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One of the renowned nuclear physicists has changed the perception of a woman in Pakistan who chooses to cover herself with a veil.
The issue blew up last week when renowned nuclear physicist Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy made anti-remarks about women wearing hijab in educational institutes.
Hoodbhoy believed that hijab-clad students rarely ask any question in class because they don’t have any confidence at all, according to him. Well, this statement was enough to trigger social media users.
In no time, netizens got busy analysing Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s comments about hijab-wearing women being ‘not normal’ and decided to school him. But on what basis a renowned nuclear physicist made such remarks?
Who is Pervez Hoodbhoy?
Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy is a Pakistani nuclear physicist and activist concerned with the promotion of freedom of speech, secularism and education in the country.
In 2013, he was made a member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament. Currently he serves as Zohra and ZZ Ahmed Foundation distinguished professor at the Forman Christian College in Lahore Pakistan.
He is an activist who had previously taught physics at the Quaid-e-Azam University. He remains one of Pakistan’s most prominent academics. Hoodbhoy is generally considered one of the most vocal, progressive, and liberal members of the Pakistani intelligentsia.
Hoodbhoy’s anti-hijab remarks
Earlier this week, during a talk show, Hoodbhoy, who was in the middle of giving an interview talked about women who wear hijab in educational institutes.
Hoodbhoy spoke that he started teaching in 1973 and rarely saw any woman on campus with hijab. Now, hijabi and burqa-clad women have outnumbered ‘normal’ girls in educational institutes, he was quoted as saying.
Pervez Hoodbhoy narrated, “Most of the time, it is even hard to notice whether they are even in classrooms. Earlier, female participation in class discussions was still low but now it is non-existent,” he added.
The nuclear physicist did not mince any words while drawing a clear distinction between ‘normal girls’ and the ones clad in burqa and hijab. He also emphasised how a forced conservative dress code not only curtails individual freedom but also the ability of a woman to freely ask questions and resolve her queries.
The nuclear physicist said, “I have seen some books, where girls and their mothers were shown fully covered and sitting on the floors. When such girls will see women not ‘covered’ in such a manner elsewhere, she would believe that it is wrongdoing on the part of the woman.”
Pakistani female anchor’s unique protest
TV anchor Kiran Naz protested against the anti hijab remarks made by Dr. Hoodbhoy in a unique way. Naz, during a live show, wore a hijab during a live TV show in solidarity with the hijabi women. Naz, who never appeared on the show in a hijab or burqa, began to defend the ‘Islamic cultural practice’.
She argued that that woman who ‘choose’ to wear burqa or hijab is not ‘abnormal’ in any manner. According to Naz, she does not wear hijab but hijab is part of Pakistani culture.
Angry netizens
Since this incident, many social media users have criticised Dr Hoodbhoy for his one-sided views despite teaching at the university level for decades.
Hoodbhoy is Khalil ur Rehman Qamar of Left. Period!
Both are terrible!
— Abdur Rehman (@AR_Dakhil) September 15, 2021
Bay #Hoodbhoy see the another successful girl in hijab.
“Ginte jao aur sharmatay jao” #SamaaTV #JummahMubarak #HijabIsObligatory #kirannaz #گستاخ_صحابہؓ_کیلئےقانون_بناؤ pic.twitter.com/EWN0QGL8LZ
— Rubina (@RubinaViews) September 17, 2021
The choice of his words was very derogatory for women with hijab. I started wearing hijab a few years back and I have been working for more than fifteen years. I don’t think my hijab has ever stopped me from giving my point of view. Really disappointed! #Hoodbhoy pic.twitter.com/C3QqlD7Rh0
— Mariam Altaf (Wear a Mask to Stay Safe) (@mariamaltaf79) September 16, 2021
In a world full of liberalism, be like #KiranNaz
Appreciated ❤️✨#SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/BtPFbyL2Vs— Rameez Raheem (@meez_rameez) September 17, 2021
Literally myopic remarks by.Hijab or veil doesn’t impact the class participation. One of my fellow wear abaya or hijab she actively participated & topper throughout Msc & now mphil.She is one of the most outspoken girl i hv ever encountered @tariqdiru1 @Inayat01 @Danishw63728552 https://t.co/x2kdL8Fokt
— Mubasher Basharat (@Mubashe67602710) September 16, 2021
