My answer to Muslim men commenting on Mohammed Shami's wife's dress
Social media is the new regulator of people’s moralities - and I for one find it obnoxious.
True we share personal information and lay our lives bare for others to see. But does that give everyone the right to make nasty comments?
That's the question, which has been worrying me since the recent controversy over Mohammed Shami's facebook post.
The comments are really really Shameful.Support Mohammed Shami fully.There are much bigger issues in this country. Hope sense prevails. pic.twitter.com/dRJO5WfOgU
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 25, 2016
The young Indian fast bowler in all innocence proudly put up a beautiful picture of his charming wife and daughter. I am sure he never expected the barrage of criticism that suddenly erupted. I must say my respect for him grew in leaps and bounds for standing up to trolls and not getting intimidated into taking his post down.
Of course the fact that most of those slamming him on Twitter had Muslim names, which added another dimension to it.
So now we had two sides of the right wing trolls slamming each other. One objected to the fact that Mohammed Shami's wife had worn a sleeveless gown while the other slammed the former for being narrow-minded followers of a certain religion.
There were comments from some Muslim followers criticising him for not controlling his wife, letting her wear sleeveless, for influencing other women to wear the same and for generally being un-Islamic.
It soon became a free for all.
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| We need more men like Mohammed Shami who support choice, be it by their wives or any other lady. Photo: Twitter |
But what gave me heart was the general support Mohammed Shami and his wife Mrs Hasin Jahan got across the board. Everyone joined in to support his wife's choice of dress, irrespective of religious or political affiliations.
Dear Mrs Shami, We have never met but I must say that you look splendid in your gown. Regards to your proud husband. With love, Farhan.
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) December 26, 2016
You're our best fast bowler since Javagal @MdShami11 Millions of fans wish you & your family the best. Take @iamrana advice & ignore idiots https://t.co/cSHu1LfS7v
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 25, 2016
The proud husband soon slammed his critics: "Very good morning. Har kisi ko jindagi mai mukam ni milta, kuch kismat wale hi hote hai jinhe ye nasib hota hai.! jalteee rahooooo… Ye dono meri zindage or life partner hai me acha trha janta hu kiya karna hai kiya nahi. hame apne andar dekhna chahiye ham kitne acche hai."
(Good Morning. Not every one can achieve such a position in life. Only a few fortunate ones are destined to achieve this. Keep feeling jealous! These two are my life and life partner and I know full well what to do or not do. We should soul search and introspect on our own morals.)
Very good morning ????Har kisi ko jindagi mai mukam ni milta, kuch kismat wale hi hote hai jinhe ye nasib hota hai.!.jalteee rahooooo...
— Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) December 26, 2016
Ye dono meri zindage or life partner hai me acha trha janta hu kiya karna hai kiya nahi.hame apne andar dekhna chahiye ham kitna accha hai.????
— Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) December 26, 2016
We need more men like Mohammed Shami who support choice, be it by their wives or other women.
Though it was given a religious hue because of the Islamic injunction on dress, in my opinion, it is our patriarchal mindset, which sees us, women, as a man's property. Let's not make everything an issue about religion
Patriarchy is rampant in the subcontinent and I don't think it has everything to do with religion. There were conservative Hindus advising women to cover themselves up on Twitter as well.
100 years earlier - Men can do any vulgarity. None will Qn them becoz "Men shdnt be Questiond. NOW - Women hav tat privilege, UnQuestionable
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) December 26, 2016
A thing of beauty is a joy forever -- Keats ; Celebrate beauty but our Girls shdnt allow themselves to be reduced to THINGS & Vulgar objects
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) December 26, 2016
We are not and will never be a man's property. We are thinking, evolving and intelligent people in our own rights and stand shoulder to shoulder with men in every facet of life.
Today women look for partners in marriage and many prefer not to marry if they don't find one. A husband is not the Lord and Master any more but a friend and companion one wants to spend the rest of one's life with.
The sooner men of every religion realise this, the better.
I have worn almost every type of dress from childhood till age 60. I wore dresses, sleeveless, pants etc...
I wore the hijab out of my own choice for a few years when I was in search of my religious identity. Then gave it up. I now just wear whatever I am comfortable in and what suits the occasion. I don't dress to please people. I dress to express myself.
I dress to be me.
For the Muslim men who were commenting on Mohammed Shami's wife, I quote form the Quran: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." Quran 24:30