements.

3. The nature of Islam as a religion is such that the practice of
modesty includes both private and public life. This is part of
secularism, not to promote religion or oppress it for that matter.

Muslims should never accept that any non-Muslim define for them what
their religion is or demand that they give up their religious belief
and practice that does not infringe on others' freedom. All
measures
should be done firmly but peacefully and articulately.

When opponents of hijab refer to the principle of equality as one of
the bases of the French Republic, they should also refer to freedom
as another legitimate foundation of the French Republic.

May Allah help you with this hard test of faith."

You can also read:

France: Hijab under Attack
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?
hFatwaID=105030

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write
back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which
pleases Him. Ameen.

Allah Almighty knows best

http://www.islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/display.asp?
hFatwaID=108290