Idea for silent protesting .. see what you think ...

[tlcandie]

Being sick and tired of all that is going on to kill/maim/torture/ silence those of arab disent and after reading, yet another, article on someone assaulting a Muslim here within our own borders, I've come up with this idea and hopefully those who are more creative than myself can expand on this and it become a movement of some kind.

What do you think about each of us wearing some form of ME attire daily?

Burquas, hijab(sp?), turban, etc....you help to decide! List your ideas and then MAYBE we could come up with a color or something that is symbolic of the dissent/protest and we all wear our varied ME attire in the SAME color!

If you were not able to wear it at work, you could take it off before you get into the office. But you could wear it while traveling to and from work, shopping, etc.

Maybe even have something printed up that you hand out if someone asks you why you are wearing the attire. You wouldn't say anything, just in silence hand them your nicely written protest.

What do you think? I know .. I'm nutz.. but damned we gotta do something that gets LOTS of attention and that is easy to do day in and day out AND so we can REALLY see how many of us out there are on our side!!!

Will make it harder for the haters to attack those of ME dissent when so many are wearing the attire.

[Valerie5555]

1. Think that is hejab

and there are also "chadors" or "chadoors" as well as "abbayas'

[tlcandie]

5. Thanks for the correction!! Was too excited with the idea to take time

to check the spelling!! :)

[Valerie5555]

6. You're welcome

:)

Glad to be of assistance :)

[PsychoDad]

2. Hijab

I had heard of some non-muslim women wearing hijab in a show of solidarity with their muslim sisters after 9/11.

Perhaps something as simple as a green (or white for peace)scarf that can be worn as a hijab by women or as a neck tie by men?

A simple peice of cloth is all it should be I think nothing too hard to obtain, or too fancy.

[tlcandie]

3. Even better .. refine it .. then define it! Thanks for your input!!!

:hi:

[PsychoDad]

13. No problem

I like the Idea.
We are all members of the human family. We need to stand up for each other whenever and however we can.

Compassion and sympathy are what make us human

[FlaGranny]

38. Compassion and sympathy

are what make us LIBERALS. Not all humans are compassionate and sympathetic. ;-)

[Valerie5555]

4. Maybe something like a "chador" would be

too cumbersome and complicated for some and maybe a "hejab" could be a good idea.

[tlcandie]

7. So, what would we call this solidarity movement to get more people

to join us?

[PsychoDad]

15. An Idea.

A Hijab would be a nice statement. The hijab can be as simple as a peice of cloth held closed by a pin under the chin.
For men, perhaps a kufi would be good. http://www.alhannah.com/ has the mens kufi under mens clothing for $4.50 each

But perhaps even that is too much? Maybe a simple ribbon?

Pink is ok for compassion, but the breast cancer awareness is using that. Perhaps two colors intertwined such as green and white symbolizing Islam, growth, and peace. ?

We could call it "My Brothers, My Sisters" ??

Just some Ideas. The ribbon and the optional dress would be good.

[tlcandie]

17. I like your idea!

A ribbon and yes I think that green/white intertwined would be fantastic!!

Families in Peace ?
Brother, Sister Peace

Hmm what is the Islam word for peace .. going to translator one sec ..

EDIT: Maybe not ribbon .. what is a symbol for peace in the ME ?

[PsychoDad]

19. Salaam

Salaam or salam is peace. Islam comes from the root "Salaam", peace.

[tlcandie]

22. GREAT! Okay, so how do we entwine the word Salaam

with the green/white colors, a ribbon, and crescent moon & stars (symbol of Islam).

[PsychoDad]

24. crescent moon & stars

Are often used as an Islamic symbol, but are not really such They come from Christian Byzanthium if I remember correctally.(useless trivia here) and were adopted by the turks.

I like the green and white ribbon idea with the optional me / muslim clothing. And... we could call ourselves the Salaam Prople - promoting peace in the human family (?) Jus an idea

A good time to kick this off would be Oct 27, The Islamic Holy Month of Rammadan.

[tlcandie]

25. You are just so great!!!

Alright then..I LOVE it! Green/white ribbon w/optional ME clothing and called People of Salaam...promoting peace in the human family! Kickoff for October 27th!

PERFECT!!

You are the best :D So, now where do we go with this since we have few takers it seems :(

[PsychoDad]

29. We may have more.

Many read, less post :silly:

I'm not so great, *blush* It was your idea :D

Maybe a website would be a good idea. Something basic.
I think it should feature statements from muslims and non muslims denouncing terrorism, intollerance and hate in all it's forms and advocating peace and human familyhood.

