None of the niqab-wearing women who I know, wear it because they have been forced to. They see it as an act of devotion to their Creator: the culmination of a spiritual journey. In fact most of them are women who were born and brought up in the UK; many are White or Afro-Caribbean Muslim converts to Islam who have chosen to observe it. The hijab, niqab and abaya are outer garments and are worn only when outdoors or in the presence of men who are not close relatives and so, contrary to popular belief, underneath their robes, in family and female-only settings Muslim women are often very fashion conscious and outgoing. They dress in everyday clothing; they get their hair done, go on holiday and even buy lingerie!

2. Women who wear the niqab cannot possibly contribute to society

People are surprised to hear that niqab-wearers come from varied vocational backgrounds. They include doctors, teachers, dentists, authors, social workers, university graduates, lecturers and more. They usually prefer to work in a female environment and so would not wear the face-veil all the time. Other women say that wearing the niqab actually makes them feel more comfortable when they are working with men. It is ironic that the very women who are the subject of debate are far from being a burden on society: they don’t get drunk and disorderly, don’t smoke and are likely to be very good citizens. Many of them are full-time mothers who take pride in raising well-educated children who will be an asset to British society.

3. The niqab isn’t in the Qur’an

The Qur’anic worldview presents a complete system of living, which permeates the daily lives of observant Muslims. This includes everything from rituals of personal hygiene, advice on neighbourly behaviour and animal rights to regulations for dress. Some women see the niqab as a religious obligation, others, as an act of worship following in the footsteps of notable Muslim women of the past. Numerous verses in the Qur’an contain directives for Muslim women’s dress, amongst them:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the Believers to draw their outer garments all over their bodies. That will be better, so that they may be known and so as not to be annoyed, and God is Ever-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (33:59)

The Qur’an was interpreted by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his disciples and their teachings form the basis of Islamic law. There are two orthodox schools of thought with regards to the interpretation of this verse. One orthodox interpretation is that it means covering the whole body including the face. The other school of thought is that, though not obligatory, covering the face is a virtue.

4. Wearing the niqab implies that all men are predatory

Just as locking our doors at night doesn’t imply that all members of society are burglars, wearing the niqab doesn’t imply that all men are predatory.

The Islamic worldview recognises that attraction between men and women exists and, if left unharnessed, has the potential to break down the moral fabric of society. It also acknowledges the physiological and physical differences between men and women and therefore Islamic legislation for dress and behaviour reflect these differences and aid adherents to avoid situations that could lead to extra-marital sexual relations. Hence both men and women have been commanded to lower their gazes and given directives on dress.

5. The niqab poses a security risk at banks and airports

By simply going to the side and showing their faces and ID to female members of staff, Muslim women who wear the niqab, have been, for decades, passing through airport security in major airports all over the world without cause for security concern. The same sort of arrangement can be made for any situation where ID needs to be checked.

6.Niqab wearers can’t possibly be teachers.

There are many highly qualified and experienced Muslim teachers. A Muslim teacher, who wears the niqab, would not need to do so if men were not present, therefore many female Muslim teachers choose to teach women or children and uncover their faces whilst teaching.

7. Banning the niqab will free those Muslim women who are coerced into wearing it.

Banning the face-veil would be totally counter-productive: it would cause many Muslim women to feel targeted and persecuted and is likely to cause many talented women to withdraw from society. The majority of niqab-wearing women in Europe, wear it out of personal choice, so if, for the sake of a suspected minority, the niqab was to be banned, this would be clear discrimination against the majority. If we want to empower women from any community who are oppressed or abused, effective public services where such abuse can be reported need to be made more available and accessible to the women involved.

Source: Muslim Matters

Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, told the press that she plans on making Malaysia the center of Muslim fashion by hosting fashion shows featuring outfits inspired by Islamic art and values, Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported.

Abayas are the newest fashion craze in Paris (Courtesy of Saks’ fashion show) Mansor noted that the Islamic fashion shows held in Malaysia feature top designers from both the Muslim world and the West. State institutions usually organize the shows in hopes of promoting Islamic dress, known for its modesty. “The clothes displayed are suitable for both Muslims and non-Muslims,” she said. “Most clothes are inspired by Islamic art with a touch of Malaysian art. Malaysia is amongst Muslim countries that are keen on preserving their art and heritage.” The leading lady said she hopes to change stereotype about the way Muslim women dress and prove a woman can be elegant and modest at the same time.

