Kompong Tralach (Cambodia), 17/05/2007. Attentive schoolgirls attending a lesson at the Koranic school near the Kampong Chhnang mosque.
© John Vink / Magnum Wearing the niqab and aligning oneself with the views associated with it seem far from satisfying the whole of the Muslim community of Cambodia. Those who disparage this apparel established as a duty warn about the degradation of Muslim women's condition, which is, according to them, reduced to a rank lower than that of men. Cambodia's Muslims, known for their moderate views, consider their counterparts, who advocate a rigorous interpretation of Islam, as “extremists” and wonder about the benefits of such a practice. To them, it only conveys a loss of freedom in women's rights. (Part Two)
A practice that is not imposed by the scriptures
Oknha Sos Kamry, president of the Highest Council for Islamic Religious Affairs in Cambodia, sees a coherence between the veil trend, which has now taken over almost the whole community of Muslim women in Cambodia, and the beginning of diplomatic and commercial exchanges between Cambodia and Muslim countries. At the same time, a few Arab nations have been funding Cambodia's Muslim associations for several years. They offer scholarships to students attending Koranic schools and sponsor pilgrimages to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam.
The President of the Council yet refuses to believe that this practice will extend to the whole of Cambodia's Muslim community, since the Koran does not precise the respect of such a practice. “Islam stipulates that women must not show their hair or body, with the exception of hands and feet. But the obligation for women to wear a niqab has not been specified by Allah. Religion is one thing when religious practice is another. The respect of the latter is up to every individual”, he reckoned while refusing, in the name of the freedom of religion, to judge, those who stand up for these traditions.
Cambodian authorities are not seduced by this practice
This practice, often respected in religion classes organised by Muslim associations in Cambodia, is not forbidden by the government. However, the Ministry of Cult and Religion takes a dim view of what is considered to be an incarceration of women, and “a regressive step”.
Sith Ibrahim, secretary of state in the Ministry of Cults and Religions, confesses his dismay: “We should rather encourage girls to free themselves from strict tradition and thus promote education. If we cage a woman in a niqab, this means we lose her and she will not be able to continue her studies! And yet the world nowadays needs women in the social, economic and political fields of society, in which they must fully exist, just as their male counterparts.”
Unequivocally, Sith Ibrahim continues: “This practice does not help improving women's condition, but quite the contrary! Wearing the niqab reduces their personal sphere to next to nothing and makes them lose their beauty and social network! It is highly deplorable”, the secretary of state said, claiming that the schools promoting this practice have but one intention: “pleasing their donors”.
The freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution of Cambodia, but Sith Ibrahim announces that his Ministry intends to take measures to regulate this practice and, more generally speaking, control the activities of Muslim associations in Cambodia.
An embarrassing outfit
These dark shadows make more than one Cambodian feel ill-at-ease, whether he be a “cham”or not. The Muslim women who would not balk at a drastic change in what is inside their wardrobe emphasize the fact that their niqab is not very appropriate for professional activities and are more suitable for teenagers.
A butcher from the village of Prek Tapouv, situated about 6.5 miles away from the capital city of Phnom Penh, tells us how she gave up wearing the niqab: “From the day I started dressing up like this, nobody dared coming to my stall! I had to go back to wearing my old clothes to avoid losing all my customers. People don't trust those who hide their face... Now, it is only the women who married rich men, and therefore do not have to bring money in the household, can wear the niqab and stay at home”, said the stall keeper, whose everyday practical necessity now prevails for good over the fear of a bad karma.
Poor countries are being targeted
A devout Muslim, revolted against the introduction of this practice in Cambodia, flays the proselytism of the extremist movements. According to him, the latter “failed to impose their ideas in developed countries and are now turning to poor countries whose populations are easier to convince”.
“Here is how they do it: their representatives convert the head of the household to their principles by explaining to them the legitimacy of the niqab. Then, these men order their wife and daughters to accept it by wearing it. In Cambodia, where freedom of religion is total, this practice takes root rapidly within Muslim communities, especially in the countryside. As the majority of religious leaders died during the Khmer Rouge regime, those people with little or no education often find themselves alone, without moral guidance, and are easily impressed by speeches advocating that Islam needs them to follow these practices. These followers only yearn for a happy afterlife as they believe that the life they currently lead is only very short. They are ready to believe that respecting this dress code will provide them eternal life for sure...”
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