« The Veil » Dawud Wharnsby Ali. Copyright 1999 Sound Vision LP. From the Sound Vision documentary 'Hijab: An Act of Faith'
Real audio clip

Introduction

Attention !! Cette chanson ouvre de nouvelles perspectives sur le voile!

1. Comment cette chanson présente-telle de nouvelles perspectives sur le voile?
2. Que pensez-vous de ce message ? Pourquoi ?

Caution!! This song opens up new perspectives on the veil!

1. How does this song present new perspectives on the veil?
2. What do you think of this message? Why?

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Lyrics

They say, "Oh, poor girl, you're so beautiful you know
It's a shame that you cover up your beauty so."
She just smiles and graciously responds reassuringly,
"This beauty that I have is just one simple part of me.
This body that I have, no stranger has the right to see.
These long clothes, this shawl I wear, ensure my modesty.
Faith is more essential than fashion, wouldn't you agree?

This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.

They tell her, "Girl, don't you know this is the West and you are free?
You don't need to be opressed, ashamed of your femininity."
She just shakes her head and she speaks so assuredly,

"See the bill-boards and the magazines that line the check-out isles, with their phony painted faces and their air-brushed smiles?
Well their sheer clothes and low cut gowns are really not for me.
You call it freedom, I call it anarchy."

This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.
Lift the veil from your heart and seek the heart of purity.