Models at the Abaya Couture fashion show in Dubai “Islam includes all aspects of life without extremism or harshness. It is a religion for every time and place.” The Ministry of Tourism organized a major Islamic fashion show as part of its its 10th annual Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival. The show featured a variety of Islamic clothes with Malaysian, Arabic, and Turkish designs. The fashion show also included men’s clothing featuring Arab and Middle Eastern designs inspired by Islamic art, ornaments and ceramics. Turbans, Arab head scarves commonly worn in the Gulf region and known as “shemagh” or “ghutrah,” and Arabic loose robs were displayed in a modern adaptation suited to everyday life. Muslim fashion appears to be emerging as a significant sector of the fashion industry, with designers from Paris to Dubai creating everything from haute-couture abayas to trendy hijabs. (Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)

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Suit Trends

While suiting and formal-wear trends for men aren’t seasonal and play out over several years, 2009 shall mark a distinct change in the direction of men’s suiting. It comes down to a combination of factors but the likes of the economic downturn, the end of the ‘manorexic’ era, and women’s 1920′s and 1930′s revivals will all play a big part. But make no mistake: it’s the first and last that will be the biggest influence, as well-groomed men look for investment fashion pieces and turn to the classics for inspiration.

So what elements should you look for?

The Cut

Just because there’s a move away from the ‘skinny boy’ suit isn’t to say that the slim look is also out. Suits which seem like they barely leave you room to breath mightn’t be the look going forwards but as we return to classic suiting let’s not forget that the most classic suit is the English one, and that the best English suits have always had a slim, military cut to them.

Consider suits in 2009, 2010 and beyond the perfect fusion between classic tailoring, classic looks, and the modern masculine silhouette;

• broad shoulders
• a slim waist
• slim trousers

Double Breasted Suits

If there’s one thing I’m excited about buying in 2009 it’s a modern, double-breasted suit. I only have one amongst my suit collection, and it’s a Tom Ford for Gucci piece. It’s adorable, but only because of the tailoring work done on it last year that took it from an American box-cut to a slim piece of perfection.

And that slim cut is precisely what you should be looking for in a double-breasted suit in 2009. Broad shouldered with a slim waist, 2009′s double-breasted suits trump most that current generations will be familiar with; they’re no longer about hiding a plump figure but are now tailored to highlight the perfect masculine shape: the V-shaped, well worked body.

When selecting a double-breasted suit look for the “Kent” cut, named after a style popularised by the The Prince George, Duke of Kent, where a longer lapel line extends into the waist. This will convey height and, if cut correctly, a slimmer waist.

Double-breasted inspiration from Chanel

Three-Piece Suits

Let’s face it: the waistcoat has long been a dead item for most men, but thanks to a resurgence in its popularity in men’s street wear the suits’ waistcoat is back with vengeance. Well, not quite vengeance but it’s back, it’s subtle and it’s classic. And that means that in 2009 we’ll witness the return of the three-piece suit, and I couldn’t be more happy. That’s because the three-piece suit has been one of the most under-utilised parts of a man’s wardrobe over the last forty years.

The three-piece in 2009 is all about cohesion; forget the mismatching style prevalent in the early parts of the 20th Century and in the 1980s. The return of the three-piece means that the waistcoat has to be conservative and, thus, in the same fabric as the suit’s other two pieces. If you do want to venture outside the realm of three matching pieces, stick to a similar colour palette and avoid any pattern except for stripes; you may want to pair a pinstripe black suit with a pinstripe charcoal waistcoat.

On selecting the perfect three-piece suit I’d recommend looking for a waistcoat whose V shape breaks somewhere between the sternum and the base of the rib cage. I’ve seen three pieces from the likes of Giorgio Armani which don’t sport the V shape and finish just under the collar, these are going to be a lot harder to wear and ignore the conservative subtlety this revival depends upon. Moreover, such a large waistcoat won’t convey a slim waist as effectively as one with a deeper neck.

Oxford Bags; An Alternate Cut

A classic style yes, but not a long term investment piece. Nevertheless, two or three piece suits with Oxford bags are gradually making a come-back and can easily figure into your 2009 suit purchases. Oxford Bags are loose, pleated trousers first made popular at the British university. The modern take on them sees the loose trousers, though nowhere near as baggy as those worn in the 1920s and 1930s, paired with a fitted waistcoat and/or jacket.

