What a Load of Codswallop!

Of all the ridiculous craps that jumped out of yesterday's newspaper headlines (and there were a few to begin with), it had to be the silly comment about school uniforms worn by girls at government schools.

Munirah Bahari, vice-president of National Islamic Students' Association of Malaysia (NISAM), was quoted as saying those white blouses (worn with pinafores) and kurungs were sexy and could encourage rape and pre-marital sex.

She added that some girls purposely wore transparent white blouses as "tools to lure men", and called for a review of the uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals.

Come again? Let's not make public statements that could open ourselves to ridicule, shall we? With all due respect, Ms Munirah is talking bollocks; it is this kind of myopic view that makes Islam look as kolot (dated) as her thinking.

I agree wholeheartedly with Women's Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah's response that what was needed was "a review of misguided beliefs about women's attire," not a review of the uniform policy as called upon by Ms Myopia.

There is nothing wrong with the school uniforms. The fabric is cotton, which is ideal for the tropics. Many girls also wear camisoles underneath their blouses or kurungs. And if some do wear transparent blouses, there is that apron-like pinafore to provide a decent cover.

Lest Ms Myopia forgets, rape happens to all women - young, old, tudung-clad, miniskirted, even infants in diapers - and pre-marital sex has nothing to do with sheer blouses.. sheer, unbridled lust, perhaps.

If NISAM is serious about upholding the modesty of Muslim women, I suggest they take a look closer home - at those tudung-clad Muslim girls studying in higher institutions, many of whom strutting about in skin-tight blouses and jeans, leaving nothing to imagination.

Go tell them not to insult their headcover by exposing their dada (chest) and kelengkang (groin). Tell them it doesn't do to tutup atas, bukak bawah (cover the top, expose the bottom); THAT's not Islamic.