Post the idea early and often. Here and elsewhere :silly:

Contact local Islamic centers with the Idea and Website. Ask for input and contributions for the site. Contact CAIR and other Islamic orginizations. Maybe create a form letter that can be sent to everyone at once. A press release if you will. Send to the media also. I will submit one to my aera Islamic mailing list.

ask for lots of help

Write letters to the editors of local papers Informing of violence to muslims and containing our url for further ref.

Maybe arainge for aera meet-ups. As this is ramadan arainge them as iftars, dinners after sunset for the breaking of fasts, better yet. see about meeting at Islamic centers for Iftars, mosy mosques have these each night of the week during Ramadan. Have a free dinner and meet folks and press human familyhood.

It can be as simple or as complex as we want :silly:

Just a few Ideas for a stsrt. Even if it is 3 people who do this, It will be a success.


Anyone interested in contacting me my email is : [email protected]

[tlcandie]

30. WOW! Okay, I'm blown away and I don't know what else to say!

I am going to bed now! I was laying down and started thinking that maybe the ribbon should be WHITE only so that we can take on peace for whatever people we find we need to help/support depending upon the situation and times... ?

And that in greeting/parting/sig lines/letter writing we can always utter the word for peace in whatever language of the people we are supporting or standing in solidarity with at the time? In supporting the people of the ME now that would be Salaam.

What do you think?

I've got to digest all that you've suggested and YES! We CAN do this and you are right, of course, on numbers participating or not!

I hope I can sleep now :D I'm just so excited about this! THANKS again!

EDIT: BOLD = edit

[magnolia]

48. I love the ribbon idea!

A ribbon would draw questions and you could answer in a very loving, friendly way. Wearing foreign attire may just look weird...and turn people off so they wouldn't ask what it meant. Besides...their are many nationalities and different attire. Instead of just representing one, I'd rather have an all-encompassing symbol.

Why not make up the ribbons and send them to celebrities to wear.

[PsychoDad]

52. All we ned to do now

Is organize. I still like the green and white, for Peace and growth... But all white is cool too :D Buttons and ribbons sound great.

Send to celebs and our dem canidates, and everyone else :D

is the all white ribbon being used by anyone already?

[Clete]

8. This is similar to what happened in WWII

in, I believe Norway. I am going my memory now. It's getting late and I don't have time to verify, but anyway when the Nazi's invaded this country and of course they demanded that the Jews wear the Star of David, all of the citizens of that country, including the royal family, did the same.

I don't know of many ME people living where I do now, but the neigborhood where I lived in LA before I left was gradually becoming Iranian and I think it would be a good thing to do if I still lived there.

[Valerie5555]

10. Was sure it was DENMARK

started by King Christian

[Clete]

27. Thanks Valerie5555

for the memory knudge. Indeed it was.

[Valerie5555]

28. Had seen something about a kid's book about it

on Amazon.com

[tlcandie]

11. Thanks Clete! So, you think it that it wouldn't be a good idea for

those of us who don't live in a highly ME populated area then? My vision was seeing a sea of people wearing this and us each smiling/ hugging/waving at each other when we happened upon the other!

Would be comforting and inspiring IMO to see and feel this solidarity.

[Clete]

20. Maybe in some places.

Where I live it wouldn't make any difference. There isn't any diversity like in the cities. Everyone wears jeans and boots and wide brimmed hats to shield you from the sun. Brown or white, we actually all dress the same.

[tlcandie]

26. Not a lot of diversity here in west coast Florida either, BUT

I have a GREAT need to stand out, standup and be counted for peace! EVERYDAY in EVERYWAY!

[kimchi]

9. I love it!

I really like the idea of a scarf-or we could just wear pink all the time...

[tlcandie]

12. Guys probably wouldn't want to wear pink all the time?

<huge grin here!> Thanks kimchi! Let's hear what everyone wants to do and come to a consensus and get with the movement? I am going to see if can find info on the Swedish movement in support of the jews during the Nazi reign of terror.

Thanks everyone!! I'm pumped :D Also, linked this in the activism/ event forum... that link follows...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=3111

[incapsulated]

14. Since I already look "ME"

I don't know if this would be a protest or an invatation to abuse, lol. (I look very much like an Egyptian woman, I've discovered)

But I live in NYC. Nobody would notice, or care.


:smoke:

[tlcandie]

16. It might be an open invitation for all who follow this for abuse

via those who are warmonger/hater types, but I believe/feel/hope that all beings can/should help to carry this burden if they can find a way to do it.

Not all things are for all people! :hug:

Link to 100 Ideas for Promoting a More Peaceful World

http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/nodate/100ideas.html

Found this when reading about King Christian of the Danes!

