From the Austrian news service
Der Standard comes this story of prejudice against and stereotyping of women who wear the hijab in Austria. Many thanks to JLH for the translation:
The Woman With the Hijab
by Güler Alkan March 31, 2010
Two Young Women Who Wear a Hijab Speak About Prejudice, Resentment and Their Views on Successful Integration
In the integration debate, the wearing of a hijab is often interpreted as a sign of “unwillingness to integrate,” because it is based on gender inequality. But what about women who say they do it of their own free will? And if, moreover, they speak excellent German and have completed higher education degrees? Two young women who wear a hijab, and do not fit into the pattern of suppression by father or husband, speak out.
The Cliché of the Foreigner
Esma and Meryem were born and raised in Austria. They speak perfect German and are studying at the University of Vienna. Esma is in Turkish Studies, Meryem in Education with a primary concentration in German. What do they have to say about hijab-wearers being oppressed? “It is a paradox. If that were true, I would not have the freedom to study or work,” responds Meryem, who also works at bfi [school for practical education to advance careers].
The Turkish Studies student thinks that it is equal treatment of natives and foreigners that causes anxiety. Previously, immigrants were subordinated. Today, they might do the same jobs as Austrians. She explains the strong resentment against immigrants as follows: “We are already integrated, but we stand behind our Turkish identity. I am not an Austrian. I am a Turk in Austria. That is disturbing.”
Integration With Hijab?
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These two students do not see the hijab as an obstacle to integration. “If I wear a hijab, that does not mean that I am any more a foreigner than anyone else,” Esma emphasizes. Both of them complain that the debate is really about religion, i.e., Islam, which is seen as an obstacle to integration.
Meryem does not understand why she as a person is reduced to religious faith: “There are things other than religion that go to make up a person.” The student of education is also sure that people would think differently of them, if they “were to get to know us better.” Do both sides want to get to know each other better? Their answer: “If they do not come to us, we will go to them.”
10 comments:
What's the problem with it?
She is a austrian turk, they see the world better than we do.
In the integration debate, the wearing of a hijab is often interpreted as a sign of “unwillingness to integrate,” because it is based on gender inequality. But what about women who say they do it of their own free will? And if, moreover, they speak excellent German and have completed higher education degrees?
Who gives a rip about whether it is voluntary or not? They are still trying to normalize the wearing of a disguise in public. Once it becomes an accepted practice to do so, expect that Muslim males will begin using said attire in the commission of criminal acts, just like what has been happening in England.
Part of integrating into the West is adopting its societal norms. One of those norms includes agreeing that people should cooperate in deterring crime by foregoing the concealment of one's visage while in public.
Any inability to comprehend and accept the importance of this practice should be construed as being unwilling to integrate or assimilate.
It's up to the native austrians to decide if there is such a thing as a turk in Austria. If they want this bizarre practice then it is okey by me but if they don't like it, then the turks should leave Austria.
I wonder if the native Austrians recall the last time the Turks were in Austria?
Well, she does have it right, she is a Turk living in Austria. And hence, she isn't an Austrian national and there are grounds for deportation. lol
Robin,
There are slovenians in austria, hungarians, why not turks?
These people knows best. They are Turks. What really dosen't exist in austria is austrians, because there's not even an austrian language! There are germans in austria and lots of other peoples. Now if austrian citizans want to deport these dual citizens is up to them.
Rocha, Slovenes and Hungarians are Austria's immediate neighbours, and were all once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The last time Turks were in Austria, they were there as invaders. Much like they are today.
In hoc signo vinces
As with the large Paki diaspora in U.K. the danger of the Turk/Austro "identity" is that it gives Turkey leverage to impose on and interfere in Austrian sovereignty.
4Symbols: As with the large Paki diaspora in U.K. the danger of the Turk/Austro "identity" is that it gives Turkey leverage to impose on and interfere in Austrian sovereignty.
Which is the entire raison behind why Muslims maintain their prior national identities. It makes it so much easier for them to go sobbing back to their native governments whining about "Islamophobia" and how they are being "discriminated" against by all the people that they latch onto like so many blood ticks.
Hijab, the Islamic religious women is a command that must be obeyed. It should be understood by those outside the religion of Islam. hijab is not synonymous with radicalism and terrorism and if there is an impression eklusifme.Please visit my web site at www.edi.winarto.com
Simak
Baca secara fonetik
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