Fatwā me baby

[fuckmeat]

So, through no fault of my own, this week I developed an entirely new fetish, one that may well get me killed.

I missed a train and had to wait nearly an hour on a train platform at a tiny station with no ticket office or waiting room. I left my sunscreen at home. The sun was blazing straight at my face. There was no shade anywhere. I have very fair skin and in less than 20mins I knew I couldn't sit there an hour without suffering third degree burns.

It was a tiny station.

I was completely alone.

No, I didn't masturbate! They have CCTV.

I had a light scarf around my neck and I wound up with no choice but to cover my head with it and shade my face. Like I said, I have very fair skin and the sun was blazing. I was therefore wearing a light but long sleeved top and trousers... modest, one might say.

A short while before the next train arrived, so did some other people. They stayed at the opposite end of the train platform to me. I got a couple looks but dismissed it. I didn't even realise what I'd done.

Until my train pulled in and I stood up to board it, clocking my own reflection in the window, wearing modest clothes with a scarf over my head and hair, Muslim style. This I might add, was in a rural village, miles from a more diverse city centre.

People openly stared at me.

British people never stare at anyone while on pubic transport. National etiquette dictates that you make eye contact with no-one. You politely pretend that everyone else simply isn't there. Even on a crowded train. Unless and until you need someone to move to let you pass (for which you always apologise profusely) you look at your phone, a paper, the floor, the door, or out the window.

By then I felt stupid, way too stupid to come out from behind my hijab or sunglasses. But the scarf was very light and I could see through the gauzy material in the sunlight. In the tiny carriage with me were some boys aged maybe 12 or 14 who glared at me and expressed negative views about Al-Qa'ida. Two middle aged women sat together immediately struck up a conversation about Islamic terrorism, while shooting suspicious looks at my shopping. Everyone seemed to find me fascinating. Then then the conductor came along selling tickets. He took one look at me and assumed I must be foreign, so he spoke very slowly to me at the top of his voice, drawing even more attention my way.

When I disembarked at my station, I got watched by one of the station's staff all the way along the platform to the toilets. There seemed to be some kind of force-field that prevented people from moving within three feet of me.

In the toilet I loitered for ten minutes, put the scarf in a bag and put on a cardigan. I only hope the fact that the 'muslim woman' didn't re-emerge didn't get the whole station evacuated.

It deeply shocked me. The whole ordeal was very intimidating, even for just the short journey I made. It makes me feel very sorry for Muslim women who wear hijabs or niqabs in western society.

But I have to say it, the humiliation whore in me was captivated by the experience.

 

[gagginforit]

Recently in New Zealand two bus drivers were required to go to sensitivity counselling for refusing to allow fully covered Muslim women onto their buses. It's caused a bit of a debate about PC gone mad, double standards, and religious prejudice.

I'm in two minds about it because I feel for the women, one of them was a young girl who was reduced to tears that that's awful. But I'm not sure it was religious discrimination, because you have to ask if a non Muslim person tried to board the bus, for instance someone wearing a ski mask or a motorcycle helmet and goggles, would they be allowed on? If they would NOT be allowed on the it's not religious discrimination. In fact if we expect a Muslim women to wearing a face veil or a burka to be able to board a bus or stand in a line at the bank where it would not be acceptable for someone wearing some other kind of face covering, then it's preferential treatment for that religion, and I think that's wrong as well.

Both drivers claimed to have phobia about masks, and that's why they didn't allow them to board.

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

I think you are on to something here! Do you realize how many Londoners would kill for a fool proof way to get a train carriage to themselves? To not have to stand in line? Have the Loo all to themselves? Brilliant!

 

[EnglishEm]

Recently in New Zealand two bus drivers were required to go to sensitivity counselling for refusing to allow fully covered Muslim women onto their buses. It's caused a bit of a debate about PC gone mad, double standards, and religious prejudice.

I'm in two minds about it because I feel for the women, one of them was a young girl who was reduced to tears that that's awful. But I'm not sure it was religious discrimination, because you have to ask if a non Muslim person tried to board the bus, for instance someone wearing a ski mask or a motorcycle helmet and goggles, would they be allowed on? If they would NOT be allowed on the it's not religious discrimination. In fact if we expect a Muslim women to wearing a face veil or a burka to be able to board a bus or stand in a line at the bank where it would not be acceptable for someone wearing some other kind of face covering, then it's preferential treatment for that religion, and I think that's wrong as well.

