Hijab — Page 138
138 that when some elderly women who had newly come from Pakistan to join their children in Australia, sa that their girls are not observing Purda, they advised them to at least wear modest clothing and a scarf. To this these girls replied that it is illegal to observe Purda here, and you also have to take it off. So, being scared of the law, these elderly women who had observed Purda all their lives had to remove it, as they were scared that it is a crime. While in fact there is no such law over there, nor is it a crime. There is no restriction and neither does anyone pay attention to it. Only for the sake of fashion, some young girls and women have abandoned Purda. A young woman from Pakistan who came to Australia after getting married wrote to me that she was also forcibly made to give up Purda or perhaps she was also influenced by the surroundings and gave it up. When I was there on a visit, she wrote that when she listened to my address to the ladies, she had her Burqa (outerwear coat) on and since then she is continuing to wear it and is firm on it and is making efforts and praying that she remains steadfast. She also requested prayers. So, Purda is being abandoned because repeated reminders are not given about this Qurānic injunction, nor is it talked about in the homes. For practical reformation, it is essential to talk about vice and virtue repeatedly. ” (Friday Sermon, December 20, 2013 at Baitul Futuh mosque London, Al-Fazl International, January 10, 2014) Through his addresses and sermons, Huzoor Anwar atba has drawn the attention of women to his guidance about attaining the pleasure of Allah the Almighty by maintaining the spirit of Purda. At one occasion, he wrote: “If a woman does not care about Purda and in the footsteps of Europe wears dresses similar to their attire and adopts an identical fashion, and in doing so portrays herself as enlightened and progressive, then it is a misconception. Remember that Islam is