The different societies and religions around the world are constantly in a war to prove they are right, whether it's what is the best sport in the world, or how to run a country. Burkas provoke many arguments about equality in the Middle East. In the book Merriam is forced by her husband, Rasheed, to wear a burka whenever she goes out of the house. The burka is worn by women in the Islamic religion. It is a hood, to cover the woman's hair and a veil over her face. There is a space for the eyes, so she can see. Burkas a have been a "sensitive" subject lately, and there are many opinions in the book and in the real world, about burkas
When Rasheed makes Merriam wear a burka, Merriam doesn't feel oppressed or ashamed. In fact, she feels the burka hides any embarrassing features she may have. At any time he could find the protection of her burka, like a turtle and his shell. When she was in Herat, her mother taught her if she went to the city, she would be bullied and harassed for her appearance and social status, and they would be able to tell she was a harami, a bastard. When she put the burka on, she felt safe and protected that no one could point anything bad about her out for the world to hear. "She was no longer worried that, with a single glance, all the shameful secrets of her past"(Pg. 66).
Throughout the world, burkas are seen as a symbol of the oppression of women. In the recent past, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan have had laws requiring every woman to wear a burka when in public. This is seen as oppression because some of the women don't want to wear it, but since they don't have many right in those countries, there is nothing they can do to change it. Elsewhere, in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries have put a full ban on burkas altogether. This may be seen as discrimination because a woman who wants to wear a burka because of their religion isn't allowed to. But one of the biggest reasons that burkas are seen as a negative symbol is because there have been attacks on women in the Middle East by one, or groups of civilian men because the woman wasn't wearing a burka. These attacks make the Middle East look like crazy extremists, just because of the couple that brought violence to their community, which is disappointing as this is only a few in each country.
Although burkas are seen as negative symbols in society, some women say it is actually a good thing. Like Merriam, these women say it gives them a sense of security and anonymity. It is also an important part of there religion, similar to Jewish men and boys wearing a yamalka, or kippah. Fortunately, men in Afghanistan and other countries have started to make a stand to raise the equality between men and women. In Kabul, there was a march when men walked through the streets wearing burkas to help make a change. This is a great thing to see, that these countries are moving towards change.
When Rasheed makes Merriam wear a burka, Merriam doesn't feel oppressed or ashamed. In fact, she feels the burka hides any embarrassing features she may have. At any time he could find the protection of her burka, like a turtle and his shell. When she was in Herat, her mother taught her if she went to the city, she would be bullied and harassed for her appearance and social status, and they would be able to tell she was a harami, a bastard. When she put the burka on, she felt safe and protected that no one could point anything bad about her out for the world to hear. "She was no longer worried that, with a single glance, all the shameful secrets of her past"(Pg. 66).
Throughout the world, burkas are seen as a symbol of the oppression of women. In the recent past, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan have had laws requiring every woman to wear a burka when in public. This is seen as oppression because some of the women don't want to wear it, but since they don't have many right in those countries, there is nothing they can do to change it. Elsewhere, in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries have put a full ban on burkas altogether. This may be seen as discrimination because a woman who wants to wear a burka because of their religion isn't allowed to. But one of the biggest reasons that burkas are seen as a negative symbol is because there have been attacks on women in the Middle East by one, or groups of civilian men because the woman wasn't wearing a burka. These attacks make the Middle East look like crazy extremists, just because of the couple that brought violence to their community, which is disappointing as this is only a few in each country.
Although burkas are seen as negative symbols in society, some women say it is actually a good thing. Like Merriam, these women say it gives them a sense of security and anonymity. It is also an important part of there religion, similar to Jewish men and boys wearing a yamalka, or kippah. Fortunately, men in Afghanistan and other countries have started to make a stand to raise the equality between men and women. In Kabul, there was a march when men walked through the streets wearing burkas to help make a change. This is a great thing to see, that these countries are moving towards change.