Both drivers claimed to have phobia about masks, and that's why they didn't allow them to board.

The muslim religion does not demand that women cover their faces, it's a choice and not a requirement.

Therefore, I personally believe that all countries should follow France's example and ban the face veil.

As you say, if a man or woman tried to board a bus or even enter a post office or bank wearing a crash helmet or ski mask, they would instantly fall under suspicion and be required to leave.

 

[fuckmeat]

Well I'm a jaded little slut, so when something new stirs me it's a rare occurrence.

But yeah, I find the concept of being objectified by a whole community quite compelling right now.

People's dislike and distrust was potent. Nobody even tried to conceal it. It's something I've never experienced before and hopefully never will again. It was an eye opener, definitely. We all tell ourselves we're not prejudiced but statistically, we have a right to be. Not all Muslims are terrorists but here in the UK 99% of terrorists are Muslims. I know I don't act like that towards Muslims but I can understand the climate we're in and how the less... cultured and intelligent shall we say, respond with open prejudice like that.

But the feeling of being suspected, monitored, openly discussed as though I was deaf and didn't know a word of English, glared at, avoided... plus knowing the scarf made me stick out like a sore thumb. I am a short woman. I'm not usually in most people's line of sight but everyone noticed me.

Of course, with Muslim fanaticism it's not your common or garden variety discrimination. People in westernised societies targeted by Islamic terrorists, terrotists who are prepared to detonate themselves in the pursuit of global Sharia law fear people in traditional Muslim dress. It's a very different thing from say, socially accepted racism towards blacks in America until relatively recent years, when the white people had little to fear from them. That's not to belittle the victims of any kind of RL xenophobia, any more than my non-consensual storylines belittle the RL victims of rape and domestic abuse.

Everyone I know has no prejudice against Muslims per se. Everyone I know understands the difference between a peaceful religious devotee and an extremist. Everyone I know however, is cautious as a commuter. What 9/11 did to America 7/7 did to the UK. Here, buses, trains and the subway were directly targeted. Ironically, all footage of terrorists on their way to blow themselves up shows that when carrying out a task like that, they tend to dress like westerners, to attract less negative attention.

I also find the idea of very modest dress interesting, as it would hide any marks of domestic abuse. It must also make the wearer feel as though they are trying to be invisible and being able to observe the responses in others from behind a head covering, face veil or sunglasses is also appealing to me. People assuming you can't understand what they're saying about you or about your ethnicity/religion/whatever. Needing to be unobtrusive and to behave with a certain degree of humility in order for others to interact with you for any reason. Then to go home to a different kind of subjection, with entirely different motives.

It made me think that it must be a terrible life for a Muslim woman living in a western country who has an abusive spouse. Her religion/cultural group regard her as chattel, her husband regards her as a sex slave and society treats her as a pariah. I mean that is some fucking shitty luck.

Fact of the matter is that I have zero control over what revs my engine and I've long since given up apologising for it.

 

[Stanstheman]

An interesting insight.

 

[baphemetis]

First, thank you fuckmeat for sharing your experience with us.

I want to address the New Zealand issue of refusing Muslim women. This is a ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous situation that stems out of pure ignorance and can be remedied by education. It is perfectly legal for women who wear the niqab to reveal their faces if circumstances warrant it. All a cab driver has to do is ask.

For example, if a bank needs to see a woman's face to match her ID when she makes a transaction, it's perfectly fine for her to remove her veil. It is preferable to reveal her face to a woman if that's possible, but if it's not, (like in the cab example) that's perfectly fine too.

So this security business about ski-masks and whatnot is nonsense. A cab driver can explain the situation, and politely ask that the woman reveal her face for the duration of the ride for safety reasons.

Now, on to the issue of banning the niqab because it's a choice. This is just as ridiculous. Muslims are not the only women who veil. Veiling is practiced in varying degrees by Jews and Christians as well. Women who wear a niqab are doing so in imitation of the wives of Mohammad because that is the way they dressed. They are doing something extra for their religious beliefs. It's no different than when a Catholic does extra fasting during Lent or when a Buddhist eschews all meat products.

If a woman or anyone wants to do something extra for their religious beliefs, it's none of anyone else's business. It's between her and God.

It made me think that it must be a terrible life for a Muslim woman living in a western country who has an abusive spouse. Her religion/cultural group regard her as chattel, her husband regards her as a sex slave and society treats her as a pariah. I mean that is some fucking shitty luck.