Classic Patterns in 2009

If we’re returning to the classics with double breasted and three-piece suits in 2009, then it stands to reason that we’re also returning to classic cloth patterns. Moreover, the coupling of the classics with the current men’s fashion revitalisation means this is the perfect time to reintroduce patterns into your wardrobe (if you haven’t done so already). The following are classic suit patterns perfect for 2009 and beyond.

Houndstooth

Herringbone

Glenurquhart / Prince of Wales check

Pinstripe

Rope-stripe

Those feeling even bolder may lean towards a chalk-stripe, though it has an early naughties feel to it and I’m not yet sure whether we’ll be working it in the early parts of the next decade.

Tuxedo / Dinner Suit trend for men

Of course, nothing is more classic or ‘formal’ than the dinner suit. But its rules vary greatly to semi-formal and fashion suits so be sure to read our separate articles on fashionable dinner suits / tuxedos, which additionally focuses its pairing with street wear.

Male Celebrities In 2009′s Best Suits

Jude Law: double-breasted perfection

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes; picture perfect?

Choosing The Perfect Suit

Yes, suits in 2009 and 2010 are all about classic elements but there are still plenty of factors away from the trend elements that you have to contemplate. Consider all of the following before making an investment in a suit this year.

How Many Buttons?

The amount of buttons a single-breasted suit jacket should sport is really a matter of personal preference, but let me offer the following.

One Button
A single button falls into the realm of a fashion suit; it’s been a trend before and will go out again. And there’s a reason for it: within reason, the more buttons a suit jacket has the taller a gentleman looks (yet another of the visual tricks a suit can perform). So it stands to reason that a single-buttoned suit does the opposite to conveying stature. So unless you’re over 6′ 2″, I’d suggest you avoid a single-buttoned suit.

Two Buttons
My preference for a modern suit. It conveys height, slims the waist, and fits perfectly within the realm of fashion and classicism.

Three Buttons
Very much a look of the 1990′s, it’s making a come back and has been seen amongst the tailored wares of Tom Ford and Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label. Three buttons convey a greater sense of height than a two button suit, but are harder to pull off. I own several, and wear most of them in a fashion-forward sense. Definitely one for the more confident amongst us.

Four Buttons or more
Please don’t. I’m yet to see any four button suits offered in 2009 which truly impress me, fall within current men’s trends, and will figure in as a good investment piece beyond this year.

The Shoulder

A lot of suit terms can be mixed and matched, but I’m a fan of something I’ve always called the ‘British rolled-shoulder.’ Others might call it something else, but it is effectively where the shoulder padding finishes. A lot of Italian and US based designers prefer to have the shoulder padding finish precisely where the bone does. A British rolled shoulder has the padding extend over the shoulder and roll down into the sleeve, and figures into men’s suiting as another visual trick – this time designed to make the shoulders seem broader and the arms better built.

Vents

This one is really simple: choose a suit with two side vents. The only time to break this rule is if you’re buying a dinner suit.

When tailored correctly a suit jacket with side vents is always preferential due to the perfect silhouette it can provide.

Lapels

Since the mid-20th Century notched lapels on a suit have been the staple, but as we return towards classic tailoring in 2009 we’ll see a return of the peaked lapel. Last at the fore of fashion in the 1920s, the peaked lapel is another of the great visual elements of a men’s suit: it helps convey the much coveted V shape.

That said, notched lapels aren’t out of fashion and both are an equally good investment.

Which Cloth Should You Pick?

The fabric you buy your suit in will be on of the biggest factors in the price you pay, but selecting the right fabric will also play a big factor in whether you buy an investment piece or a one season wonder.

Wool
The clear favourite for suits, but pick carefully. I’ve seen some very expensive wool suits fall apart within a few years due to the cloth being a terrible blend. My personal preference is towards a super-wool, with a thread count somewhere between 120 and 150. I tend towards 150 as it’s often perfect on both cold and hot days. If you live, however, in more extreme climates you’ll need both Winter (200 thread count) and Summer (100 thread count) suits in wool.

Cotton
Cotton can make a beautiful suit, but make no mistake: it’s best only as an informal or fashion suit and, unlike wool, is going to crease like anything. I find it best in colours which aren’t black and grey, tending towards navy and tan. If you’re looking for a good cotton suit in a modern, slim classic then look to Ralph Lauren’s Black Label.

Linen
So many men simply don’t understand linen, and it’s often those of us who have had the luck of a childhood in Europe that may ever truly appreciate it. But a linen suit can be perfect for those hot, humid Summer days. Shy away from it in browns, and wear it in colours such as white and cream and you’ll stand out in a crowd of otherwise dull suit wearers.

