Wearing Jilbab
Apr 27th, 2007, in News, by PatungFlag bearers on August 17th mustn’t wear the headscarf/jilbab.
In something similar to the recent cases of a reported Headscarf Ban at a hospital in Semarang and at Sogo department stores in Jakarta comes another jilbab controversy, this time in the backwoods of Kediri, East Java.
Prospective female members of the Flag Bearers’ Squad (Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka)) in Kediri, the people, normally first and second year high school students, who raise the national flag during ceremonies celebrating independence day on August 17th, were told that the wearing of headscarfs was not allowed.
Paskibraka members, not a jilbab in sight.
Three young school girls, Angga Atma Proboningrum, Liana Ismail, and Sabria Amalia, approached the selection committee and said that they refused to take part if they had to take off their headscarfs. One of the girls, Sabria, explained that revealing her aurat was unacceptable to her, and that her teachers, the school headmaster, and her parents supported her decision to protect her Muslimah modesty.
The head of her school, the Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Kediri Madrasah, Mr Abu Aman, wrote a formal letter to the organising committee of the Paskibraka complaining about the policy. He said none of his students would take part in the flag hoisting festivities on August 17th because:
Taking off the headscarf and wearing short skirts is against religious norms.
Meanwhile the head of Paskibraka selection committee, Mr Suwito, said the rule against headscarfs was only enforced for two hours on August 17th, and:
It’s central government policy, we can’t change the rules ourselves.
He urged the three dissenting girls to take part in the selection process and if they succeeded discussions would be held with the mayor of Kediri and the Department of Religion to find a solution to the headscarf problem. antara
May 4th 2007. The head of the Paskibraka team in Yogyakarta (DIY), Sudarmin, says the Sports and Youth ministry has never forbidden girls wearing jilbab from being in the Paskibraka squad. He said last year in Yogyakarta there were a number of flag bearers who wore jilbab, without any problems. antara
Both Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah have condemned the Kediri events. tempo
30 Comments on “Wearing Jilbab”
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Dimp says:
Another silly arguments, the government should be discussing issues that are far more important than “jilbab”, if they want to talk about morality, how about showing that the government officials are free from corruption.
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Abul says:
Actually, it doesn’t concern me much whether the girls wearing the headscarf during the ceremony or not. I think being in the flag-bearer squad is quite a special occassion for most students, no wonder they wanna look their best in doing so. What concerns me is that when *all* the kids (moslem or not) are forced to wear moslem infused outfit during the ceremony. 🙂
Btw when I was still in Indonesia (Jakarta), one thing that I notice every friday is that nearly all the girls in public school were wearing long skirt, I just kind of wondering back then whether non moslem girls there were in any way feel ‘co-erced’ to wear the same thing too. I’m talking bout peer pressure here, folks, you know what it’s like being teenagers, and actually I won’t be surprised that somewhere out there, there’s already some ‘recommendation’ coming from the headmaster that for every students, no matter what their religion is, it is recommended to wear things in a ‘religiously’ acceptable kind of way every friday. Hope this is not happening though.
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Arema says:
A breath of fresh air indeed. Being a Muslim has nothing to do with jilbab, and I’m glad to see that finally someone in the government realize that. We have to start realizing that we are Indonesians and not Arabs. And because it is a national ceremony, this regulation is acceptable.
Riccardo, that’s a wonderful comment. 😀 I believe fellow IM-ers share the same sentiment.
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Marie Antoinette says:
Would it be absolutely naive and foolish to wish for a day when the flag-raising commitee does not feel compelled to ban headscarves, and the Muslim students feel compelled to doff their jilbab just for this ceremony?
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Parvita says:
From the practical point of view, it must be difficult to march with long skirts and keeping up with your male and other flag bearers that wears skirt.
When you wear jilbab, the intention is to avoid men’s animal instict, to not attract attention to their physics, so why want to be exposed in the first place? Aurat is not only physical, but also the way you act and speak, no?
It does sound unfair, but there are consequences when you commit to something. And if it is about paying respect to the country, they can always do that at home, in front of their muhrims.
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Agusto says:
Guys, we are talking about islam here, it is a way of life, no matter wahabism or salafism they all share the same book, the only culture and tradition is Arabic and mohamadian.
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Andrew says:
I guess the bottom line used to be (700 years ago): wear jilbab so that you don’t turn on men.
The problem with that is, in the 21st century we see many girls (with jilbab) wear a tight pair of jeans.