[Valerie5555]

18. All right I admit this, in the days after September 11 and on the

anniversaries of same thus far, I had worn my blue (blue being the DEMOCRATIC color, by the way) sweater and jacket, as an accidental symbolic protest against the notion that Democrats were "un American" and "apologists for terrorists." I had found it rather fitting since at the time, (or after September 11th,) it seemed as if everyone had to line up behind supposed "President" Bush, just because he supposedly was the President.

[tlcandie]

21. Yay Valerie5555! I love it...

:D

[Valerie5555]

23. Had I known then, what I knew now concerning at times preferring a

sex rogue to a warmongering jerk any day, I possibly would have done something like pin a blue ribbon to my bag or something as if to say "all right, I support President Clinton too," during the "impeachment charade."


I also may have done that since I may have had some inkling that Bill Clinton may have been more serious about "nailing" Bin Laden, since he and George Bush are probably like this or <crossed fingers.>.

[IkeWarnedUs]

31. I'm kinda in

I would prefer not to wear any kind of outfit, but just because I dress pretty plainly and wouldn't be comfortable with all that.

But I love the idea of some sort of symbol of solidarity, especially in Ramadan. Ribbons, buttons, colors - I'll keep watching to see what the consensus is.

A suggestion though, I think it should be something simple and obvious. I don't know how difficult and expensive it would be to have buttons made up saying Salaam for example. I wear a white ribbon now (peace) and no one even asks me why.

Perhaps you could choose a design for people to use however they can - have buttons, stickers, signs, t-shirts, etc. made locally.

Just suggestions.

[PsychoDad]

32. A Salaam button?

Sounds like a great Idea. Maybe Green and white buttons to go with the ribbons? Maybe in english/arabic ? Or just one or the other?

[Sideways]

34. If anybody wants something written up in Arabic

email me and I will have one of my friends translate. They will send the translation to you from their Arabic keyboard.

Ramadan is determined by the moon and looks like it will be October 25th. Any other requests from the Arab Street please let me know. I live in Muscat Oman. The southern tip of the Saudi peninsula next door to UAE and Yemen.

Salaam.

MT

[LunaC]

33. Here's an easier - yet obvious - protest.....

A flag being flown upside down is a sign of distress. Some may consider it silly but I've been placing my postage stamps upside-down on my mailing envelopes as a means of expressing my concern and discontent with the political environment in the U.S. If enough folks made the same silly and innocuous gesture....well, we could send a subtle message and start a whole Movement with our mail! (No pun intended :shrug:)

[Clete]

37. I do the same, but I can't help but feeling that the only

people seeing this are post office workers and mail room workers at the destination addresses. I was thinking of putting an upside down flag graphic on emails I send to my elected government representatives and media like CNN.

[texdriver]

35. Tis idea could spread

We should get a group of activists together and travel to Arab countries, to mingle with the locals while wearing yarmulkas

[PsychoDad]

40. That's also a good Idea

Although Jews and Muslims have co-existed for centuries without any ill feelings. The recent "troubles" (to use an irish phrase)are an aberration from the norm.

Don't take my word for it, Listen to a Jewish viewpoint.

"From ancient times, the relations between the Jewish and Islamic peoples have always been those of peace and brotherhood, and friendship always reigned between them. The proof of this is the fact that for centuries, in all the Arab lands, hundreds of thousands of Jews lived in honor and amidst mutual esteem."

Please see:
http://www.jewsagainstzionism.com/

But why "activists"? Anyone can denounce hate. The more regular people we can get to simply state, "We will not hate", the better.
Hate is not a normal condition. We must understand this. Humanity is a family and families can only heal with Love.

[texdriver]

44. It may the very last idea you ever have

One can wear traditional Arab headgear or garb worldwide without any great fear, but it might be risky to wear Jewish head coverings in certain Arab lands.

However, if enough people gather together to appeal to the loving side of Islam, then their radicals will slink away in shame, overpowered by the sheer love for which they have do defense.

[PsychoDad]

53. Tex,

The radicals are not the majority of muslims, normal people who love their families and work to earn a living and send their kids to school are.
People just like us.

You may be suprised, but there are jews in all these arab lands, many whose families have lived there for centuries.

And yes, Islam does have a loving side, a human side. Maybe you would like to learn more?

[Kamika]

36. Dont wear a burqua or a headscarf

Sorry but they are symbols of womens oppression , id appreciate it if you wouldnt

[PsychoDad]

39. Excuse me...

The hijab is not a symbol of opression, It is a symbol of faith.

True, various governments and cultures are opressive of women, but the religion itself is not, nor are it's symbols. There is a distinctive differnce between the two, and it is up to our muslim brothers and sisters to address and change it in the spirit of Islam.

You may be interested to know that there are also clothing restrictions for men also.

Beside, the clothing idea is optional and not required to show support.

