Anonymous asked:
That was really beautiful - the post about Jolie in Pakistan for the floods. You're one of the most sensible Muslim women on Tumblr. I learn so much from your blog. =) I have a q. I have plans of going to Pakistan as a tourist. Mind you I'm white, female and agnostic. Do I have to wear the "chador"? IF I do, what happens? IF I don't, what happens? How conservative is it for women there?
Thanks for asking.
It isn’t as conservative as the international media portrays it to be. It’s fairly liberal considering its neighbors in the west - Iran and Afghanistan (note: Their portrayal in the media is highly narrowed and generalized as well). You are not obliged to wear a chadar, burka, duppata, scarf, hijab, what-have-you. There are moral police but then that’s inevitable and can be tackled rationally.
Given your description, you won’t be asked to ‘cover’ yourself. You’re seen as a tourist and will be left alone - unless you offend TTP supporters but I suppose you won’t. Sometimes I go out without a chador, without a dupatta and there’s no reaction. Women are free to dress as they please. In most cases.