I doubt flowing hair turns men on more than a tight pair of jeans.
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A stupid rule. This is Indonesia with more than 200 millions of Muslims, of course they will find girls wearing jilbab everywhere. This rule is for sure a discrimination and a bit ridiculous.
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Rockstar says:
Let them wear jilbab 🙂 I honestly don’t care.
But for some situations, I just don’t quite get the reason why wearing a jilbab is a must. Like often times I see a bunch of teens playing basketball or do outdoor sports with their jilbabs on.
I may find it odd, but they may have their own reason. So I don’t really care.
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Teng says:
I’ve seen people wearing jilbab, dresses and what not jumping into the water in gelanggang renang, and I am like, hygiene people, hygiene.
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Bas says:
to protect her Muslimah modesty
What kind of modesty is that? They refuse to follow the rules of their country. It’s on the contrary a proof of an extraordinary arrogancy and egotic insanity!
Shame on these mad girls who have probably no ideas of what they do to their country. If I was at the head of their school I would fire them from my school.
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Suhada says:
Assalamualaikum. I’m thoroughly and deeply concerned yet overwhelmingly fed enough on this matter. Head coverings, how long our beard should be grown, how long our trousers should be””these trivially superficial matters occupy the discourses in Islam mainstream societies. Sadly, we give so little portion on much more crucial issues such as: welfare, education, economic and social gaps, inter-religion communication.
Readers can refer to my previous comment on Baiturrahman Mosque to find out my perception on this matter.
Here I just want to make my points:
1) Head coverings have nothing to do with Islam faith. It’s a mere tradition””an obviously Arabic one. The very phrase: “to wear their veils over their bosoms” should not and must not be viewed as the legitimate justifications to urge Muslimahs to wear head coverings. A deeper and more thorough look on the phrase within its contemporary socio-cultural matrix will simply negate this mislead. Rasulullah simply urge us Muslims to dress on decent manner. Not necessarily urge us to wear any specific outfits. Hence I urge the deArabization of Islam to spare us these ridiculous discourses.
2) But whether to wear or not to wear head coverings nevertheless should be none of the concern of our government. The rules to urge or to ban head coverings are by all mean naïve and somewhat depict how shallow is our understanding on religious practices. Here and there we fail to distinguish religious virtues from the cultural ambience which enshroud them. Then let any one freely choose to wear or not to wear any head coverings or religious attributes as well.Let us shed light on more crucial matters. Thus we as Muslims can contribute somewhat more significant achievements to relieve our beloved country from this enduring crisis. Wassalam..
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Then let any one freely choose to wear or not to wear any head coverings or religious attributes as well.
I like the number two of your opinion dude. Way to go man! Kudos for you.
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Oigal says:
Well said Suhada, well said indeed.
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Aluang anak Bayang says:
I disagree with jilbab because it can still arouse men. I prefer those that never missed their 5 times prayers wear black burqa and carry nunchakus. http://www.alhediya.com/burqa1.html
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Tom says:
What is the meaning of freedom on 17 August anyway if these girls are abandoned from their rights to do what they think is right? What a shallow rules.
Ricardo: when you start to talk, at least you know something about it. It would be better to read a lot before writing a comment rather than to give a foolish opinion like you did. -
The government should respond accordingly to our history. Women can have the right to wear Jilbab, men and women can have the right to choose their desired relligion. However, a nomad carying the Indonesian flag – must we rewrite history and turn ourself into a nation of Islamic Dominance, a nation without Bhineka Tungal Ika, a nation who have forgotten the principles of Pancasila.
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Abdul Khalid al Jumhuri says:
To those who defend the hijab or jilbab: are you guys Arab? My forefathers came from Hadramaut and now neither my father, brothers, or I do not wear kafiyeh; and neither my sisters, mother, and aunts wear the hijab or jilbab. But if you are so proud to be an Arab, or would love have an Arabic like looks – that is your call. But reality is so clear: in the Arabic peninsula it is hot BUT dry (relative humidy around 40-60%), here in Jakarta it is not only hot (+/-30oC) BUT also humid (relative humidity >90%). If you know what it means, it is just downright damp. However, if you still are happy with that, be my guest! Certainly the Sauds and the al-Wahabs familes are happy to have you as their followers.
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I wonder, because jilbab is meant to cover the aurat, in which head is included, a phone-sex job should be an OK job for jilbabers? 🙂
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Zkel says:
Can’t believe Indo government still so closed minded, it shouldn’t matter whether those girls wear jilbab or not, it is their right to wear or not to wear it, as long as they do the job and march properly I can’t see why it should be a problem.
