Cultural Differences

I wanted to share this post that was on the Oman Forum, which I occasionally frequent...


Asalam Alaykum........................

I am a 23 year old Muslim woman-and I do not yet wear the Hijab...... however I still think it is important to maintain modest, and like to refrain from having physical contact (huggig) of the oppsite sex.

I have a Muslim Male friend (who is very respectful and like a brother to me), that seems to believe "only women that wear the Hijab are to be untouched." Basically, because I do not yet wear the Hijab, he thinks it is appropriate for me to hug him on certain occasions.

I would like everyones input on this - arn't ALL Muslim women (hijab or not) suppose to refrain from this type of contact with men....???
Thank you!


It got me to thinking about how I react to men hugging women (or me in particular) in Australia, which really is it's nothing out of the ordinary. We hug to greet each other, we hug to say goodbye, we hug in excitement, congrats, etc., etc., etc. And that is just one part of the physical contact between members of the opposite sex (I specify that this is between men and women because it is quite fine and MP & I regularly see, men holding hands or hugging - now, what reaction did you have to that!).

Since being here, I have really had to curb my natural instinct for physical contact in public. And no, I do not go around hugging randoms either here or in Oz! But just putting your hand on your partners shoulder or arm or holding your partner's hand... It is all quite natural. Next time you are out with you MP, just observe how you behave - it may be enlightening!

Anyway, here are some of the responses to the original post...

Life is too short. As long as the hug is brief, open and friendly, done in public, there should be no need to worry.
---
Well being 23 year old you have to wear the hijab...It doesn't matter if other people don't you have to do the right thing. By wearing the hijab then you will be obeying the commands of the Creator of everything that exists...also by wearing the hijab it shows you are proud to be a muslim, and you are proud to be on the right path.
---
You dont have to wear anything you don't want to! It's not a requirement!
---
you post reinforces one of my beliefs. The Muslim woman wears the hijab not because the women are weak but because some of the Muslim men are weak.

(Note: I haven't changed any of the posts... The spelling and grammar errors where there already...)