When Rafidah S Sharing Of Her Family Wisdom Gets Eclipsed With Call To Cover Up Her Head

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AT the very outset, one wonders how would donning a tudung (Muslim headscarf) make “iron lady” Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz a better administrator, wife and mother.
In a recent video interview with Malay language women’s weekly Mingguan Wanita, former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz gave viewers an insight into how she might be holding a high position outside but at home “her stature is reduced to a wife and mother”.
This included her views on social media and the sanctity of the family unit.

However, despite the former veteran politician’s status and willingness to share her wealth of experience, one netizen sought to pick on the fact that she was not properly covered or bluntly put it, “where’s your tudung?”

Interestingly, the comment has generated over 580 likes and attracted a few like-minded individuals to post their two cents.

However, it also attracted plenty of backlash in the replies. One sarcastically asked the commenter “to offer her tudung” to the former Wanita UMNO chief while another remarked that it was rather pointless to give advice on social media.
“Better to tell her yourself face-to-face,” suggested a somehow dismissive comment.

One netizen claimed that the need to cover up did not extend to older folk. Was the “iron lady’s” hairstyle extremely sexy or provocative, he queried?

Another netizen took the opportunity to remind everyone that this was a matter of personal choice. Others should refrain from being holier-than-thou.

On this note, the said netizen expressed surprise that there were so many religious “experts” in the forum. Perhaps it was best they just minded their own business.

One quite rightly observed that this was form over substance. It is pointless to don a headscarf when one’s deeds and thoughts are not pure and right.

Another commenter counselled that even if the intention to advice is good, there is a time and place for it. He stated that failure to properly conceal oneself was between her and the Almighty. However, speaking ill of others in public forums was a great sin in his opinion.

One echoed this sentiment by pointing out that the manner in which the “advice” is proffered also needs to be done in a proper manner.

Another netizen pointed out there was another video where Rafidah addresses this issue, stating that her spouse never asked her to cover up. He concluded that ‘each to their own’ whilst praising the former minister’s views on the family unit.

From the many comments, it can be observed that the wearing of tudiung is a contentious issue. However, shouldn’t this be a matter of personal choice given that Malaysia professes itself as a moderate Muslim nation?
There should be no compulsion in the matter lest this nation ends up like Iran where a young woman was beaten to death by the “moral police” for not properly donning a head scarf which led to months of street protests.
As one netizen quite succinctly summed it up, “it’s none of one’s business to tell someone else to put on the tudung”. 

- focus malaysia

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