For a woman's perspective on Hijab see:
http://www.troid.org/articles/islaamicinfo/womeninislaam/canadian.htm

A non-muslim woman wears Hijab- "Hijabed like me"
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/news/hijab/hjb.nonmuslim.asp

[Kamika]

41. just give it a rest man

Face the facts, im sure you can dig up a bunch of brainwashed ppl saying how being forced to wear a burqua is great, but spare me please.

[PsychoDad]

42. I see.

You wish to see no opinion but your own. You would belittle another's right to wear what they want. Belittle another woman's decision to wear a peice of cloth because she belives that it is a symbol of her faith?

You do not need to listen to my opinion, place me on ignore. Turn away and remain content in the knowledge that your view is the only correct one, and none have the right to have another.

[Kamika]

43. ok lets try an example

Suppose i would want to wear a big swastika do you think i have a moral right to do that?

Or how about a big t-shirt that says "kill all muslims", because thats my right??


Face the facts that a burqua will forever be a reminder of the muslim oppression of women ESPECIALLY in afghanistan. (where they are still practicly forced to wear them)

I hope you are aware that in certain muslim countries if a woman goes out without a head scarf she will get arrested? Anyway ill love to see your justification of that.

Imo there are things that are forever doomed to symbolize opression or evil

a swastika
bush (?)
name hitler
the burqua
etc etc

[Sideways]

45. What The Fuck Are YOU Talking About?

Nobody here was advocating wearing a burka. NOBODY. Do you get that? That argument is total horse shit. Or in your case a total crap man (opposed to a straw man) defense. Now on to the scarf issue. The women in the ME are proud to wear head scarves it is NOT seen as a violation of their rights in fact it is a testimony to their faith.

THEY want to wear the scarves THEY are not doing so under under fear of reprisal. And exactly what is your expertise on ME law?

You are really out of line and spewing garbage here.

You don't have a clue and if you want to know how I know that well I live here in the ME Kam and you are so fucking off base it isn't even funny.

[Kamika]

47. Hi

read the original post, then kindly dak chuh ra ok ~~

[PsychoDad]

46. Ok, Lets see.

You asked "Suppose i would want to wear a big swastika do you think i have a moral right to do that?"
I don't know about moral, but yes, you should have a legal right to wear it. You should have a legal right to wear a cross, mogan david, blue donkey, whatever..even a swastika, heck, for all I know it may be a buddist or indian swastika you are wearing.

You asked: "Or how about a big t-shirt that says "kill all muslims", because thats my right??"
Sure if you want to wear it. It's your choice how you wish to exercise your first admendment right of free speech.

You stated: "Face the facts that a burqua will forever be a reminder of the muslim oppression of women ESPECIALLY in afghanistan. (where they are still practicly forced to wear them)

I hope you are aware that in certain muslim countries if a woman goes out without a head scarf she will get arrested? Anyway ill love to see your justification of that."

You are very correct, these rules do exist as in Saudi Arabia. As I have stated before, Government and culture are not the same as the religion. Oppression of any man or woman is against the spirit of Islam. Many times these states enact laws that are in accord with culture or the agenda of a elete few, not in accord with Quran or Hadeeth. It may suprise you that the quran teaches against kings and dictators and instead mandates an electorial methoid of selection! A right to vote for your leaders, a right that was extended to women in the time of the Prophet 1400 years ago.

I find the forcing of wearing the Berka or Hijab just as untasteful as your desire to force the opposite. I cannot justifiy what is clearly wrong according to Quran and Hadeeth. It is up to our Islamic Brothers and Sisters around the world to address and correct these errors.

I myself am pro-choice on this issue. It is my sister's decision to wear Hijab. Not mine, not yours. I shall support my sisters, regardless of their decision.

[Sideways]

49. Ebardi the Iranian woman given the Nobel Peace Prize

Said Islam is not about oppressing women PATRIARCHY is. That is a message to ALL fundies Asscrack and Sharon included. The "Islam is bad for/towards women" paradigm needs to be broken.

After living in the ME for 19 months I only wish western women got 1 tenth of 1 percent the respect that Omani women get.

[IranianDemocrat]

50. Hijab is a symbol of backwardness, opression, and sexism.

Don't wear them.

[PsychoDad]

51. If that is your opinion...

Don't wear one.

If you are someone who wishes to wear one, wear it.

QED

[magnolia]

54. Some people just don't get that it's about freedom!

It's not about a piece of cloth...it's about the freedom to wear or not wear whatever you damn well please! Good points PsychoDad. They argue about people being forced to wear certain items, but then try to force their views about those items on others...it's all the same.

[Cat Atomic]

55. Speaking as a fan of fashion, I'd suggest adopting the

Afghanis' hat. You know- that flat thing? Sort of looks like a very thick beret that's mated with a turban? That is one slick looking hat.

I'd wear one of those.