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Our readers matter most to us. We have opened a page for robust debate among you. This page does not have a political stand and should be read in that spirit. We do not seek either to offend or to appease. We strive to present all points of view but expressed in a civil manner. Speak up and be heard.
- People should adapt their dress sense to a country's sensitivities.
- Tradition is sometimes used as an excuse to stop modernisation.
- Women should be given the choice to whether wear or not to wear the abaya.
- Dress is a reflection of the morality of an individual.
Submission guidelines:
The debate and poll will close on Tuesday, at midnight. Send us your arguments at readers@gulfnews.com. Please do send in your photographs if possible. The word limit is 150. We welcome all points of view, as long as they are within the bounds of civil discourse. We will edit for length and clarity, to accommodate as many voices as possible.
Your comments
OK, I know this is not going to be popular but here goes. The abaya does not say to me that a woman is respectable. To me it says she is subjugated, old fashioned, and has been persuaded that there is something to be ashamed about for being a woman. I find it amazing that in the 21st century men are debating over what women should wear. Men should control their own impulses and allow women freedom to dress how they want to. Society will not disintegrate just because she decides to wear a spaghetti strap tee shirt to the mall.
Roseanne
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 15:18
Everyone should be given the right to choose what they want to wear but in a decent and respectful way, especially in public places. I find it most distressing to see very young girls dressed up in headscarves as if the sight of their face is going to sexually provoke someone.
Zaina
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 15:03
Wearing an abaya is a choice. Those women who do not like to wear this abaya should respect those ladies who choose to.
Sheryl
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 14:56
The last thing I would want to wear in this climate is anything black that covers the whole body. Of course, local men can wear this bright white, super comfortable, belly-friendly dishdasha. Is that fair?
Annafrid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 14:36
I am a new Muslim and recently used to only wear the hijab, but after living with a family in Syria I have opted to wear the abaya. I can not express how safe and respected I feel. I wish every young girl would save herself from the ferocious looks of men by wearing an abaya.
Kawther
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 14:36
I admire women wearing the abaya. They look elegant and respectable. Women who wear abaya should be proud because it is their traditional dress.
Karen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2007, 14:19
I do not understand why this modern world would want to snatch the abaya away from women. I think the abaya is the best cover for women's bodies.
Abid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 28, 2007, 00:36
Women should have the right to wear an abaya if she wants to. Some countries are not as flexible in granting this right.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 28, 2007, 00:31
I visit Dubai every year and I think that women look more respectable when they wear their abaya.
Syed
Hyderabad,India
Posted: July 27, 2007, 12:56
While I believe that women should be given a choice, I feel that an abaya is the most elegant way of covering up.
Sibel
Copenhagen,Denmark
Posted: July 27, 2007, 12:12
It is very true that tradition is sometimes used as an excuse to stop modernisation. I have also noticed that there are less men wearing their traditional dresses but women are asked to continue wearing their traditional dresses.
Rajalekshmi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 12:01
I don't know if an abaya is a comfortable dress for women to wear, but I feel it is a gentle way of dressing.
Baiju
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 11:58
Wearing an abaya ensures a women respect and comfort, and also security, especially when she is outside her home.
Shahid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 11:50
People should have a proper sense of when to wear or not to wear traditional dresses. For example, you might be attending a corporate meeting or function where people of different nationalities are involved. It might be more appropriate to wear a corporate attire than traditional clothes.
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 11:49
No need to wear traditional dresses. Everything now is modernised so we have to go with the flow.
Fatima
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 10:48
I travel to Dubai more than twice a year and I have to say I feel more comfortable wearing my abaya than ordinary clothes.
Ana
Lisbon,Portugal
Posted: July 27, 2007, 10:13
Everybody should have his or her own choice regarding what to wear, but I feel that women wearing abayas are respectable.
Jaffer
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 10:08
When I first arrived here, I was amazed to see women without an abaya, and some wearing it in a fashionable way (the dress not fully covering the body).
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 27, 2007, 10:03
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