While this type of a situation is certainly a possibility and I am sure that it happens, it is not the goal of the hijab to hide abuse. Nor does Islam regard women as "chattel" or "pariahs".

Islam was actually a liberating event for women. Islam recognizes men and women as equals. The Koran states (Surah 3:195) "And the Lord has accepted (their prayers) and answered them (saying): 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you be he (or she) male or female; you are members, one of another.'"

With the advent of Islam, for the first time women could own property, run a business, inherit wealth, and take charge of her own money. According to Islam, a woman's money is her own to do with as she pleases. Her husband has no say in how to spend it. In matters of inheritance, the men are entitled to a larger share, but they are expected to be responsible for the care of their wives, children and elders. The larger share reflects a larger responsibility and greater expectations. No one, not even a husband, brother or father, can deny a woman her rightful inheritance under Islam.

I am sure you have heard stories where women are oppressed. This is not Islam. This is usually due to cultural practices of the country in question. Not every people or society lives up to the ideals of their religion. I am sure you know many Christians who are hypocrites, thieves, or liars. Is this the fault of Christianity? Or are these people in disobedience of their own religion?

The same goes for men who oppress or abuse women in Islamic societies. They are in disobedience to Allah (SWT) and they will have to answer for it.

On a final note:

Fact of the matter is that I have zero control over what revs my engine and I've long since given up apologising for it.

No apologies required, not for me anyway. I'm in the same boat as you. Some strange things turn me on. I've learned to accept them. Many of my fetishes are not things I would do in real life, but yes, I get off fantasizing and role-playing. I'm glad this experience was so eye-opening and so exhilarating for you.

 

[Mirya]

Read it. Fascinated by it.

I've worked in a city with a predominantly Muslim population once, and have an idea of what happened to you. People in the street stared at me as though I had a rubber cock strapped to my forehead. Others stared simply as though they would very much like to kill me on the spot... I'll never forget the look on one boys' face.

I wish I could walk in your shoes for a while and feel what's it like to be aroused, in public, by something like that. It must be an interesting feeling.

Also, I like to hide my face sometimes. Letting my hair down, wearing a hat, sunglasses and staring at the ground with my headphones on gives me a sense of privacy to the thoughts inside my head.

Also also, I've fantasized about being a wife in such a rough and unforgiving culture. I bet the day to day life is garbage, but the sexual fantasy is very appealing.

 

[PleasePeesMe]

You make two excellent points. This one - It made me think that it must be a terrible life for a Muslim woman living in a western country who has an abusive spouse. Her religion/cultural group regard her as chattel, her husband regards her as a sex slave and society treats her as a pariah. I mean that is some fucking shitty luck.
And the not all Muslims are terrorist, but (in the UK) 99% of terrorists are Muslims.
As an Englishman I hate to say this, but I'm with the French; when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

 

[Lost_Yonder]

Fascinating thread, if not also very disturbing. As an interesting sidenote - the grand Shaikh of Al Azhar university in Cairo - the oldest university in the world - issued a fatwa some years ago that Muslim women in western, non-Muslim countries should not wear the veil, for, as the OP experienced, it draws greater attention to one's self. The idea of the veil is to avoid unwanted gazes, not attract them!

A second sidenote is that there is a huge difference between veiling and wearing the niqab (the face cover). Covering one's hair with a veil is traditional in most societies including the entire Mediterreanian region - north and south.

What I find most intriguing by the thread is not the OP, but the responses. First, everyone immediately throws in their opinions, mostly uninformed, about Islam - but not one person addresses the depth of bigotry and racism in British society that the OP exposes/experiences! strange...

Second, there are many responses that can be made to various posts on their opinions about Islam and Muslims, though baphemetis does a fairly good job. One addition, how strange it seems that "we" in the west tout secularism yet want the state to regulate people's religion for them... Seems a bit contradictory if not out right hypocritical.

Third, through her experience fuckmeat articulates a depth of empathy - too bad the rest of us can't learn from that.

Fourth, it most interesting is that ultimately the OP is not about Muslim women, but the experience of humilation, exposure that somehow "revs" her engine. What if she had, in her rush, forgotten to put on her bra and went out in a transparent blouse, her breasts on display. I'm sure she would have gotten an equal amount of staring and comments, and thus humiliation as a "slut", a "whore". What would the responses been then? "Oh, how I feel sorry for those Christian women who have to expose themselves, objectfy their bodies to attract mates!"??? I doubt it...

The exprience of humilaition as a fetish is the issue raised by the OP, that demands some sort of exploration...