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Tomaculum says:
I’m still waiting for a statement from FPI. 🙂
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Miss Indo 07 says:
It’s been quite long since the last time I wrote some comments in this forum and now I see a lot of new names. ^^
Hi Tom, how are you?Well, frankly speaking, this news sound a bit weird because usually in indo they want to make it more and more islamic, it’s kinda surprising for me to read that word “musn’t wear jilbab”. But well I only can say my same old word, why should Indonesians always make fuss of this unimportant thing. It’s none of our business whether people wear jilbab or bikini.
*sigh*
Dunno when my country can be a modern country. -
Rukaiyah says:
it makes me grit my teeth to hear stuff like this. I’m not Indonesian, but same difference I’m not Arab either. We are not following any wahabi-ism or mohamad-ism. We are following what Allah has ordained for us. Religion is a way of life, religion is what shapes culture. If you look at culture and all the tradition in an ethnic group where does all the culture come from if not from religion?
Go ahead and be proud about being Indonesian, thai, cambodian.. but if we all unite together as Muslims and obey Allah who is there to tell us that we are wrong and that we are the minorities. We are not though because we are proud and we are nationalist and that’s why we are weak. We pretend to be Muslims and walk around saying we are one, if that even. Why should Allah protect us and save us from hardship when we have turn our backs on him? But Allah is merciful because he knows how humans are.
I was born and raised in America. I started wearing head scarf at the age of 10. My parents didnt even tell me to do it. I did it because I knew it was the right thing. If you want to talk about growing up around peer-pressure try living in America. It’s not even a Muslim country but at least they pretend to let you have the freedom of RELIGIOUS RIGHTS! Muslim countries tries so hard to be followers!!
The comment about the phonesex.. ummm, that’s just so totally out of islamic character. It’s not only about appearance but mannerism, your voice, your actions are all part of your awrah. We don’t abuse what Allah has given us.
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Dear Rukaiyah, I completely agree with you. I punched my fist into the wall because my fellow country sisters won’t be good Muslimah. Luckily Allah punished them with tsunami and earthquake and volcanic eruptions. Thousands kaffirs perished becasue they don’t deserve to live. Hahahaha, I am glad I found a good Muslimah like you, all covered since 10 years old. Give me your address because I just ordered some head coverings to give you. They are similar to the links below. I am also looking for a temporary wife in your country. Will do a temporary marriage mutah because I will be there to tilth some land.
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Molisan Tono says:
I was a BAKORPAS member. none of my record way back then told me that nasionalism has anything to do with jilbab or peci what so ever.
Why this topic bother us?
Btw, peci isn’t moslem dude, it’s Indonesia nationalism, correct me if I’m wrong.
Have you see Arabian wearing peci to show they are moslem?
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Syahira says:
I think that some paskibraka’s should wear a scarf and long skirts/trousers, to me they look much nicer and there will be no protesting from any religion. All the non-muslims should do what they like to do but just let the muslims were what they think is appropriate!
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Mach Jabber says:
I never really liked upacara bendera and whatnots anyway.
If only there’s a religion that enforces its adherents to don Jason Voorhees masks, I wonder what would happen.
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Deng Xiao Phing says:
It’s none of our business whether people wear jilbab or bikini.
*sigh*
Dunno when my country can be a modern country.I kind of agree with u, it is time to leave your country … the rules is simple, if u think your values do not allign with Indon by and large then just don’t stay there anylonger, likewise muslims should not stay in any western countries … they are all should go back to Arab to avoid clash of civilization
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Isqondar muhammad says:
Allah bless u all of my brother and sister. I just would to greet you,and tell, that you have a brother (19) in the very far land who supporting and loving u for allah. I know that we haven’t meet before,but its not be a problem,because our ukhuwah aqida throughs the line and time. Pray to allah please,for my kindness,and hoppely we can meet in the heaven with the allah’s redha.
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That’s good news. I’m fully on the side of the city’s organising committee. This is the battle for Indonesian history/culture/traditions against the onslaught of the Arabic/Islamic desert nomad culture and traditions.
Indonesians, and everyone, should try to understand that people can still follow a religion WITHOUT throwing their own rich history and traditions in the trash can.
It’s really this evil Wahabbist/Salafist cultural imperialism and it’s a terrible tragedy that those girls and their families are too blind to see that they are kicking their OWN cultural traditions in the face.