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In Denmark, headscarf-wearing TV host raises protests

Seeded on Sat Apr 8, 2006 9:07 PM EDT
Read ArticleArticle Source: metimes.com
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Seeded by evano
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She is hosting a program n public television exploring the aftermath of the Mohammed cartoon affair.

"Violent protests over Prophet Mohammed cartoons have died down in the Muslim world but in Denmark, where the drawings were first printed, debate over the role of Islam has flared again, this time over a TV talk show host who wears a Muslim headscarf.

Asmaa Abdel Hamid, a 24-year-old Dane of Palestinian origin, is the co-host of an eight-part series on the public DR2 network on the fallout of the cartoons affair that led to violent reactions throughout the Muslim world.

Abdel Hamid's appearance on television - the first time that a female TV host has worn a headscarf in Denmark - has led to a flurry of negative reactions from viewers and feminist groups; evidence, say experts, that a wide gap still divides Danes and Muslims."

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mogmich

I have only seen 1 of her programs, and I certainly don't agree with all she is saying. But the concept of the program is dialog - and as such it is OK, I think. Freedom of speech is also for those you don't agree with, of course.

She is wearing her Muslim headscarf for 3 reasons I think:

1) As a symbol of her faith in Islam.
2) To demonstrate her right to wear it - on her own free choice.
3) To demand respect for ethnic and religious minorities here in Denmark.

Of course it is OK, if she is really wearing the headscarf by her own choice (2) but this is not always the case, I think. Sometimes Muslim women are forced by other Muslims to wear it, which makes it a problem. This element in Islam, together with other elements, contrasts Western individuality and ideals about personal freedom.

By the way: here in Denmark her name is normally written "Asmaa Abdol-Hamid" (might be relevant if you google on it).

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 7:04 AM EDT
evano

I think it must be an oversight, but DR2 isn't one of the 500 channels I get on my television. :) Still, just from reading the article and seeing that she is a very independent woman, I have no doubt that the headscarf is a personal choice in her case. There definitely are cases where peer pressure or spouse pressure or community pressure forces the woman to wear the scarf, but I don't see that as something I should interfere with. It doesn't get as much notice, but in Orthodox Jewish communities, women must cover their heads for modesty, too. It used to be done mainly with a scarf, but nowadays, most of these women crop their hair short and wear wigs outside of the home. We don't generally hear controversy about that.

  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 8:29 AM EDT
mogmich

There sure is a big difference between USA and a small country like Denmark (5 million). Compared with other countries we have always been very homogeneous, with only few ethnic minorities.

Although there are some degree of xenophobia in Denmark, we also have a tradition of solving problems peacefully - there hasn't been much violence in the streets in connection with the M-drawings.

500 channels you say? And all in a foreign language. To what use is that?

  • 1 vote
#2.1 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 11:42 AM EDT
evano

Believe me: there's no use in having 500 channels. :) I turn on the TV once a week to watch The Sopranos. The rest of the time, it just attracts dust. And English may be a "foreign language" to you, but I wouldn't have guessed based on your writing. It's strange that a homogeneous country like yours produces many people who can speak and read multiple languages, but in a heterogeneous country like the US, most of us are mono-lingual. Those cartoons are something that could easily rip a country into highly polarized factions, so I'm glad to hear that Danes are mature enough as a society to keep heated emotions from taking over from good sense -- unlike what's happened in France, several times already this year. And, one final compliment: if the Danes I've encountered here on Newsvine are in any way representative of your people, then you've got an amazing country!

  • 2 votes
#2.2 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 12:54 PM EDT
Reply
upright ape

This element in Islam, together with other elements, contrasts Western individuality and ideals about personal freedom

The West values individuality and ideals about personal freedom, so we criticize a woman for wearing a headscarf? Doesn't make much sense to me.

To me this doesn't have anything to do with personal freedom and individuality, it has to do with assimilating to Danish culture, with looking Western.

Denmark's minister for social affairs and gender equality, Eva Kjaer Hansen, has even jumped into the fray: "I want to remind DR that its employees should not serve as missionaries," she said recently.

To me, that's a very problematic quote.

  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 1:29 PM EDT
evano

Upright, I think it is because of the conception that if a Muslim woman is wearing a headscarf, then it must be because someone is forcing her to wear it. In that case, it is not a sign of individuality, and like any other form of compulsory dress, it is a limitation on personal freedom. But, I am sure there are many Muslim women who have a deep faith and belief in the Qur'an, and see wearing the headscarf as a sign of their devotion. That idea seems to be inconceivable to many of the people protesting her appearance. The feminists opposing it are not taking into account any view but, "I wouldn't wear a headscarf, so if she is wearing one, someone must be forcing her." Infantile and distorted logic.

As to the second quote, what is your take on the message that you find it so problematic? I'm just curious, not challenging you.

  • 1 vote
#3.1 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 1:39 PM EDT
upright ape

It just seems like a stupid thing for a government minister to say.

It seems like this journalist is trying to bridge a gap between Danish society and Islam. I would think a minister of social affairs would commend that, but instead she takes issue with missionary behavior.

  • 1 vote
#3.2 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 8:51 PM EDT
mogmich

It is quite essential here, that DR is a public service channel, which means it is not a free and independent media. To complicate it further, it is not simply a government controlled institution either!

As you might know, in connection with the "Muhammad Drawings" story, our Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen tried to make people believe, that a STATEMENT about the drawings would be against our constitution, because Jyllands-Posten is an independent (private) paper. This is not correct - but any kind of repressive acts against the paper would be unconstitutional (freedom of speech).

In other words: if our minister for social affairs said the same thing about a PRIVATE TV-station (we do have some) she would get in trouble.

Personally I don't agree with her, because I think that one of the best reasons to have a public service channel, is the possibility of airing things that the private mainstream-media exclude. The program with Asmaa Abdol-Hamid is a good example of this, I think.

  • 1 vote
#3.3 - Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:54 AM EDT
Reply
johnfr

What's becoming of this world. Everyone and I mean everyone would be much better off if people just learn:
Live and let live.

That's the way I was brought up and I've never been accused of favouring one over the other.

That's just my two cents.

  • 1 vote
Reply#4 - Sun Apr 9, 2006 2:19 PM EDT
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