One final note on linen: don’t be scared of its penchant for creasing, it’s all a part of the fabric’s charm.

Source: Fashionising

The Swedish corvettes HMS Malmo and HMS Stockholm, which are part of international efforts to fight piracy in the gulf, were ordered to help the cargo ship M/V Antonis after it radioed it was under attack early on Tuesday.

The Gulf of Aden lies off the Horn of Africa north of Somalia and south of Yemen.

A party from the HMS Malmo bordered a fishing vessel used in the attack and seized seven pirates and two guns as well as a GPS navigator, the military said.

No injuries were reported.

Somali pirate activity has continued in recent weeks despite the deployment of warships seeking to deter armed groups marauding in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

Source: Reuters

Tue May 26, 2009 7:19am EDT

The Turkish sailors were swiftly overpowered and the 5,850-ton tanker was diverted to a port in Somalia, where it was held for two months while its owners negotiated a ransom payment.

What the crew could not know was that their ship had been singled out as a target by a network of informers based several thousand miles away – in London. Security officials say well-placed informants in the British capital, the world centre of shipbroking and insurance, gather so much detail on targets that, in the case of the Karagöl, they not only knew its layout, route and cargo, but had spent several days practising the assault.

The attack on the Turkish ship was a sign that the pirates have turned a regional phenomenon into a global criminal business that now reaches into the heart of London’s shipping community.

“They made regular calls from the ship to London,” said Haldun Dincel, general manager of Turkey’s Yardimci shipping company, who negotiated the release of their ship. The calls were made on satellite phones the pirates brought with them.

Speaking by telephone from Istanbul, Dincel said today that London was one of a number of centres the pirates contacted regularly after the tanker had been sailed to the Somali coast and senior gang members had boarded and taken control. “Every day the chief of the pirates got in touch with people from London, Dubai and some from the Yemen,” he said.

At least one of the four or five major pirate groups that are now carrying out the attacks has London-based “consultants” to help them choose their targets, according to a European military intelligence report leaked to Spain’s Cadena SER radio station yesterday.

The report has been circulated around those countries, including Britain, that are involved in the European Union’s Operation Atalanta to protect ships against piracy in the area. It indicated that the hijacking of at least three vessels, including the Karagöl, the Greek cargo ship Titan and Spanish tuna trawler Felipe Ruano, followed tipoffs from the London-centred network of informers, according to Cadena SER.

In each case, according to the report, the pirates had full knowledge of the cargo, nationality and course of the vessel.

It is not clear who these ­”consultants” were, but Dincel believes they may work inside the industry. “They knew the ­vessel, they knew the cargo, they knew the loading ports, they knew the destination, they knew everything,” he said. “The knew their job.”

Andrew Mwangura, who heads the East African’s Seafarer’s Assistance Programme, a piracy monitoring group based in Mombassa, Kenya, said negotiations over hijacked ships often involve Somalis in London. “Not only for the Karagöl, but for many other ships, the negotiations involve people in London,” he said.

The EU report said information being passed to the pirates was often extracted from the international organisations that control or track the world’s shipping.

The national flag of the vessel was also taken into account when choosing a target, with British vessels apparently being increasingly avoided, the report said.

“We have heard this a lot. It strikes me as plausible,” said Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, of Dryad Maritime Intelligence, last night. “They are getting more sophisticated because they are funded by criminal gangs from outside of Somalia.”

He warned, however, that while pirates might receive information on individual targets from London and elsewhere it was still difficult to locate a ship in mid-ocean. Pirates were more likely to receive lists of potential targets so they could identify one if they came across it, he said.

Dincel said he suspected the pirates’ informers had also infiltrated the authorities who run the Suez canal, enabling them to track the Karagöl’s movements from the moment it left the canal.

Dincel himself spoke several times a day to one of two pirate negotiators who had both lived in the US. “One said he had lived there for 10 years,” he said. “The other had graduated from a US college. The ship’s master also said they were educated people.”

Dincel said the chief negotiator had told him over the telephone that all young Somalis wanted to become pirates. “He said that he had a car, money and a house. He has everything and the young people see him, and naturally they ask to be pirates.” In January, Yardimci eventually airlifted money to the pirates to secure the release of the Karagöl and its cargo.

Source: guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 May 2009 20.39 BST

By Robert Verkaik, Law Editor